February 03, 2003
Minims
One of the books I remember most affectionately from my youth was a very small square paperback entitled Minims. It comprised a series of fifty-odd line drawings, each illustrating a single apparently epigrammatic statement:
The bigger they are, the harder they hit.
Minim (n):a statement expressed in proverbial or sentential form but having no general application or practical use whatever - compare Maxim.
Pigs and goats alike care nothing for the opera.
It has been many years since I lost or gave away this book, which an aunt had given to me one Christmas when I was maybe thirteen or fourteen years old, but I still remember many of the images, and the minims themselves, some of which have, in my mind, almost assumed the status of genuine proverbs, albeit absurd ones.
It is difficult to repair a watch while falling from an aeroplane.
The book's author, Tom Weller, has also written and illustrated works entitled: Science Made Stupid, Culture Made Stupid and a Book of Stupid Questions. One day, I shall have to try tracking down one or more of these.
Time heals all non-fatal wounds.
I'm indebted to Ole at 'about as funny as income tax' for posting a link to an on-line reproduction of the entire book.
The early worm gets eaten by a bird.
The images and captions are copyright © 1982 by Thomas W. Weller.
Fortune favours the lucky.
My good online friend Rimbaud (Australian, not French; Straight, not Gay etc.) is selling his 1st ebook. He is a very good poet and I have been reading his work for years. The book only costs 2 dollars. I haven't received my copy yet but I am sure it is as excellent as his other work.
Info can be found at: http://www.freeopendiary.com/entryview.asp?authorcode=A162952&entry=10234
The early worm gets eaten by a bird.
I LOVE IT! ABSOLUTELY FABULOUS!
LOL! Nice!
will check out Rimbauds book! :)
Science Made Stupid also exists on-line. http://www.besse.at/sms/smsintro.html Don't knwo if it actually is the whole book, because I've never seen one in real physical form -- which is sad and economic as I would probably have had to buy it no matter what the cost.
Posted by: Nicklas on February 5, 2003 10:00 PMOh no!
"The early worm gets eaten by a bird."
I coined that phrase independently in the late 80s. I should have known I wasn't first; it's a tad obviuos, innit? Ah, well.
Posted by: Johan on February 7, 2003 04:49 PMYou can't tell which way the train went by looking at the tracks.
Posted by: T on February 10, 2003 12:11 AMAs the editor that published Minims, I'm pleased to see you remember it so fondly. So do I.
Posted by: Gerard Van der Leun on November 13, 2003 06:44 AM