I even have some small knowledge of phrenology

[Malacandra]

@Chronos

The song can’t have been from Pinafore, because one of the Major-General’s accomplishments is that he “can sing every word of that infernal nonsense Pinafore”.

“whistle every air…”

[BrokenBriton]

Reminded me of Dr Schultz in Django Unchained…

[Chronos]

Aside: If you Google for “Infernal nonsense Pinafore”, the second hit is an SDMB thread.

[Balance]

@DrFidelius

Nope. Not G&S. But there have been any number of variations played on the Major General’s song, depending upon the performers and what is most likely to appear as useless book-learning to the immediate audience.

If the sought-after phrase doesn’t appear in any of them, it should. Perhaps a “mad scientist” version. It would have to be adjusted a bit to fit, however. “I’ve even a passing knowledge of surveys phrenological”?

[Malacandra]

@Chronos

Aside: If you Google for “Infernal nonsense Pinafore”, the second hit is an SDMB thread.

And to correct myself, the words are "whistle all the airs from that infernal nonsense ‘Pinafore’ ". (I auditioned once for Major-General Stanley but didn’t get it. If I’d known who else was auditioning I wouldn’t have even turned up. It was that kind of society.)