# Obvious things about a creative work you realize after the millionth time (OPEN SPOILERS POSSIBLE) **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [July 24, 2009, 1:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obvious-things-about-a-creative-work-you-realize-after-the-millionth-time-open-spoilers-possible/504117 "2009-07-24T13:20:08Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 181
**Author:** ![TreacherousCretin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/treacherouscretin/32/476_2.png) [@TreacherousCretin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TreacherousCretin)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2020, 10:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obvious-things-about-a-creative-work-you-realize-after-the-millionth-time-open-spoilers-possible/504117/3602 "2020-05-08T22:42:30Z")
> [@mikecurtis](#): > > You’ve barely scratched the surface > [The Origin of Twinkle Twinkle Little Star](https://www.liveabout.com/mozart-origin-twinkle-twinkle-little-star-723916) > > [And here are Mozart’s 12 variations](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9bK9h12Qdvs) Ignorance fought. I always assumed it was Mozart who composed it. And to add to my earlier post- now I’ve got an earworm of my own devise: “The Bear’s A Jolly Good Fellow.” Argh! ---
**Author:** ![thorny\_locust](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thorny_locust/32/431_2.png) [@thorny\_locust](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thorny_locust)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2020, 12:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obvious-things-about-a-creative-work-you-realize-after-the-millionth-time-open-spoilers-possible/504117/3603 "2020-05-09T00:15:25Z")
> [@Little\_Nemo](#): > > When he says _“I finally made a tricky French connection/You winked and gave me your O.K.”_ what does that mean? He had just made a drug deal with the girl and asked her out on a date? “French letter” can be slang for a condom; an item which didn’t use to be as easy to come by as they are now. So one possible meaning is that he’d finally managed to get ahold of contraception, and she agreed to have sex. – the second half of the verse does sound rather like dropping acid to me, though. ---
**Author:** ![Mollie\_Magill](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mollie_magill/32/20882_2.png) [@Mollie\_Magill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mollie_Magill)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2020, 3:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obvious-things-about-a-creative-work-you-realize-after-the-millionth-time-open-spoilers-possible/504117/3604 "2020-05-09T15:06:29Z")
> [@TreacherousCretin](#): > > Ignorance fought. I always assumed it was Mozart who composed it. > > And to add to my earlier post- now I’ve got an earworm of my own devise: “The Bear’s A Jolly Good Fellow.” Argh! “He’ll eat you if you deny.” ---
**Author:** ![TreacherousCretin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/treacherouscretin/32/476_2.png) [@TreacherousCretin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TreacherousCretin)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2020, 6:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obvious-things-about-a-creative-work-you-realize-after-the-millionth-time-open-spoilers-possible/504117/3605 "2020-05-09T18:29:01Z")
> [@Mollie\_Magill](#): > > “He’ll eat you if you deny.” Thank you! I couldn’t figure out that last line. ---
**Author:** ![Shoeless](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shoeless/32/7099_2.png) [@Shoeless](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shoeless)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2020, 1:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obvious-things-about-a-creative-work-you-realize-after-the-millionth-time-open-spoilers-possible/504117/3606 "2020-05-10T13:04:55Z")
Listening to the Beatles “White Album” the other day. In the song “The Continuing Story of Bungalow Bill”, the line “Not when he looked so fierce” is sung in a high falsetto voice. I always assumed it was one of the guys singing in silly fake voice, but I suddenly realized “No, that’s Yoko!” ---
**Author:** ![Robot\_Arm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robot_arm/32/18280_2.png) [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2020, 4:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obvious-things-about-a-creative-work-you-realize-after-the-millionth-time-open-spoilers-possible/504117/3607 "2020-05-10T16:00:13Z")
> [@TreacherousCretin](#): > > Thank you! I couldn’t figure out that last line. “And so say all the moose.” ---
**Author:** ![Irishman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/b487fb/32.png) [@Irishman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Irishman)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2020, 4:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obvious-things-about-a-creative-work-you-realize-after-the-millionth-time-open-spoilers-possible/504117/3608 "2020-05-10T16:24:08Z")
I believe it’s Geico that has an ad for home insurance where the couple praise their home but then mention a clogging problem, followed by showing their upstairs neighbors constantly clog dance. OK. Then there was a second commercial where another couple mention they have a “rat” problem, with the band Ratt breaking out in song everywhere. OH! A clogging problem is another pay on words,suggesting their pipes are bad! ---
**Author:** ![TreacherousCretin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/treacherouscretin/32/476_2.png) [@TreacherousCretin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TreacherousCretin)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2020, 6:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obvious-things-about-a-creative-work-you-realize-after-the-millionth-time-open-spoilers-possible/504117/3609 "2020-05-10T18:59:10Z")
> [@Shoeless](#): > > Listening to the Beatles “White Album” the other day. In the song “The Continuing Story of Bungalow Bill”, the line “Not when he looked so fierce” is sung in a high falsetto voice. I always assumed it was one of the guys singing in silly fake voice, but I suddenly realized “No, that’s Yoko!” Less obviously, she (and Patti Harrison) are the backing vocals on “Birthday.” ---
**Author:** ![Exapno\_Mapcase](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/exapno_mapcase/32/1051_2.png) [@Exapno\_Mapcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Exapno_Mapcase)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2020, 7:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obvious-things-about-a-creative-work-you-realize-after-the-millionth-time-open-spoilers-possible/504117/3610 "2020-05-10T19:20:58Z")
> [@thorny\_locust](#): > > “French letter” can be slang for a condom; an item which didn’t use to be as easy to come by as they are now. The song is from 1975, not 1875. Condoms were available at any drug store. ---
**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2020, 7:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obvious-things-about-a-creative-work-you-realize-after-the-millionth-time-open-spoilers-possible/504117/3611 "2020-05-10T19:31:26Z")
> [@Exapno\_Mapcase](#): > > The song is from 1975, not 1875. Condoms were available at any drug store. Yes, trust me when I say condoms were _very_ available in 1975. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2020, 10:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obvious-things-about-a-creative-work-you-realize-after-the-millionth-time-open-spoilers-possible/504117/3612 "2020-05-10T22:02:07Z")
> [@Exapno\_Mapcase](#): > > The song is from 1975, not 1875. Condoms were available at any drug store. Yes, but you had to go up to the counter and ask. See Amazon Women on the Moon a little racy. ---
**Author:** ![thorny\_locust](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thorny_locust/32/431_2.png) [@thorny\_locust](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thorny_locust)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2020, 12:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obvious-things-about-a-creative-work-you-realize-after-the-millionth-time-open-spoilers-possible/504117/3613 "2020-05-11T00:24:32Z")
I don’t know for sure when it shifted; but I’m fairly sure that it was later than the mid70’s when I started seeing condoms out on the open counters. Drugstores had them, yes; but you had to ask for them. In small towns this could get complicated because the person you had to ask might know your parents. HIPAA didn’t exist yet. I remember jokes about the guy who bought condoms only to find out when he went to pick his date up that the pharmacist was her father. ---
**Author:** ![TreacherousCretin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/treacherouscretin/32/476_2.png) [@TreacherousCretin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TreacherousCretin)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2020, 2:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obvious-things-about-a-creative-work-you-realize-after-the-millionth-time-open-spoilers-possible/504117/3614 "2020-05-11T02:40:35Z")
> [@thorny\_locust](#): > > I don’t know for sure when it shifted; but I’m fairly sure that it was later than the mid70’s when I started seeing condoms out on the open counters. Drugstores had them, yes; but you had to ask for them. In small towns this could get complicated because the person you had to ask might know your parents. HIPAA didn’t exist yet. > > I remember jokes about the guy who bought condoms only to find out when he went to pick his date up that the pharmacist was her father. I was buying them off the display case in 1969. San Diego. No asking anybody involved. ---
**Author:** ![Irishman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/b487fb/32.png) [@Irishman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Irishman)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2020, 3:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obvious-things-about-a-creative-work-you-realize-after-the-millionth-time-open-spoilers-possible/504117/3615 "2020-05-11T15:45:32Z")
That may be a case of urban areas being more liberal, while the smaller communities were more conservative, especially in the South. The religious stranglehold on the community meant preventing teens (and unmarried couples) from having access. Because allowing access is tantamount to condoning promiscuity and teen sex. ---
**Author:** ![Omar\_Little](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/omar_little/32/269_2.png) [@Omar\_Little](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omar_Little)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2020, 5:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obvious-things-about-a-creative-work-you-realize-after-the-millionth-time-open-spoilers-possible/504117/3616 "2020-05-11T17:35:18Z")
Condoms were easily available in bathroom vending machines even in less urban areas going back decades. ---
**Author:** ![Melbourne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b5e925/32.png) [@Melbourne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Melbourne)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2020, 11:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obvious-things-about-a-creative-work-you-realize-after-the-millionth-time-open-spoilers-possible/504117/3617 "2020-05-11T23:29:52Z")
> [@thorny\_locust](#): > > I remember jokes about the guy who bought condoms only to find out when he went to pick his date up that the pharmacist was her father. Or have some one you know walk in:[Welcome to the house of fun](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GJ2X9SANsME) ---
**Author:** ![Peter\_Morris](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/peter_morris/32/359_2.png) [@Peter\_Morris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peter_Morris)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2020, 4:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obvious-things-about-a-creative-work-you-realize-after-the-millionth-time-open-spoilers-possible/504117/3618 "2020-05-12T04:45:48Z")
[This image](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/M/MV5BMTQ0ODc4MDk4Nl5BMl5BanBnXkFtZTcwMTEzNzgzNA@@._V1_.jpg) from The Graduate is iconic. However I never noticed : the shadow of the electric candle, top left corner Once you’ve seen it, you can’t unsee it. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2020, 4:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obvious-things-about-a-creative-work-you-realize-after-the-millionth-time-open-spoilers-possible/504117/3619 "2020-05-12T04:51:49Z")
> [@Peter\_Morris](#): > > [This image](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/M/MV5BMTQ0ODc4MDk4Nl5BMl5BanBnXkFtZTcwMTEzNzgzNA@@._V1_.jpg) from The Graduate is iconic. > > However I never noticed : > > the shadow of the electric candle, top left corner > > Once you’ve seen it, you can’t unsee it. :eek: (Johnny Carson Voice) “I did not know that.” ---
**Author:** ![Robot\_Arm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robot_arm/32/18280_2.png) [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2020, 1:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obvious-things-about-a-creative-work-you-realize-after-the-millionth-time-open-spoilers-possible/504117/3620 "2020-05-12T13:20:40Z")
This may not be quite what the OP intended, but I recently noticed just how many damn helicopters there are in the James Bond movies. I did a search a while ago (using the IMDb trivia listings) and I think there were only two of the Bond films that didn’t have a helicopter in them somewhere. One was _Dr. No_, which could have been for budgetary reasons. ---
**Author:** ![Dark\_Sponge](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dark_sponge/32/121_2.png) [@Dark\_Sponge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dark_Sponge)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2020, 5:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obvious-things-about-a-creative-work-you-realize-after-the-millionth-time-open-spoilers-possible/504117/3621 "2020-05-12T17:25:33Z")
Acura’s logo is a play on its parent company Honda’s logo: The top of the ‘H’ is squished to make an ‘A’. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obvious-things-about-a-creative-work-you-realize-after-the-millionth-time-open-spoilers-possible/504117.md?page=180) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obvious-things-about-a-creative-work-you-realize-after-the-millionth-time-open-spoilers-possible/504117.md?page=182)