[Jack Handy]
I bet one legend that keeps recurring throughout history, in every culture, is the story of Popeye.
[/Jack Handy]
Well, I think it should be. Anyways, can someone explain what this salty ol’ sea dog’s accent/speech pattern is supposed to be? Does it sound like anything recognized by linguists, or did his creator (E.C. Segar) just shoot for something suitably “colorful”?
If the accents and speech patterns of those who gave voice to Popeye enter into the equation, and I suppose they must, you need someone who remembers the voices of Candy Candido, a 1930’s bandleader, and Jack Mercer, an actor.
Amongst others, these two parties helped to articulate the dulcet tones of the Popeye we have come to know and love.
Regarding that quote, I had a professor who used Popeye comics to illustrate points about art history. His contention was that Popeye is in the same tradition as characters like Hercules - so in that professor’s opinion, the legend of Popeye really does recur throughout history.