# the e-less thread. No e's allowed! **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [June 27, 2000, 3:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-e-less-thread-no-es-allowed/23731 "2000-06-27T15:44:12Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![matt\_mcl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/7ab992/32.png) [@matt\_mcl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/matt_mcl)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2000, 6:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-e-less-thread-no-es-allowed/23731/41 "2000-06-27T18:59:28Z")
L_rk_rnomor\*: I do not know about Gadsby by Wright, but a glorious showing of lipogrammatic authorial skills, known in its original _français_ as _La disparition_ by G_org_s P_r_c (and _traduit_ into our Saxon idiom by Gil Adair as _A Void_ - a miraculous brainchild of translatory arts) in fact has a plot - a witty and smart plot involving an unusual void - Vol. 5 of a 26-book almanac abandons its rightful spot in Anton Voyl, an insomniac’s, small flat, wholly without warning. Foul play follows hard upon. Good goddamn book. Find it. Part of its first paragraph follows in translation: “Today, by radio, and also on giant hoardings, a rabbi, an admiral notorious for his links to Masonry, a trio of cardinals, a trio, too, of insignificant politicians (bought and paid for by a rich Anglo-Canadian banking corporation), inform us all of how our country risks dying by starvation. A rumour, that’s my initial thought, as I switch off my radio, a rumour or possibly a hoax. Propaganda, I murmur anxiously - as though, just by saying so, I might allay my doubts - typical politician’s propaganda…” ---
**Author:** ![matt\_mcl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/7ab992/32.png) [@matt\_mcl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/matt_mcl)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2000, 7:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-e-less-thread-no-es-allowed/23731/42 "2000-06-27T19:03:49Z")
Lo! A hint: In your writing programs such as MS Word, hit [ctrl]-[f] or its own shortcut to do look through your posting to find any of this anathaimatic glyph. ---
**Author:** ![ReservoirDog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/8edcca/32.png) [@ReservoirDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ReservoirDog)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2000, 7:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-e-less-thread-no-es-allowed/23731/43 "2000-06-27T19:12:21Z")
I thought I would try this, to find out if it is as bloody difficult as you might want to think. Obviously, you find distinct limits as to the words in your vocabulary that you can actually type. Overall, though, so long as your brain has a fair grasp of the main goal, and you do not allow any distractions, you should not fail in this task. Mind you, this paragraph is probably not a wondrous thing to scan, but it works. ---
**Author:** ![Scupper](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b9bd4f/32.png) [@Scupper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scupper)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2000, 7:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-e-less-thread-no-es-allowed/23731/44 "2000-06-27T19:21:26Z")
> [@](#): > > \*\* > I thought I would try this, to find out if it is as bloody difficult as you might want to think. Obviously, you find distinct limits as to the words in your vocabulary that you can actually ######. Overall, though, so long as your brain has a fair grasp of the main goal, and you do not allow any distractions, you should not fail in this task. Mind you, this paragraph is probably not a wondrous thing to scan, but it works. > \*\* WHOOPS!!! ---
**Author:** ![Kiki](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/dc4da7/32.png) [@Kiki](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kiki)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2000, 7:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-e-less-thread-no-es-allowed/23731/45 "2000-06-27T19:21:30Z")
This is kind of difficult. I don’t know if I can do it. I am trying to avoid it but don’t know if I can. This is scary, how long must I go on this way? Until I run out of words, until my mind is nothing but a mound of goo and I go nuts, until I uh, um, oh shit! I don’t want to finish my work, my boss is out for today so I’m playing but I must finish my tasks. So long! That wasn’t so hard! ---
**Author:** ![ren](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/ed655f/32.png) [@ren](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ren)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2000, 7:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-e-less-thread-no-es-allowed/23731/46 "2000-06-27T19:24:28Z")
Sorry, sort of br_aking the rul_, but for a good r\*ason: Th_r_ is a nov_l by Georg_s P_r_c call_d (in nglish translation) “A Void”. It is sv_ral hundr_d pag_s long and contains **no e’s**. Originally writt_n in Fr_nch, I b_li_v\* that its translation into _nglish was an vn mor_ astonishing f\*at. P_r_c w_nt on to writ_ a short _ss_y “Les Revenentes” using **only e’s**. _v_n hard\*r! Both amazing. I think “A Void” is still in print. ---
**Author:** ![\_oo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/_/e9a140/32.png) [@\_oo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/_oo)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2000, 7:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-e-less-thread-no-es-allowed/23731/47 "2000-06-27T19:28:23Z")
Thanx r_n: that just answ_r_d my qn abov_. ---
**Author:** ![Saint\_Zero](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c4cdca/32.png) [@Saint\_Zero](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Zero)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2000, 7:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-e-less-thread-no-es-allowed/23731/48 "2000-06-27T19:28:50Z")
I’m of two minds about this. Firstly, it’s difficult to watch your typing and shun said glyph. … with that out of thE way. I would havE likEd this compEtition morE if you hadn’t had such an Ego about it. Now that I’vE rEad your scathing rEpliEs to EvEryonE who has triEd and failEd to play this stupid gamE, I’m not likEly to play along. ScrEw this. I’ll writE as many E’s as I can. I’vE EvEn capitalizEd as many as I could find. To makE your job easiEr. This isn’t fun. ---
**Author:** ![ReservoirDog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/8edcca/32.png) [@ReservoirDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ReservoirDog)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2000, 7:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-e-less-thread-no-es-allowed/23731/49 "2000-06-27T19:58:09Z")
> [@](#): > > \*\* > > > [@](#): > > > > \*\* > > I thought I would try this, to find out if it is as bloody difficult as you might want to think. Obviously, you find distinct limits as to the words in your vocabulary that you can actually ######. Overall, though, so long as your brain has a fair grasp of the main goal, and you do not allow any distractions, you should not fail in this task. Mind you, this paragraph is probably not a wondrous thing to scan, but it works. > > \*\* > > WHOOPS!!! > \*\* Son of a bitch. I suck. It’s that simple. Of all the stupid, idiotic, moronic, half-ass’d ways to squick it all up… Dammit. ---
**Author:** ![ren](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/ed655f/32.png) [@ren](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ren)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2000, 8:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-e-less-thread-no-es-allowed/23731/50 "2000-06-27T20:07:36Z")
Wow! A mass simulpost about “A Void”! Cool! I’m happy about how popular it is in the SDMB clan! [Additional information](http://www2.ec-lille.fr/~book/perec/) about said book’s author. [Amazon.com](http://Amazon.com) has “Disparation” (original lang.) but not “A Void”. Out of print, I’m afraid… (Thank God I own a copy). ---
**Author:** ![pluto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/f08c70/32.png) [@pluto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pluto)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2000, 8:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-e-less-thread-no-es-allowed/23731/51 "2000-06-27T20:11:09Z")
How long can this carry on? It is so hard to avoid that common word which points to a particular thing – not “a” thing but “that particular” thing. Would that all of us could think as cautiously about all our words. ---
**Author:** ![pluto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/f08c70/32.png) [@pluto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pluto)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2000, 8:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-e-less-thread-no-es-allowed/23731/52 "2000-06-27T20:18:22Z")
Circumlocution is an option that attracts. ---
**Author:** ![tradesilicon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/439d5e/32.png) [@tradesilicon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tradesilicon)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2000, 8:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-e-less-thread-no-es-allowed/23731/53 "2000-06-27T20:22:23Z")
I find that this distraction is a bit of just plain fun. I’d want to watch it’s product just following its run. I start by adding nothing, and carry on by adding squat! But don’t imform us that to do this you must truly think a lot! Just tap along your input board and watch words coming out. Stand tall, I say to you, stand up tall and proud! You cannot allow a symbol to win agaist your will And throw your post away, off with a giant, vulgar swill. ---
**Author:** ![Scupper](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b9bd4f/32.png) [@Scupper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scupper)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2000, 8:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-e-less-thread-no-es-allowed/23731/54 "2000-06-27T20:44:07Z")
Pathologically avoiding utilization of individual symbols is symptomatic of a budding flirtation with schizoid thinking. No minor affliction, this can and usually will bring on a psychotic and/or sociopathic condition. Victims of said condition may languish in a continual fog of torpid posting, failing to stay within social norms, and finally dying in obscurity. ---
**Author:** ![ponch](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/bcef8e/32.png) [@ponch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ponch)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2000, 8:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-e-less-thread-no-es-allowed/23731/55 "2000-06-27T20:52:06Z")
congratulations on your adulation! oh to think all this posturing, put forth minus a naughty symbol…to think, what could all script without “i”. ---
**Author:** ![Gilligan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e0b2c6/32.png) [@Gilligan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gilligan)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2000, 8:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-e-less-thread-no-es-allowed/23731/56 "2000-06-27T20:58:29Z")
Wow, sili, good iambs. Or should I say dactyls? I always draw a blank. Rhyming isn’t my strong suit. Too much prolixity going on in this topic. I try to stay laconic. ---
**Author:** ![Mojo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/85f322/32.png) [@Mojo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mojo)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2000, 9:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-e-less-thread-no-es-allowed/23731/57 "2000-06-27T21:28:29Z")
Post #1000! And I’m wasting it on this crapola. Say la V. ---
**Author:** ![Silver\_Fire](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a88e4f/32.png) [@Silver\_Fire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Silver_Fire)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2000, 9:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-e-less-thread-no-es-allowed/23731/58 "2000-06-27T21:48:57Z")
Hmmm…I don’t think I can do this. Without utilization of this popular symbol, showing a paragraph is a difficult task. With this in mind, I think I will stop trying as I wish not to fail. ---
**Author:** ![winky99](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/71c47a/32.png) [@winky99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/winky99)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2000, 10:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-e-less-thread-no-es-allowed/23731/59 "2000-06-27T22:18:00Z")
What is your point, Of this idiotic post? To show your smarts, Or pass as a host? I find this task trivial, And hardly a trial. I think all do, I wash with Dial. Unoriginal posts Possibly put you out. But this is boring As is you, too, no doubt. I finish my canto, Which is short of an opus, With a final thought And a bit of focus. I can’t think of why I add To this stupid bit, Just shows you how Nothing can spawn from shit. ---
**Author:** ![BigGiantHead](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/b4bc9f/32.png) [@BigGiantHead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigGiantHead)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2000, 10:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-e-less-thread-no-es-allowed/23731/60 "2000-06-27T22:25:50Z")
In my mind is a vision of a writing, many days ago it did pass this youth by. In it, not only did author shun our tricky glyph, but in doing so warily did posit his notion that a void was around him. This author did not point it out forthrightly, but circuitously, as if it did mystify him, too. In addition, as paragraphs did mount up, additional symbols did fall to his lipogrammatic ax, until practically all logic was out of it. Soon, word _parts_ hung about only, as if waiting for a saviour _a la_ Godot. Fascinating! BTW, congratulations to many of our RP’s. Your labor, found in this locality, may touch infinity in its luminosity! [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-e-less-thread-no-es-allowed/23731.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-e-less-thread-no-es-allowed/23731.md?page=4)