# 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:** 33
**Author:** ![Mister\_Rik](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mister_rik/32/491_2.png) [@Mister\_Rik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mister_Rik)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2010, 7:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obvious-things-about-a-creative-work-you-realize-after-the-millionth-time-open-spoilers-possible/504117/641 "2010-02-01T19:23:45Z")
> [@Shot\_From\_Guns](#): > > Yup, that’s it, then. I don’t think I’ve heard the word “comforter” outside of the U.S., and it might not even be used as much outside of the midwest. A [comforter](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comforter) is a thick blanket stuffed with some sort of insulator. I’ve lived my whole life in the PNW, and though I’m familiar with the word “comforter”, most people I know around here just call it a “quilt”. ---
**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2010, 7:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obvious-things-about-a-creative-work-you-realize-after-the-millionth-time-open-spoilers-possible/504117/642 "2010-02-01T19:39:46Z")
> [@](#): > > Anyway, I happen to buy a DVD copy of “Nosferatu” several days ago, and watched it for the first time in years. I noticed that the set for that final scene, which “Shadow” duplicated precisely, also has a mirror in the very same corner. BUT, in the original film the vampire does have a reflection! Given the amount of research that obviously was done on the original film, I can’t imagine that this is a goof. Rather, I think it was a deliberate ‘inaccuracy’ meant as a wink_wink_nudge_nudge_ to all the folks who actually bothered to watch the original film. I can easily see it as a goof – “Dracula” was, at the time, the only fictional work stating that vampires don’t have reflections (Stoker seems to have inventing the “ancient tradition”). It’s be easy to miss. To show how easy – here’s something I missed every time I saw the film until a couple of years ago. In **Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein** Bela Lugosi’s Dracula very definitely casts a reflection in the mirror when he bites his assistant. And not only was Bela Lugosi the chief player in countless performances of the play (where his not being visible in the mirror is a key plot point), but he’d done it in the 1931 movie, made at the very same studio. And nobody caught this? I suppose it’s possible that this is a nudge-nudge joke here, too, but that seems wayyyyyy too nuanced for an Abbott and Costello movie. ---
**Author:** ![Leiko](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c5a1d2/32.png) [@Leiko](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leiko)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2010, 7:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obvious-things-about-a-creative-work-you-realize-after-the-millionth-time-open-spoilers-possible/504117/643 "2010-02-01T19:42:52Z")
> [@Mister\_Rik](#): > > I’ve lived my whole life in the PNW, and though I’m familiar with the word “comforter”, most people I know around here just call it a “quilt”. Huh. I’ve lived in the PNW all my life as well, and everyone I know calls the blanket in question a duvet or a comforter. Duvet is more common if the blanket is kept in a covering and sometimes is used to describe the covering rather than the blanket itself. Around here, “quilt” is only used for actual quilts. I’m in the Olympia-Lacey area, if that makes any difference. ---
**Author:** ![Mister\_Rik](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mister_rik/32/491_2.png) [@Mister\_Rik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mister_Rik)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2010, 8:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obvious-things-about-a-creative-work-you-realize-after-the-millionth-time-open-spoilers-possible/504117/644 "2010-02-01T20:01:26Z")
> [@Leiko](#): > > Huh. I’ve lived in the PNW all my life as well, and everyone I know calls the blanket in question a duvet or a comforter. Duvet is more common if the blanket is kept in a covering and sometimes is used to describe the covering rather than the blanket itself. Around here, “quilt” is only used for actual quilts. I’m in the Olympia-Lacey area, if that makes any difference. I guess I should narrow the group “people around here” down to “people around here among whom the subject has come up in my hearing”, which is, I admit, a rather small group 😃 However, “duvet” is a term I’ve honestly never heard used (I’ve read it, just never heard it). Kind of the way I always find it somewhat jarring when somebody around here uses the word “davenport” when referring to their couch/sofa. I immediately think, “You’re not from around here, are you?” ---
**Author:** ![Shot\_From\_Guns](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ccd318/32.png) [@Shot\_From\_Guns](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shot_From_Guns)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2010, 8:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obvious-things-about-a-creative-work-you-realize-after-the-millionth-time-open-spoilers-possible/504117/645 "2010-02-01T20:27:14Z")
> [@Mister\_Rik](#): > > I’ve lived my whole life in the PNW, and though I’m familiar with the word “comforter”, most people I know around here just call it a “quilt”. To me, those are two different things. A quilt is specifically a blanket made up of pieces of fabric stitched in a pattern. > [@Leiko](#): > > Duvet is more common if the blanket is kept in a covering and sometimes is used to describe the covering rather than the blanket itself. Yes, I’d restrict duvet to a blanket with a removeable cover. Comforters and quilts don’t have those. > [@Mister\_Rik](#): > > Kind of the way I always find it somewhat jarring when somebody around here uses the word “davenport” when referring to their couch/sofa. The only person I know who says “davenport” is my paternal grandmother, who grew up in rural Wisconsin (central or northern). ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2010, 9:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obvious-things-about-a-creative-work-you-realize-after-the-millionth-time-open-spoilers-possible/504117/646 "2010-02-01T21:30:47Z")
> [@cerberus](#): > > I thought that the pop in pop tarts referred to their popping out of toasters. I thought we made it clear that we should try to always explain the truth in our posts. I guess pop tarts came from “pop” art. [http://www.wholepop.com/973580985/features/toasters/poptarts.htm](http://www.wholepop.com/973580985/features/toasters/poptarts.htm) ---
**Author:** ![Shot\_From\_Guns](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ccd318/32.png) [@Shot\_From\_Guns](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shot_From_Guns)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2010, 9:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obvious-things-about-a-creative-work-you-realize-after-the-millionth-time-open-spoilers-possible/504117/647 "2010-02-01T21:40:25Z")
> [@Mahaloth](#): > > [http://www.wholepop.com/973580985/features/toasters/poptarts.htm](http://www.wholepop.com/973580985/features/toasters/poptarts.htm) Nobody listens to me. ☹ > [@Shot\_From\_Guns](#): > > The Wikipedia article claims it, too, and sources [this page](http://www.wholepop.com/973580985/features/toasters/poptarts.htm). ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2010, 10:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obvious-things-about-a-creative-work-you-realize-after-the-millionth-time-open-spoilers-possible/504117/648 "2010-02-01T22:32:34Z")
> [@](#): > > To me, those are two different things. A quilt is specifically a blanket made up of pieces of fabric stitched in a pattern. To get very technical, there are a number of things that make something a true “quilt”. First, there are at least two outer layers of fabric, with some sort of insulation in between. Second, at least one of the outer layers should be made up of smaller pieces of fabric joined together. Third, the whole thing should be stitched together with lines or curves of embroidery, possibly forming a completely separate pattern from the patchwork-- This embroidery itself is the “quilting”. I think a comforter only requires that there be the multiple layers with insulation between, but doesn’t necessarily have a patchwork pattern or quilting (it might only be joined together with a few knots of yarn, and might even just be a big sack). ---
**Author:** ![Shot\_From\_Guns](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ccd318/32.png) [@Shot\_From\_Guns](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shot_From_Guns)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2010, 10:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obvious-things-about-a-creative-work-you-realize-after-the-millionth-time-open-spoilers-possible/504117/649 "2010-02-01T22:39:09Z")
**Chronos** , were you as pissed off as I was by the Quilted Northern toilet paper commercials a number of years back, which featured animated women “quilting” the toilet paper… _with knitting needles_? (Like, they were sitting around the edges, making knitting motions, and that was somehow making the quilted toilet paper.) ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2010, 12:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obvious-things-about-a-creative-work-you-realize-after-the-millionth-time-open-spoilers-possible/504117/650 "2010-02-02T00:29:01Z")
I probably would have been, had I seen that commercial. What was the reasoning there, quilting is something done by little old ladies, and so is knitting, so they must be the same thing? ---
**Author:** ![needscoffee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/needscoffee/32/1076_2.png) [@needscoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/needscoffee)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2010, 7:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obvious-things-about-a-creative-work-you-realize-after-the-millionth-time-open-spoilers-possible/504117/651 "2010-02-02T07:30:20Z")
> [@Annie-Xmas](#): > > As I’ve posted before, for about a year I thought there was a singer named “Fiancee” that I kept hearing about, and one named “Be-younce” that I kept reading about. > > Image my :smack: when I put 1+1 together and got _one_ They only became one and the same after he put a ring on it. ---
**Author:** ![kidneyfailure](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/9f8e36/32.png) [@kidneyfailure](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kidneyfailure)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2010, 8:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obvious-things-about-a-creative-work-you-realize-after-the-millionth-time-open-spoilers-possible/504117/652 "2010-02-02T08:45:59Z")
Koxinga (if you even remember this thread), I’m gonna have to take issue with your observation about Vladimir and Estragon calling each other “brother” in China on the grounds that “gogo” does not mean brother in Mandarin. You’re confusing it with “gege,” dude. ---
**Author:** ![Koxinga](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/4af34b/32.png) [@Koxinga](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Koxinga)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2010, 9:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obvious-things-about-a-creative-work-you-realize-after-the-millionth-time-open-spoilers-possible/504117/653 "2010-02-02T09:01:11Z")
> [@kidneyfailure](#): > > Koxinga (if you even remember this thread), I’m gonna have to take issue with your observation about Vladimir and Estragon calling each other “brother” in China on the grounds that “gogo” does not mean brother in Mandarin. You’re confusing it with “gege,” dude. Yes, I’m sure I’m confusing it. :rolleyes: I bow to your obviously superior of knowledge of the Chinese language, 兄弟. ---
**Author:** ![kidneyfailure](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/9f8e36/32.png) [@kidneyfailure](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kidneyfailure)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2010, 9:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obvious-things-about-a-creative-work-you-realize-after-the-millionth-time-open-spoilers-possible/504117/654 "2010-02-02T09:05:49Z")
> [@Koxinga](#): > > Yes, I’m sure I’m confusing it. :rolleyes: I bow to your obviously superior of knowledge of the Chinese language, 兄弟. You being sarcastic or serious, 同志? Because it’s not romanized or pronounced as “gogo,” and the tone of my my next response will be decided on whether or not you’re being an ass. That eyeroll is confusing. ---
**Author:** ![Koxinga](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/4af34b/32.png) [@Koxinga](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Koxinga)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2010, 9:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obvious-things-about-a-creative-work-you-realize-after-the-millionth-time-open-spoilers-possible/504117/655 "2010-02-02T09:13:33Z")
> [@kidneyfailure](#): > > and the tone of my my next response will be decided on whether or not you’re being an ass. You can decide that yourself by answering three questions: (1) when was Waiting for Godot written; (2) when was hanyu pinyin invented; and (3) would Beckett have any sort of obligation to stick to any formal transliteration system whatsoever rather than playing it by ear, if indeed he did want to pepper his play with a couple of Chinese words? “同志”, indeed. Thanks, but I can’t claim to be quite that _fab_ulous. ETA: Bonus question! > [@kidneyfailure](#): > > Because it’s not romanized or pronounced as “gogo,” Not pronounced that way in English, sure. But, Q: In what language was Waiting For Godot originally written? ---
**Author:** ![melodyharmonius](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/melodyharmonius/32/21310_2.png) [@melodyharmonius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/melodyharmonius)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2010, 2:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obvious-things-about-a-creative-work-you-realize-after-the-millionth-time-open-spoilers-possible/504117/656 "2010-02-02T14:13:37Z")
I was watching _Gilmore Girls_ the other day and it suddenly hit me: Luke & Lorelei, Luke & Laura. I should have realized they were destined to be an intermingling couple from the beginning. ---
**Author:** ![Shot\_From\_Guns](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ccd318/32.png) [@Shot\_From\_Guns](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shot_From_Guns)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2010, 5:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obvious-things-about-a-creative-work-you-realize-after-the-millionth-time-open-spoilers-possible/504117/657 "2010-02-02T17:08:16Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > I probably would have been, had I seen that commercial. What was the reasoning there, quilting is something done by little old ladies, and so is knitting, so they must be the same thing? I think it was just “I’m a moronic ad person with a crackerjack box Communications degree who can’t even check Wikipedia to verify how quilting actually works.” It was quite a while back (probably 5-10 years), and I don’t think the ads were out for very long (a few weeks, maybe a few months) before they fixed them (probably after a deluge of “THAT’S NOT QUILTING, YOU FUCKING RETARDS” letters on very nice old-lady stationery). ---
**Author:** ![Shot\_From\_Guns](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ccd318/32.png) [@Shot\_From\_Guns](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shot_From_Guns)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2010, 5:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obvious-things-about-a-creative-work-you-realize-after-the-millionth-time-open-spoilers-possible/504117/658 "2010-02-02T17:13:13Z")
> [@Koxinga](#): > > I bow to your obviously superior of knowledge of the Chinese language, 兄弟. > [@kidneyfailure](#): > > You being sarcastic or serious, 同志? Translations for those of us playing along at home, please. I’d make guesses based on Japanese, but given that 手紙 is letter (as in a missive) in Japanese but toilet paper in Chinese, that may not have optimal results. FWIW, the first one is the same as \*kyoudai \*(sibling) in Japanese, while the latter would be _doushi_ (comrade/kindred spirit). ---
**Author:** ![kidneyfailure](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/9f8e36/32.png) [@kidneyfailure](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kidneyfailure)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2010, 12:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obvious-things-about-a-creative-work-you-realize-after-the-millionth-time-open-spoilers-possible/504117/659 "2010-02-03T00:26:04Z")
> [@Koxinga](#): > > You can decide that yourself by answering three questions: (1) when was Waiting for Godot written; (2) when was hanyu pinyin invented; and (3) would Beckett have any sort of obligation to stick to any formal transliteration system whatsoever rather than playing it by ear, if indeed he did want to pepper his play with a couple of Chinese words? > > “同志”, indeed. Thanks, but I can’t claim to be quite that _fab_ulous. > > ETA: Bonus question! > > Not pronounced that way in English, sure. But, > > Q: In what language was Waiting For Godot originally written? 1. 48 or 49. 2. 50’s. But there were plenty of other romanizations before that, and I’m fairly sure none of them romanized 哥哥 as “gogo.” 3. Even if he was “playing by ear,” it still wouldn’t be “gogo!” It doesn’t even sound like “gogo” at all. You yourself have acknowledged that no one else in this thread believes your theory, someone else has given a much more plausible (VlaDImir EstraGOn) theory, and still another has pointed out that there’s no evidence to support the notion that this is anything more than a coincidence. Maybe get the 简体中文版 of the text and look up what they call each other there. Either way, I think you’re wrong. ---
**Author:** ![kidneyfailure](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/9f8e36/32.png) [@kidneyfailure](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kidneyfailure)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2010, 12:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obvious-things-about-a-creative-work-you-realize-after-the-millionth-time-open-spoilers-possible/504117/660 "2010-02-03T00:28:01Z")
> [@Shot\_From\_Guns](#): > > FWIW, the first one is the same as \*kyoudai \*(sibling) in Japanese, while the latter would be _doushi_ (comrade/kindred spirit). Close enough [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=32) [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=34)