# What's this old comic strip reference? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Tags:** comic-strips\ **Created:** [June 28, 2024, 10:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-this-old-comic-strip-reference/1003457 "2024-06-28T22:16:53Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/son_of_a_rich/32/5439_2.png) [@Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Son_of_a_Rich)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2024, 10:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-this-old-comic-strip-reference/1003457/1 "2024-06-28T22:16:53Z")
It’s Thimble Theater (Popeye), 1936. In response to a mysterious noise, Poopdeck sez, “Well, if ye don’t hear it maybe it’s jus’ in me head. Maybe I be gettin’ pixilated…” Popeye sez, “Pixilated??? Oh, I see, ya means pixilated like Gary was in that movin’ pitcher…arf! arf!” I’m gonna guess Gary Cooper, but what the humorous aspect was I have no idea. Pixilated meant drunk, I’m guessing. ---
**Author:** ![Dropo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ce7236/32.png) [@Dropo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dropo)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2024, 10:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-this-old-comic-strip-reference/1003457/2 "2024-06-28T22:19:51Z")
- [Longfellow Deeds](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000011/?ref_=ttqu_qu): Now, uh, Jane, a little while ago you said I was pixilated. Do you still think so? - [_Jane whispers to Amy; Amy whispers back_] - [Jane Faulkner](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0781254/?ref_=ttqu_qu): Why, you’ve always been pixilated, Longfellow. - [Amy Faulkner](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0574739/?ref_=ttqu_qu): Always. - [Longfellow Deeds](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000011/?ref_=ttqu_qu): That’s fine, hm, I guess maybe I am. And now tell me something, Jane: who else in Mandrake Falls is pixilated? - [Jane Faulkner](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0781254/?ref_=ttqu_qu): Why, everybody in Mandrake Falls is pixilated - except us. - [Amy Faulkner](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0574739/?ref_=ttqu_qu): Mm-hmm. —[Mr. Deeds Goes to Town (1936) - Quotes - IMDb](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0027996/quotes/?ref_=tt_trv_qu) ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2024, 10:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-this-old-comic-strip-reference/1003457/3 "2024-06-28T22:20:49Z")
Noise? I’m thinking pixilated meant shot with a gun. WAG ---
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2024, 10:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-this-old-comic-strip-reference/1003457/4 "2024-06-28T22:25:17Z")
> [@Son\_of\_a\_Rich](#): > > Pixilated meant drunk, I’m guessing. Dictionaries are fantastic, and especially useful in the Internet age. Because I sure as heck don’t know the definition of everything either, LOL. > **[Definition of PIXILATED](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pixilated)** > > somewhat mentally unsound; also : bemused; whimsical… See the full definition [https://www.collinsdictionary.com/us/dictionary/english/pixilated](https://www.collinsdictionary.com/us/dictionary/english/pixilated) Note that it’s a completely different word than “pixelated” (spelled with a “e” instead of an “i”). It means “confused” or “crazy”, or maybe eccentric or odd. It’s an old word going back to the 1800s. Think of pixies, mischievous little fairies that can mess with your mind with a spell. And in British slang, it _can_ mean drunk as well (since a drunk person certainly can act crazy and/or confused). ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2024, 10:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-this-old-comic-strip-reference/1003457/5 "2024-06-28T22:25:52Z")
The first answer was correct. The Deeds reference. ---
**Author:** ![Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/son_of_a_rich/32/5439_2.png) [@Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Son_of_a_Rich)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2024, 10:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-this-old-comic-strip-reference/1003457/6 "2024-06-28T22:27:23Z")
Thanks, Dropo!