# Harry Potter & the Order of the Phoenix (Major Spoilers!!!) **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [June 21, 2003, 2:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harry-potter-the-order-of-the-phoenix-major-spoilers/183418 "2003-06-21T14:52:03Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 19
**Author:** ![Miss\_Mapp](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miss_mapp/32/369_2.png) [@Miss\_Mapp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miss_Mapp)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2003, 9:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harry-potter-the-order-of-the-phoenix-major-spoilers/183418/361 "2003-07-05T21:03:27Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by BrotherCadfael \* > \*\*Roger Ebert has promulgated what he calls the “First Law of Funny Names”, which states that funny names aren’t funny, except when used by W.C. Fields or P.G. Wodehouse. > > I think we can add J.K. Rowling to the law. She has an amazing talent for creating hillarious names, each of which is perfectly appropriate to the character: \*\* Odd you should mention Wodehouse and funny names. While there’s no similarity in the characters, I was struck by the name Broderick Bode, which is awfully like Roderick Spode. Coincidence or some kind of joke? But then I also wonder if Mrs. Norris the cat is named after the annoying aunt in Jane Austen’s _Mansfield Park_. ---
**Author:** ![NajaNivea](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/22d042/32.png) [@NajaNivea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NajaNivea)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2003, 9:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harry-potter-the-order-of-the-phoenix-major-spoilers/183418/362 "2003-07-05T21:44:54Z")
I just looked up the books on [amazon.co.uk](http://amazon.co.uk), and see that there are two different versions–an adult version, and a kids’ version. Can anyone tell me what the differences are before I buy the boxed set? Thanks! peace, ~mixie ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2003, 10:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harry-potter-the-order-of-the-phoenix-major-spoilers/183418/363 "2003-07-05T22:02:08Z")
Last time I looked, somewhere on [amazon.co.uk](http://amazon.co.uk) it mentioned that there was no difference in the texts of the two versions; only the cover was different. I can’t find the notice anymore, though; maybe they’re hoping people will buy both versions just in case? ---
**Author:** ![Charlie\_Tan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/charlie_tan/32/12582_2.png) [@Charlie\_Tan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Charlie_Tan)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2003, 10:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harry-potter-the-order-of-the-phoenix-major-spoilers/183418/364 "2003-07-05T22:10:49Z")
Yes, only the cover differs. Seeing how many grown ups read HP for their own sake, the publisher thought it was a good idea to have one edition with a more adult covor, so that guys commuting on the train can read it without being embarrased. ---
**Author:** ![Lamia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/8e7dd6/32.png) [@Lamia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lamia)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2003, 1:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harry-potter-the-order-of-the-phoenix-major-spoilers/183418/365 "2003-07-06T01:31:15Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by MixieArmadillo \* > \*\*I just looked up the books on [amazon.co.uk](http://amazon.co.uk), and see that there are two different versions–an adult version, and a kids’ version. Can anyone tell me what the differences are before I buy the boxed set? > \*\* The adult versions leave in the scenes where Harry and friends experiment with the magic of mushrooms. Just kidding. I wasn’t aware that there were “adult” versions of any but the first book, but it is just the covers that differ. I’ve seen the adult _Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone_, and the cover is a black and white photo of an old-fashioned train (presumably the Hogwarts Express, although of course you can’t tell if it’s red or not in the picture). So if you don’t want the normal illustrated covers that would be the way to go, but other than that it doesn’t matter. ---
**Author:** ![NajaNivea](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/22d042/32.png) [@NajaNivea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NajaNivea)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2003, 2:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harry-potter-the-order-of-the-phoenix-major-spoilers/183418/366 "2003-07-06T02:22:00Z")
About Harry not seeing the thestrals at the end of book four–according to J.K. herself, in a [transcript of the Royal Albert Hall Event](http://home.byu.net/~mdj7/transcript.html) she says: > [@](#): > > SF: Ahh… This is a very good one. Harry saw… This is from someone called Jessica Welds, originally from Australia and now living in London. And, this is her question: Harry saw his parents die. Then why hasn’t he been able to see the thestrals before? > > JKR: I knew I was going to get that one… That is an excellent question, and here is the truth. You know, at the end of Goblet of Fire, we sent Harry home, very… more depressed than he’s ever been, really, leaving Hogwarts. Now I knew that the thestrals were coming, and I can prove that, because they’re in this book that I produced for comic relief, Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them… > > SF: They are. Absolutely right. > > JKR: These are lucky, black, winged horses. But if Harry’d seen them then and not, um, we had (?) explained them then, I thought that would be rather a cheat on the reader, that he’d suddenly seen these monsters, but we don’t go anywhere with that storyline. So, I thought, well… to explain that to myself, I decided that you had to have seen the death, and allowed it to sink in a little bit, before slowly these creatures, um, became, uh, solid (?) in front of you. So that’s how I’m going to sneak past that one. Peace, ~mixie ---
**Author:** ![soakman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e47774/32.png) [@soakman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/soakman)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2003, 2:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harry-potter-the-order-of-the-phoenix-major-spoilers/183418/367 "2003-07-06T02:33:26Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Diceman \* > \*\*Oh, please. I suppose you’ve never acted rashly before? Harry was mad, and he wanted Bellatrix to suffer. That’s as far as his thought processes went. \*\* I’m thinking he wasn’t even that “thoughtful” about it. I would envision something more subconscious and reflexive–he’s now seen the Longbottoms in person, he’s developing a deeper respect for their son, the escape of their attackers has been front page news for a few months…at this moment, he’s confronted with the hated attacker (who he now also knows is related to his godfather) and the gut response is to shout “Cruciatus” as he points his wand. ---
**Author:** ![Diceman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/22d042/32.png) [@Diceman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diceman)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2003, 3:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harry-potter-the-order-of-the-phoenix-major-spoilers/183418/368 "2003-07-06T03:13:59Z")
Re: thestrals. I always kinda figured that it was your emotional reaction to the sight of death that made the thestrals visible. Judging from the Rowling quote above, it sounds like you have to have come to terms with the death before the thestrals become visible. I’d say that three things must happen before you see thestrals 1. You see someone die 2. You feel grief 3. You work thru your grief. Harry was an infant when his parents died. He couldn’t possibly comprehend what was happening, so he couldn’t feel grief. In GoF, we see points #1 and #2, but point #3 hadn’t yet occurred. I understand why Rowling didn’t want to mention the thestrals in GoF, and then do nothing with them. Everyone would be like “WTF? 😕” Random comments: - I hope that Rowling has something planned for that mirror. If it doesn’t become important in the furture, then there was no point in putting it into the story. - I had totally forgotten about the mirror when Harry found it again. - I think that Kreacher is just puttering around in the house all by himself. When Harry talked to him thru Umbridge’s fireplace, he said that he was going to be alone with his mistress (the painting) again. Frankly, I hope that Moody gets a hold of the pint-sized asshole and mounts his head on a plaque next to the others. ---
**Author:** ![BrotherCadfael](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@BrotherCadfael](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrotherCadfael)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2003, 11:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harry-potter-the-order-of-the-phoenix-major-spoilers/183418/369 "2003-07-06T11:42:46Z")
Another note on the First Law of Funny Names: The three exceptions are W.C. Fields, P.G. Wodehouse, and (presumptively) J.K. Rowling. What is there about using your initials that makes it funny to use funny names? ---
**Author:** ![Shalmanese](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/45deac/32.png) [@Shalmanese](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shalmanese)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2003, 5:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harry-potter-the-order-of-the-phoenix-major-spoilers/183418/370 "2003-07-06T17:03:19Z")
Just another thing but did the British or the American version of the book have Ron constantly saying “mate” all the time? It doesnt sound at all like JKR’s wirting at it was especially jarring. ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2003, 5:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harry-potter-the-order-of-the-phoenix-major-spoilers/183418/371 "2003-07-06T17:48:00Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Miss Mapp \* > \*\*Odd you should mention Wodehouse and funny names. While there’s no similarity in the characters, I was struck by the name Broderick Bode, which is awfully like Roderick Spode. Coincidence or some kind of joke? > > But then I also wonder if Mrs. Norris the cat is named after the annoying aunt in Jane Austen’s _Mansfield Park_. \*\* And _I_ had wondered if Colin Creevey might have been a nod to Colin Craven from _The Secret Garden_. If you recall, he _did_ decide to study Magic when he grew up. 🆒 ---
**Author:** ![ISiddiqui](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/97f17d/32.png) [@ISiddiqui](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ISiddiqui)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2003, 6:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harry-potter-the-order-of-the-phoenix-major-spoilers/183418/372 "2003-07-06T18:23:28Z")
> [@](#): > > I hope that Rowling has something planned for that mirror. If it doesn’t become important in the furture, then there was no point in putting it into the story. Well it may have been another ‘How dumb was I’ moment, but I think we might see it again. After all, didn’t he smash it INSIDE of his trunk? So it’s still with him. ---
**Author:** ![SolGrundy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bbce88/32.png) [@SolGrundy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SolGrundy)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2003, 10:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harry-potter-the-order-of-the-phoenix-major-spoilers/183418/373 "2003-07-06T22:24:31Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Johnny L.A. \* > \*\*But how will they learn the expressions if they never hear them? One “pecks” (gives a little kiss) with the lips – which would be the peckers. It’s a very easy thing to understand, so it should be no problem to explain it to a child. And how many kids know what “knocked up” as in “pregnant” is? > \*\* Of course you can explain how the expression is innocuous when it’s used in the context of the book. But then you have to explain why it’s inappropriate to use that expression outside of the U.K. If you just give your definition of “pecker” there, then you’re only giving the kid half the picutre, and IMO it’d be better to just delay the issue until he’s old enough to understand the nuances of what he’s saying. You ask how kids will learn these expressions if they never hear them; I counter by asking why is it necessary for the Harry Potter books to be the only way they’ll hear them? I had never heard “pecker” used in a non-American context until this thread, and it wasn’t until a couple of years ago that I found out why they’re called “fanny packs” if you wear them in front. And as for the “knock you up” business, that was from a friend of mine who was spending her sophomore year of college in England and was very surprised when one of her professors made that offer. My point being: people will hear these expressions eventually. Schoolastic, or some of the other Powers That Be, decided that they’re not going to be the ones to force kids & parents into these types of discussions, and I’ve got to respect that. As long as the original meaning and “flavor” (or, I guess, “flavour”) of the books is maintained. That’s why chaning “Philosopher’s Stone” to “Sorcerer’s Stone” is bad, but changing “peckers” to “spirits” is harmless. ---
**Author:** ![sotally\_tober](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/46a35a/32.png) [@sotally\_tober](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sotally_tober)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2003, 3:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harry-potter-the-order-of-the-phoenix-major-spoilers/183418/374 "2003-07-07T15:03:56Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Shalmanese \* > \*\*Just another thing but did the British or the American version of the book have Ron constantly saying “mate” all the time? It doesnt sound at all like JKR’s wirting at it was especially jarring. \*\* There are Australian Editions??? This is the first time i’m hearing about them…I guess it makes sense, seeing that OotP has been/is being translated into different languages worldwide. The least they could do would be to acount for local variations in English. Anyone knows if this extends to other variances of English? Um… I’m thinking SA English, etc? Related question: has anyone read OotP in languages other than English? If so, are there any variances in the story, plot-wise, names, etc? ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2003, 4:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harry-potter-the-order-of-the-phoenix-major-spoilers/183418/375 "2003-07-07T16:37:19Z")
I’d heard (anecdotally) that the British version of the latest book has hit #1 in France. As in “written in English”. However, when I was in Bologna a couple years ago I did see Italian versions of the first two books. As my Italian language skills are limited to musical terminology, I didn’t feel the need to purchase them. ---
**Author:** ![shelbo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/3d9bf3/32.png) [@shelbo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/shelbo)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2003, 5:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harry-potter-the-order-of-the-phoenix-major-spoilers/183418/376 "2003-07-07T17:26:41Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by MixieArmadillo \* > \*\*I just looked up the books on [amazon.co.uk](http://amazon.co.uk), and see that there are two different versions–an adult version, and a kids’ version. Can anyone tell me what the differences are before I buy the boxed set? > > Thanks! > > peace, > ~mixie \*\* The differences are (i) the cover art, and (ii) the size of the pages and type face. (The “adult” version uses a smaller font, and the pages are somewhat smaller - although the thing is still massively thick.) The actual text is identical to the English children’s version. ---
**Author:** ![Chef\_Troy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/85f322/32.png) [@Chef\_Troy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chef_Troy)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2003, 9:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harry-potter-the-order-of-the-phoenix-major-spoilers/183418/377 "2003-07-07T21:01:37Z")
By the way, I wanted to throw out a wild theory regarding one particular bizarre name JKR bestowed on someone in OotP: Tonks’s first name is Nymphadora. Could it be? Does Nymphadora = “nymph adorer”? In other words, is Tonks gay? OTOH, since she’s described as hating her first name, maybe she’s closeted and/or in denial about it - which makes her shapeshifting ability a nice metaphor for being able to pass for straight. Okay, probably not, but it’s fun to contemplate. ---
**Author:** ![carimwc](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ac8455/32.png) [@carimwc](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carimwc)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2003, 9:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harry-potter-the-order-of-the-phoenix-major-spoilers/183418/378 "2003-07-07T21:21:31Z")
I’ve read the first 3 HP books in French. Some of the names change to fit translation better but otherwise most things stay the same. Madam Pomfrey is Mme Pomfresh and Mrs. Norris is Miss Teigne. Serdaigle is Ravenclaw and Pontsouffle is Hufflepuff. They roughly translate. I couldn’t remember the English names for the longest times after I had read the books. Hmmm, I should go back and read them again. ---
**Author:** ![rocking\_chair](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rocking_chair/32/2918_2.png) [@rocking\_chair](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rocking_chair)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2003, 11:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harry-potter-the-order-of-the-phoenix-major-spoilers/183418/379 "2003-07-07T23:59:19Z")
chef troy, believe it or not nymphadora is a saint name. she shares her day with metrodora, and menodora. when i read this name in the book i almost snorted chocolate all over the page. the three dora’s are celebrated on sept. 23rd for those on julian calendar, and sept. 10th for those on gregorian. and yes, there are major cases of giggles in orthodox sunday schools all over the states and canada when the dora’s are presented in “meet the saints” class. when i was a kiddie chair, 2 friends and i vowed to name a daughter nymphadora. thus far, none of us have daughters. 1 of us has given up on having children and has named her cat nymphadora, nymphy for short. ---
**Author:** ![ajlilhammer225](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/cc9497/32.png) [@ajlilhammer225](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ajlilhammer225)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2003, 7:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harry-potter-the-order-of-the-phoenix-major-spoilers/183418/380 "2003-07-10T19:40:21Z")
hey i havent read the book yet and i dont have time to rread this whole message board, but i have heard a rumor that sanpe falls in love. is it true? lil hammer [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harry-potter-the-order-of-the-phoenix-major-spoilers/183418.md?page=18) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harry-potter-the-order-of-the-phoenix-major-spoilers/183418.md?page=20)