# Stump the dope with your most obscure reference **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [November 13, 2005, 10:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stump-the-dope-with-your-most-obscure-reference/330904 "2005-11-13T22:59:03Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 10
**Author:** ![The\_Batman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/22d042/32.png) [@The\_Batman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Batman)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2005, 8:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stump-the-dope-with-your-most-obscure-reference/330904/181 "2005-11-15T20:46:52Z")
> [@kingpengvin](#): > > Movie: > “Oh, by the way, give my regards to your grandson. Bob will be his name, International Trade his game. I’ll see him in Jakarta, 2053. August 14th. 10a.m. A nice, sunny day. We’ll make headlines.” The Devil - _Needful Things_. ---
**Author:** ![rowrrbazzle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rowrrbazzle/32/414_2.png) [@rowrrbazzle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rowrrbazzle)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2005, 10:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stump-the-dope-with-your-most-obscure-reference/330904/182 "2005-11-15T22:08:07Z")
> [@RealityChuck](#): > > Go-Captain Alvarez A character in one of Cordwainer Smith’s stories. I don’t have them at hand, so I’m not sure about this, but I think he was the giant foot in _A Planet Named Shayol_. ---
**Author:** ![Ghanima](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Ghanima](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ghanima)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2005, 11:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stump-the-dope-with-your-most-obscure-reference/330904/183 "2005-11-15T23:04:42Z")
> [@](#): > > Sneering and whispering and stealing your cars, Reading pornography, smoking cigars… and “…I don’t know.” (spoken in an unsure, sing-song kind of way.) ---
**Author:** ![Cliffy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/59ef9b/32.png) [@Cliffy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cliffy)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2005, 11:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stump-the-dope-with-your-most-obscure-reference/330904/184 "2005-11-15T23:24:17Z")
> [@RobuSensei](#): > > “Can you keep a handle on things here?” > “I cAn puT hAndLes on loTs of ThIngs.” > “Good enough.” Just given the punctuation and the fell, I’d go with a conversation between Delerium and someone, Barnabas probably. But I don’t recognize that particular dialogue. Anyway, I’m headed to the Cyberpapacy later 'cuz Pere Jean sent in a service call. –Cliffy ---
**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:** [November 15, 2005, 11:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stump-the-dope-with-your-most-obscure-reference/330904/185 "2005-11-15T23:25:30Z")
> [@Moe](#): > > Haven’t read the whole thread yet, but I’m going to go out on a limb and assume no one else has gotten it. This is of course from **Family Restaurant** by _Uncle Bonsai_. Yes. Excellent. Considering how many posters here are fans of Tom Lehrer (and that crowd), I’m surprised there aren’t a few more Uncle Bonsai fans; but it’s always nice to find one. For anyone following along at home, here’s the full verse (strictly speaking, probably a bridge); and you have to imagine it with a pseudo-operatic high voice singing backup. _Velveeta, it’s on everything that you can buy; it’s Velveeta, it’s the spam of the cheeses, it’s sure to appease; it’s Velveeta, just the name brings the tears to my eyes; it’s Velveeta, it’s like cheese with the perfect disguise._ **MaxTheVool** , did I get the “stop bendin’ the shafts!” one right? And a new one: Who is Ponsonby Britt? ---
**Author:** ![jsc1953](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/5daacb/32.png) [@jsc1953](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jsc1953)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2005, 11:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stump-the-dope-with-your-most-obscure-reference/330904/186 "2005-11-15T23:39:05Z")
> [@Ghanima](#): > > and > > “…I don’t know.” (spoken in an unsure, sing-song kind of way.) Not sure if it’s what you had in mind, but a Simpsons dialog exchange goes: Homer: Helllooo…my name is Mr. Burns. I believe you have a letter for me. Postal Clerk: OK, Mr. Burns. What’s your 1st name? Homer: I don’t know. ---
**Author:** ![Moe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/moe/32/2972_2.png) [@Moe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moe)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2005, 11:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stump-the-dope-with-your-most-obscure-reference/330904/187 "2005-11-15T23:53:19Z")
> [@Robot Arm](#): > > Yes. Excellent. Considering how many posters here are fans of Tom Lehrer (and that crowd), I’m surprised there aren’t a few more Uncle Bonsai fans; but it’s always nice to find one. Well, you and I have actually had a few **UB** related exchanges here beginning about 4 years ago when they played The Bottom Line in NYC. It would seem their doper fan base hasn’t changed. ::sigh:: pity. ---
**Author:** ![Icerigger](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/icerigger/32/432_2.png) [@Icerigger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Icerigger)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2005, 12:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stump-the-dope-with-your-most-obscure-reference/330904/188 "2005-11-16T00:01:56Z")
"The sum of German genius, from the dream of Leonardo daVinci , we have created the reality. ---
**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:** [November 16, 2005, 12:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stump-the-dope-with-your-most-obscure-reference/330904/189 "2005-11-16T00:03:46Z")
I remember the exchange, but I have to admit I didn’t remember it was with you. Bonsai are still doing one or two reunion shows a year, and new CDs when they get enough material. And The Bottom Line has closed since that show, hasn’t it? ---
**Author:** ![fishbicycle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/aeb1de/32.png) [@fishbicycle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fishbicycle)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2005, 12:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stump-the-dope-with-your-most-obscure-reference/330904/190 "2005-11-16T00:04:28Z")
> [@Robot Arm](#): > > Who is Ponsonby Britt? The credits show this as the last name on “The Rocky & Bullwinkle Show”, although there was no person named that. ---
**Author:** ![E-Sabbath](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/e19adc/32.png) [@E-Sabbath](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/E-Sabbath)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2005, 12:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stump-the-dope-with-your-most-obscure-reference/330904/191 "2005-11-16T00:08:17Z")
> [@Cliffy](#): > > Just given the punctuation and the fell, I’d go with a conversation between Delerium and someone, Barnabas probably. But I don’t recognize that particular dialogue. > > Anyway, I’m headed to the Cyberpapacy later 'cuz Pere Jean sent in a service call. > > –Cliffy Can you stop off in Egypt for some two-fisted action, first? ---
**Author:** ![Ghanima](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Ghanima](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ghanima)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2005, 12:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stump-the-dope-with-your-most-obscure-reference/330904/192 "2005-11-16T00:14:55Z")
**jsc1953** , that’s the one. I fuckin’ love that scene. ---
**Author:** ![RealityChuck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/realitychuck/32/195_2.png) [@RealityChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityChuck)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2005, 12:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stump-the-dope-with-your-most-obscure-reference/330904/193 "2005-11-16T00:22:42Z")
> [@rowrrbazzle](#): > > A character in one of Cordwainer Smith’s stories. I don’t have them at hand, so I’m not sure about this, but I think he was the giant foot in _A Planet Named Shayol_. That’s it. ---
**Author:** ![Carm6773](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/2bfe46/32.png) [@Carm6773](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Carm6773)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2005, 12:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stump-the-dope-with-your-most-obscure-reference/330904/194 "2005-11-16T00:53:38Z")
> [@jsc1953](#): > > Dirty Duck comics, from National Lampoon circa 1973…? > > Absotively, Weevil? > Posolutely, Mr. Duck! Nope. “Absotively, posilutely!” was used several times during the film (more recent than 73). You’re in the right medium (animated). ---
**Author:** ![Cliffy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/59ef9b/32.png) [@Cliffy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cliffy)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2005, 1:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stump-the-dope-with-your-most-obscure-reference/330904/195 "2005-11-16T01:23:37Z")
> [@E-Sabbath](#): > > Can you stop off in Egypt for some two-fisted action, first? Bingo! (Thought that would last longer, I must say.) –Cliffy ---
**Author:** ![jayjay](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jayjay/32/6765_2.png) [@jayjay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayjay)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2005, 1:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stump-the-dope-with-your-most-obscure-reference/330904/196 "2005-11-16T01:34:43Z")
> [@Cliffy](#): > > Bingo! (Thought that would last longer, I must say.) > > –Cliffy I thought it was Torg, but didn’t get a chance to respond, dammit… ---
**Author:** ![rjk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/ed655f/32.png) [@rjk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rjk)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2005, 2:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stump-the-dope-with-your-most-obscure-reference/330904/197 "2005-11-16T02:25:08Z")
Of course! Not _Rat and Dragon_, but _Shayol_! Why didn’t I think of that? ---
**Author:** ![Fern\_Forest](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/71c47a/32.png) [@Fern\_Forest](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fern_Forest)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2005, 2:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stump-the-dope-with-your-most-obscure-reference/330904/198 "2005-11-16T02:43:42Z")
> [@Icerigger](#): > > "The sum of German genius, from the dream of Leonardo daVinci , we have created the reality. Hudson Hawk. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2005, 2:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stump-the-dope-with-your-most-obscure-reference/330904/199 "2005-11-16T02:45:09Z")
> [@jsc1953](#): > > Absotively, Weevil? > Posolutely, Mr. Duck! In turn, it sounds like they were referencing Gallagher and Shean. ---
**Author:** ![Dragwyr](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dragwyr/32/2855_2.png) [@Dragwyr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dragwyr)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2005, 2:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stump-the-dope-with-your-most-obscure-reference/330904/200 "2005-11-16T02:48:23Z")
Ok, I’ll give it a go. “I’ve heard of unisex but I’ve never had it.” [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stump-the-dope-with-your-most-obscure-reference/330904.md?page=9) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stump-the-dope-with-your-most-obscure-reference/330904.md?page=11)