2012 lines
91 KiB
Plaintext
2012 lines
91 KiB
Plaintext
From: rdippold@cancun.qualcomm.com (Ron Dippold)
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Newsgroups: rec.arts.comics.misc
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Subject: Asterix Annotations 1/2
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Message-ID: <rdippold.726477698@cancun>
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Date: Fri, 8 Jan 1993 07:21:38 GMT
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Organization: Qualcomm, Inc., San Diego, CA
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Lines: 1001
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[This contains both parts, concatenated.]
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[P.S. if you know of any appropriate places to crosspost next time let
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me know, I don't think there are any... at least we don't get
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soc.culture.europe if it exists]
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The Asterix Annotations 1.00 (English and American translations)
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Maintained and mostly by Ron Dippold (rdippold@qualcomm.com)
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Copyright 1993, All Rights Reserved.
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A big thanks to Sergio Gelato for translating over half the latin
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phrases in here.
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This annotation is copyrighted not for financial reasons, just for a bit
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of control over reproduction - a lot of effort went into this. If you
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want to publish any of this in any medium for any strange reason,
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contact me. If all else fails, leave mail to SYSOP at modem number
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(619) 573-1675.
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This annotation has been prepared because not only the authors (Rene
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Goscinny and Albert Uderzo, and later just Uderzo) have been rather
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clever and sometimes obscure, but because the translators (Anthea Bell
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and Derek Hockridge for the English, Robert Steven Caron for the
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American) have for the most part done a fantasic job. There are jokes
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and references that don't appear in the original text. I _know_ I'm
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missing some of the jokes, and it yanks my chain. I learned a lot
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compiling this - who would think that caseous meant "cheeselike?"
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So one set of annotation material are the obscure references and
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occasional Latin, and another other will be the names. As you've seen,
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every Asterix character has a name that means something. Sometimes it's
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obvious, sometimes it's a pain in the neck. The third category of
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references are the occasional famous persons who will appear in the
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drawings. The standard Asterix characters have a recognizable look to
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them and these usually stand out, but sometimes it's hard to tell.
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I am _not_ trying to explain all the jokes and puns and things that are
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hopefully obvious to everyone. This is for some of the names which are
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tricky, and _especially_ for the Latin, which most people don't speak
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and in Asterix is often classical in nature. In fact, there are several
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latin quotes I have translated that I _know_ are classical in nature but
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I don't know the orignal source. Please provide!
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This is billed as the Annotations for the English and American
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translations not to be chauvanistic but because the names/jokes change
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from language to language. Especially the character names, but other
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things as well. I happen to think that Bell and Hockridge have done a
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first rate job, and Caron seems to be making a good start. There are
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jokes and references which don't appear in the original text. Thus
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what's valid for the English version may not hold for other versions,
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although some things will. Since the translators are British, some of
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the annotations are going to be for the benefit of Yanks.
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If someone has a chronological order for them (not the translation
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order, or the order given on the back cover) I'd be grateful for that.
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I've been able to divide them up into basically four periods based on
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content, etc., but it'd be nice to have a real order, and the copyright
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dates are somewhat misleading in some of them.
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Page numbers in the books are given from the first actual page of the
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story, since the number of lead-in pages varies by publisher, edition,
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and translation. Later Asterixes are actually numbered in the drawings,
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but some aren't. So if yours starts on page 5, that's page 1 in this
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annotation, so add (or subtract) 4 from everything.
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Without further ado, here we go... If you have any corrections or
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additions, please send them to me. Credit will be given to the first to
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respond on something. Especially notice the "???" where I know
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something should be here, but I'm at a loss. Also note that I have
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undoubtedly completely missed some references that aren't obvious.
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************************************************************************
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Geography
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The geography is that of 50 BC, and things are usually named differently
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than we would expect.
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English Translation
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Roman Camp Comments.
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Aquarium
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Babylonian Lower valley between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers
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Totorum Torturous or "Tot o' rum"? Later references to
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"Delerium" in "Asterix in Spain" suggest the first.
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Laudanum Laudanum is a solution of opium in alcohol
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Compendium A compendium is a collection, usually a book.
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American Translation
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Roman Camp Comments
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Aquarium
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Opprobrium Opprobrium is conduct bringing shame and disgrace.
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Nohappimedium No happy medium = no agreeable compromise
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Delirium Delirium is a confused mental state often involving
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hallucinations.
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Location Current name. Comments.
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----------------------------------------------------------------------
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Alesia City in France where Vercingetorix surrendered to
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Vercingetorix. Today, nobody knows where it is.
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Amorica NW France. Home of Asterix's village.
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Appian Way Major Roman highway from Rome to Capua to Brundisium
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Aquitania SW France
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Belgica NE France / Belgium
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Briton Britain
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Caledonia Scotland
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Celtica West France
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Condatum Rennes, France. Large town in 50 BC.
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Gaul France
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Gergovia Site of battle in 52 AD where Vercingetorix beat
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Julius Caesar (temporarily), in France
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Goth (Germania) Germany.
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Helvetia Switzerland
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Hibernia Ireland
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Hispania. Spain (the Spanish are Iberians)
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Lugdunum Lyons, France
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Lusitania Portugal
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Lutetia Paris (or actually the city on an island which
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expanded to become Paris). Greatest city in Gaul.
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Massilia Marseilles, France
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Mesopotamia Land between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers, today
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part of Iraq
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Nubia Africa (south of Egypt)
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Provincia SE France
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************************************************************************
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Terminology
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There is some recurring terminology which should be explained.
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Term Meaning
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Amphora Jug
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Calends The first day of every month
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Caligae Sandals (or feet)
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Centurion Leader of 100 men (a century) in the Roman army. In
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actuality, this varies greatly. The commander of
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each of the surrounding camps is a centurion.
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The Circus The Circus Maxiumus, site of gladiatorial combat in
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Rome. Also involves people being eaten by wild
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beasts.
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Cohort 1/10 of a legion.
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Dolmen A primitive structure created by placing one large
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rock across two side rocks.
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Decurion Leader of 10 men in the Roman army. Patrols are
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usually let by decurions.
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Fatigue Military term for punishment duty. In the U.S. it's
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K.P.
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Legion 3000 to 6000 soldiers with additional cavalry.
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Menhir Those big pointed rocks that Obelix is always
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carrying around.
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Optio(ne) A staff officer who assists the commanding officer.
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Orgy Any kind of party. No sex need be involved.
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Pax Romana Roman Peace, enforced by the army.
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Pilum Roman spear.
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Prefect A high ranking official. Usually a governor.
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Sestertii Roman money. Probably worth about $2 US today. 100
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sestertii = one gold coin
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************************************************************************
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Recurring Characters
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Mostly consisting of characters that reappear again and again, more than
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twice usually qualifies.
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Character Meaning:explained meaning. Comments
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Arthritix (American) Arthritis: a joint disease usually found
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in the elderly. The village elder
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Asterix Asterisk: a "*". Our hero.
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Belisama Gaulish god. Only appears as an oath.
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Belladonna (American) Belladona: a poisonous plant of the
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nightshade family. The chief's wife.
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Bacteria (English) Wife of the fishmonger
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Cacofonix (English) Cacophony: an unmusical din. The village
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bard.
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Dogmatix Dogmatics: the study of religious dogmas. The small
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white dog who travels with them. Howls whenever
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trees are knocked over. It's easy to skim over him,
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but he's sometimes doing something interesting.
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Fulliautomatix (English) Fully automatic. The village blacksmith.
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Running feud with Unhyginix. Pounds on Cacophonix
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when he tries to sing.
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Getafix (English) Get a fix. The village druid.
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Geriatrix (English) Geriatrics: the science of aging. The
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village old fogey (with a nubile young wife).
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Impedimenta Impedimenta: something hindering progress, baggage.
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The chief's wife.
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Julius Caesar Roman statesman, general, dictator. 100-44 BC.
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Macroeconomix (American) Macroeconomics: the study of economy at a
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global or national level. The village chief.
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Magigimmix (American) Magic gimmicks. The village druid.
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Malacoustix (American) Malacoustics: bad sound. Village bard.
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Obelix Obelisk: a stone monument with four sides and a
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pyramidal top, like a squared off menhir. Asterix's
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co-hero. Fell in the magic potion as a baby, so
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can't have any now.
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Pirates These poor SOBs end up getting sunk at least once an
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issue, almost guaranteed. No names except that the
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captain's son is named Erix. The old one with the
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crutch is a latin scholar.
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Toutatis Gaulish god of the village. Only appears as an
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oath.
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Unhygenix Unhygenic: unclean, dirty. The fishmonger.
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Vercingetorix This is a historical character, a Gaulish chieftain
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(72-46 BC approx) who defeated Julius Caesar at
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Gergovia, but was then completely defeated by Caesar
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at Alesia in 50 BC. Only used as a reference.
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Vitalstatistix (English) Vital statistics: probably referring to
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his waistline... The village chief.
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************************************************************************
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Asterix the Gaul (date???)
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By Goscinny and Udzerzo
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English Translation by Anthea Bell and Derek Hockridge
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The first adventure. The drawing is definitely not up to snuff yet, the
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characters aren't really established yet, the names aren't as
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imaginative yet in the translation, but the wit is there.
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Page, Panel Comment
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Page 1, Panel 3 The Germanic tribes attacked the Roman Empire quite
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a bit. Alaric captured Rome in 410 AD.
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Page 1, Panel 6 Quid? = What?
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Page 1, Panel 8 Ipso facto = thereby. Sic = so, thus
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Page 1, Panel 10 Vae victo vae victis = Woe to the conquered one, woe
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to the conquered ones. Brennus is reputed to have
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said this when he and his Gauls sacked Rome in 390
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(except that Brenos is actually a Celtic god, not a
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leader).
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Page 10, Panel 4 Alea jacta est = the die is cast (Julius Caesar)
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Page 14, Panel 5 Potate = drink
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Page 16, Panel 10 Quo vadis = where are you going?
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Page 17, Panel 6 Ave (Caesar)! Morituri... = Hail Caesar! We who are
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about to die salute you! Said to Caesar by
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gladiators before combat.
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Page 23, Panel 9 Triumvirate = three-way rulership.
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Page 26, Panel 10 Aut Caesar, Aut nihil = Caesar or nothing. The
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motto of Cesare Borgia (1476-1507)
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Page 27, Panel 8 Aqua = water (or aqua vitae, alcohol)
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Page 30, Panel 9 Quid novi? = what's new?, Sursum corda = lift your
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hearts (Latin Mass)
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Page 32, Panel 5 Vanitas vanitatum... = vanity of vanities, and
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everything is vanity (Ecclesiastes 1:2, Vulgate).
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de facto = in actual fact. Quomodo vales = How do
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you do?
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Page 42, Panel 5 Vade retro = go back
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Credits: Andrew Hackard for the Brennus quote. Sergio Gelato for more
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Brenos info.
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Name (in order) Meaning:explained meaning. Comments
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Crismus Bonus Christmas Bonus.
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Julius Pompus Pompous.
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Marcus Ginantonicus Gin and tonic
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Caligula Minus Caligula minor: Emperor Caligula is famous for being
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warped and cruel. Caligula Minus would be something
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of a diminutive.
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Tenansix Ten and six
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Tullius Octopus Octopus. Tullius is a Roman name.
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Gracchus Sextilius Sextillion: In France and the US, 1E21. In England
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and Germany, 1E36. Gracchus is a Roman name.
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Claudius Quintilius Quintillion: in France and the US, 1E18. In England
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and Germany, 1E30. Claudius is standard Roman.
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Caius Flebitus Flea bites. Caius is a Roman name.
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************************************************************************
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Asterix and the Goths (date???)
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By Goscinny and Udzerzo
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English Translation by Anthea Bell and Derek Hockridge
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This appears to be the second adventure, although "Golden Sickle" might
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be. The drawing still isn't up to later form, and some characters are
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still underdeveloped, most notably the other villagers. The great
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naming has begun.
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Goth (Germania) is Germany, pretty much. That's gothic script when they
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speak.
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Page, Panel Comment
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Page 1, Panel 1 Forest of the Carnutes???
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Page 2, Panel 5 Visigoth = west goth, Ostrogoth = east goth
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Page 2, Panel 9 Errare humanum est = to err is human (Alexander
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Pope, An Essay on Criticism l.525)
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Page 16, Panel 1 A bad pun. The closest translation for visi is
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probably as a pun for "vici": I saw.
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Page 16, Panel 4 Video meliora proboque deteriora sequor = I see and
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try the better things [but] follow the worse ones.
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(Ovid, Metamorpheses vii.20)
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Page 23, Panel 2 An anachronism. Alaric captured Rome in 410 AD. The
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song is???
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Page 23, Panel 4 "It's a Long Way to Tipperary" WW I song.
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Page 33, Panel 1 From the three witches in Hamlet.
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Page 34, Panel 3 We call it Battleship. A quinquereme is a Roman
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warship with five sets of oars on each side.
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Credits: Robert S. Hill for "Video..."
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Name (in order) Meaning:explained meaning. Comments
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----------------------------------------------------------------------
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Arteriosclerosus Arteriosclerosis: hardening of the arteries, can
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lead to heart attacks
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Gastroenteritus Gastroenteritis: infected stomach and intestines.
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Choleric Choleric: quick tempered, irritable
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Tartaric Tartaric: containing tartar or tartaric acic (not
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tartar sauce, but the crust formed in wine jugs)
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Athmospheric
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Prehistoric
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Esoteric Rare, unusual
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Valueaddetax Value added tax: a British indirect sales tax paid
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at each step of production and distribution of a
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good based on the value added at that stage
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Cadaverus Cadaverous: like a corpse
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Botanix Botany: study of plants
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Prefix Coming before something
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Suffix Coming after sometime, usually in language
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Cantankerus Cantankerous: crabby, choleric
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Marcus Ubiquitus Ubiquitous = everywhere, omnipresent
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Julius Monotonus Monotonous = boring, monotony inducing
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Metric System of measurements
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Rhetoric The art of using words effectively
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General Electric A U.S. company (GE)
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Euphoric Vigorous, high spirited, happy
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Lyric Songlike, also a form of poetry
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Satiric Engaging in satire.
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************************************************************************
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Asterix and the Golden Sickle ((c)1962)
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By Goscinny and Udzerzo
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English Translation by Anthea Bell and Derek Hockridge
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Another early one (as evidenced by the drawing). I'm tenatively calling
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this number three, although "Goths" might be.
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Page, Panel Comment
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Page 6, Panel 1 Auf wiedersehen = goodbye
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Page 6, Panel 6 "the great ox-cart race, the Suindinum 24 hours" is
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obviously a reference to something. What???
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Page 13, Panel 10 Cave = beware
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Page 14, Panel 3 Pompeii is a city in S. Italy buried under mud and
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ash by Vesuvius in 79 AD - an anachronism.
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Page 14, Panel 7 Vade retro = move back
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Page 24, Panel 9 Mola Rubra nightclub/tavern ???
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Page 25, Panel 5 Bois de Boulogne ???
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Page 39, Panel 9 Quis, quid, ubi, quibus auxiliis, cur, quomodo,
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quando? = Who, what, where, by what means, why, how,
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when?
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Page 39, Panel 11 Acta est fabula = ???
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Page 46, Panel 1 "I Love Paris in the Springtime"
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Name (in order) Meaning:explained meaning. Comments
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----------------------------------------------------------------------
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Metallurgix Metallurgic: having to do with the working of
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metals.
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Navishtricks Knavish tricks: a knave is a villian
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Clovogarlix Clove of garlic
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Surplus Dairiprodus Surplus dairy produce: extra milk.
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Claudius Omnibus Omnibus: double decker bus in Britain
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************************************************************************
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Asterix the Gladiator ((c) 1964)
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By Goscinny and Udzerzo
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English Translation by Anthea Bell and Derek Hockridge
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Early period. The drawing is a bit off, the Romans look different, and
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Asterix, Obelix, and Getafix are the only well-defined characters,
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Vitalstatistix looks strange. This story "features" Cacofonix. Obelix
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starts his helmet collecting habit here, and the pirates make their
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first appearance.
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Page, Panel Comment
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----------------------------------------------------------------------
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Page 7, Panel 5 Alea jacta est = the die is cast (Julius Caesar)
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Page 11, Panel 8 Vanitas vanitatum... = vanity of vanities, and
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everything is vanity (Ecclesiastes 1:2, Vulgate)
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Page 18, Panel 10 cubiculum=small sleeping compartmen, triclinium =
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dining room with couch
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Page 18, Panel 11 GLC = Greater London Council
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Page 26, Panel 9 Giblet = various parts of a bird, such as the neck,
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heart gizzard
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Page 34, Panel 2 Panem et circenses = bread and circuses (Juvenal,
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Satires x.80 60-130AD)
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Page 36, Panel 9 Plaudite cives = Applaud, citizens.
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Page 38, Panel 5 Ave Caesar! Morituri... = Hail Caesar! We who are
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about to die salute you!
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Name (in order) Meaning:explained meaning. Comments
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----------------------------------------------------------------------
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Odius Asparagus Odious asparagus: odius=bad smelling
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Gracchus
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Armisurplus Army surplus
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Picanmix Pick and mix
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Ekonomikrisis Economy crisis
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Caius Fatuous Fatuous: silly, foolish
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Instantmix Instant mix
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Insalubrius Insalubrious: not promoting health and welfare
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Porpus Porpoise
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Sendervictorius Send her victorius: a line from "God Save the Queen"
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Appianglorius Happy and glorious: the next line of "God Save the
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Queen"
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Brutus Historical: Marcus Junius Brutus, adopted son of
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Julius Caesar and one of the conspirators who
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murdered him
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Credits: Chris Adams for Sendervictorius and Appianglorius
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************************************************************************
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Asterix and Cleopatra ((c) 1965)
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By Goscinny and Udzerzo
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English Translation by Anthea Bell and Derek Hockridge
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Billed as "The greatest story ever drawn. 14 litres of india ink, 30
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brushes, 62 soft pencils, 1 hard pencil, 27 rubbers [erasers], 1984
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sheets of paper, 16 typewriter ribbons, 2 typewriters, 366 pints of beer
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went into its creation!" Uderzo really gets to show what he can do.
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The first example of how brilliant the books could be with foreign
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countries, and a great lead-in to The Big Fight.
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Vitalstatistix takes final form here, and an early Fulliautomatix pounds
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Cacofonix. The pirates return, starting a tradition. Caesar finally
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remembers the three gauls.
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Page, Panel Comment
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----------------------------------------------------------------------
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Page 2, Panel 9 What game is that ???
|
|
Page 6, Panel 7 Alea jacta est = the die is cast (Julius Caesar)
|
|
Page 8, Panel 2 That's EDIFIS written on the front of the house with
|
|
greek letters
|
|
Page 15, Panel 1 Lentil=a bean
|
|
Page 22, Panel 6 Those are obelisks
|
|
Page 36, Panel 4 Ita diis placuit = So the gods ordained (literally:
|
|
so it pleased the gods)
|
|
Page 43, Panel 3 The Suez Canal, which was built ???
|
|
|
|
|
|
Name (in order) Meaning:explained meaning. Comments
|
|
----------------------------------------------------------------------
|
|
Cleopatra Historical: 69-30 BC, queen of Egypt and mistress of
|
|
Julius Caesar and Mark Antony. There were many
|
|
"Cleopatra"s but this is the famous one.
|
|
Edifis Edifice: large, imposing building
|
|
Nastiupset Nasty upset
|
|
Sethisbackup Set this back up
|
|
Artifis Artifice: a sly or artful trick
|
|
Exlibris Ex libris: "belonging to the library of"
|
|
Krukhut Crew cut: extremely short military haircut
|
|
Mintjulep Mint julep: alcoholic beverage
|
|
Superfluous Superfluous: extra, not necessary
|
|
Operachorus Opera chorus
|
|
|
|
|
|
************************************************************************
|
|
|
|
Asterix and the Banquet ((c) 1965)
|
|
By Goscinny and Udzerzo
|
|
English Translation by Anthea Bell and Derek Hockridge
|
|
|
|
More early style. This is basically "Asterix in France." A
|
|
Fulliautomatix shows up, but he is no relation to the later one.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Page, Panel Comment
|
|
----------------------------------------------------------------------
|
|
Page 3, Panel 8 Exegi momentum aere perennius = I have built a
|
|
monument more lasting than bronze (Horace, Odes
|
|
III.xxx.i).
|
|
Page 4, Panel 8 Caius Fatuous: from Asterix the Gladiator
|
|
Page 6, Panel 6 What's the deal about people from Rotomagus (Rouen)
|
|
???
|
|
Page 10, Panel 3 Matron: old lady
|
|
Page 11, Panel 5 Humbug: striped hard round candy
|
|
Page 13, Panel 9 Magnum: bottle holding 2/5 gallon of wine, twice as
|
|
much as a usual bottle
|
|
Page 14, Panel 4 Brut: very dry, sec: dry; demi-sec: somewhat dry;
|
|
doux: (douce) sweet. Dry here means not sweet.
|
|
Page 20, Panel 2 Is that the symbol of any modern post office ???
|
|
Page 23, Panel 4 Thesus and the minotaur
|
|
Page 26, Panel 8 Mistral: cold, dry north wind that blows over the
|
|
Mediterranean region of France. Vesuvius didn't
|
|
erupt till 79 AD.
|
|
Page 27, Panel 7 Pastis: colorless French cordial wine flavored with
|
|
licorice and aniseed.
|
|
Page 28, Panel 6 This game is still played today
|
|
Page 28, Panel 8 The French Revolution, 1789 AD, and "La Marseilles,"
|
|
the French national anthem.
|
|
Page 40, Panel 9 Victrix causa diis placuit sed victa catoni =
|
|
[loosely] The gods liked the winners' cause
|
|
[literally: the winning cause], but Cato [the elder,
|
|
presumably] [preferred] the losers'.
|
|
|
|
Credits: Robert S. Hill for the Horace quote.
|
|
|
|
Name (in order) Meaning:explained meaning. Comments
|
|
----------------------------------------------------------------------
|
|
Lotuseatus Lotus eater: indolent, dreamy, forgetful
|
|
Overanxius Over anxious
|
|
Fulliautomatix Fully automatic
|
|
Ulna Ulna: Thinner bone between the elbow and hand
|
|
Radius Radius: Thicker bone between the elbow and hand
|
|
Nervus Illnus Nervous illness: a mental breakdown
|
|
Goldenslumbus Golden slumbers
|
|
Fishfingus Fish fingers: breaded strips of fish
|
|
Spongefingus Sponge: raised bread dough; fingers: strips
|
|
Unpatriotix Unpatriotic
|
|
Poisonus Fungus Poisonous fungus
|
|
Jellibabix Jelly babies: jellybean like candy in the shape of a
|
|
baby
|
|
Fibrositus Fibrositis: an excessive growth of white fibrous
|
|
tissue due to inflammation
|
|
Cesar Drinklikafix Drink like a fish: said of a heavy drinker
|
|
Tunafix Tuna fish
|
|
Hydrophobia Hydrophobia: rabies, or fear of water
|
|
Adipus Adipose: fatty tissue
|
|
Uptotrix Up to tricks
|
|
Villanus Villanous
|
|
Unscrupulus Unscrupulous
|
|
General Motus General Motors: American car company (GM).
|
|
Seniorservix Senior service: ???
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
************************************************************************
|
|
|
|
Asterix and The Big Fight ((c)1966)
|
|
By Goscinny and Udzerzo
|
|
English Translation by Anthea Bell and Derek Hockridge
|
|
|
|
|
|
Another early one. The drawing is almost up to later standards, but not
|
|
quite. The main five are here (from the front intro) but that's about
|
|
it. Impedimenta is ill defined, Fulliautomatix and Geriatrix show up in
|
|
early form, but only in a crowd scene. IMO, the first truly brilliant
|
|
Asterix as far as the jokes and puns go.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Page, Panel Comment
|
|
----------------------------------------------------------------------
|
|
Page 6, Panel 5 Jugged hare = hare cooked in a covered earthenware
|
|
container
|
|
Page 12, Panel 4 Order of the Bath = ???
|
|
Page 14, Panel 1 Victurus te saluto = I who am going to win greet
|
|
you. Reference to "Morituri te saluto," "we who are
|
|
about to die salute you" used by gladiators to
|
|
salute the Emperor.
|
|
Page 15, Panel 5 Quod erat demonstrandum = which was the thing to be
|
|
proved (Euclid). Used in proofs as QED.
|
|
Page 19, Panel 1 Dulce et... = Lovely and honourable it is to die for
|
|
one's country. (Horace, Odes III.ii.13)
|
|
Page 21, Panel 1 "John Brown's Body"
|
|
Page 34, Panel 6 W.H. Smix Comix??? The animal on the sign is known
|
|
as the Marsupilami, known in some places as kokomiko.
|
|
Page 36, Panel 5 Alea jacta est = the die is cast (Julius Caesar)
|
|
Page 41, Panel 1 Ceneus = wedge shaped.
|
|
|
|
Credits: Rich Bellacera for more information on the Marsupilami.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Name (in order) Meaning:explained meaning. Comments
|
|
----------------------------------------------------------------------
|
|
Nebulus Nimbus Nebulous:fuzzy, out of focus; nimbus=glow
|
|
surrounding something, like an aura.
|
|
Felonius Caucus Felonious:criminal; caucus=controlling organization
|
|
in a British political party.
|
|
Linoleum Linoleum: shiny floor covering.
|
|
Cassius Ceramix Ceramics: baked clay, earthenware. Cassius is a
|
|
Roman name.
|
|
Professor Berlix Berlitz language lessons are rather famous.
|
|
Prawnsinaspix Prawns in aspic. Prawn=like a large shrimp,
|
|
aspic=jelly or relish.
|
|
Infirmofpurpus Infirm of purpose: has doubts.
|
|
Psychoanalytix Psychoanalytics: basically, mind doctoring
|
|
Bicarbonatofsoda Bicarbonate of soda: baking soda
|
|
Liquorix Licorice
|
|
|
|
|
|
************************************************************************
|
|
|
|
Asterix in Britain ((c)1966)
|
|
By Goscinny and Udzerzo
|
|
English Translation by Anthea Bell and Derek Hockridge
|
|
|
|
This is advertised on the English translation as "The Greatest Asterix
|
|
Adventure." It's very good, especially the "Britishisms," but I suspect
|
|
this is just good advertising... More early Asterix. The final
|
|
Fulliautomatix begins to harass Cacofonix here.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Page, Panel Comment
|
|
----------------------------------------------------------------------
|
|
Page 1, Panel 7 O fortunatos... = O farmers excessively fortunate if
|
|
only they recognized their blessings! (Virgil,
|
|
Georgics ii.458)
|
|
Page 10, Panel 6 Alea jacta est = the die is cast (Julius Caesar)
|
|
Page 10, Panel 9 Still digging it, in fact... the Channel Tunnel or
|
|
Chunnel.
|
|
Page 11, Panel 9 British cooking is notoriously bad.
|
|
Page 15, Panel 10 The Beatles
|
|
Page 22, Panel 6 "Little Brown Jug"
|
|
Page 32, Panel 3 Rugby
|
|
Page 32, Panel 8 Mufti: disguise
|
|
Page 33, Panel 6-7 Sacred goose and hen?
|
|
Page 44, Panel 6 Fluctuat nec mergitur = It is swayed by the waves
|
|
but does not sink. Motto of city of Paris???
|
|
|
|
|
|
Name (in order) Meaning:explained meaning. Comments
|
|
----------------------------------------------------------------------
|
|
Cassivellaunos Cassivellaunus: historical, fought Julius Caesar in
|
|
54 BC
|
|
Mykingdomforanos My kingdom for a nose: check out his nose compared
|
|
to the others
|
|
Anticlimax Anticlimax: a drop after a peak (climax)
|
|
O'veroptomistix Over optomistic: too favorable in prediction
|
|
McAnix Mechanics
|
|
Tullius
|
|
Stratocumulus Tullius is a Roman name, Stratcumulus: a type of
|
|
storm cloud.
|
|
Encyclopaedicus
|
|
Britannicus Encyclopedia Britannica: extremely comprehensive
|
|
reference encyclopedia
|
|
Dipsomaniax Dipsomaniac: Drinks too much
|
|
Haystax Hay stack
|
|
Anthrax Anthrax: virulent livestock disease
|
|
Tintax Tin tacks
|
|
Surtax Surtax: additional tax
|
|
Boadicea Boadicea was a queen of the Iceni in Britain who led
|
|
a futile revolt against the Romans in 61 AD.
|
|
Camulodonum Camulodonum: Modern city of Colchester, England
|
|
Durovernum ??? Must be some city in England
|
|
Hiphiphurrax Hip hip hurray
|
|
|
|
|
|
************************************************************************
|
|
|
|
Asterix and the Normans ((c) 1967)
|
|
By Goscinny and Udzerzo
|
|
English Translation by Anthea Bell and Derek Hockridge
|
|
|
|
|
|
Near the end of the early period. Drawing is nearly up to later
|
|
standards. Fulliautomatix settles into his role of Cacofonix bashing,
|
|
though he isn't named yet. Lots of names in this one. This introduces
|
|
that Dogmatix hates when trees are hurt.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Page, Panel Comment
|
|
----------------------------------------------------------------------
|
|
Page 2, Panel 5 Milan is in Italy. Hence, an Italian sportschariot.
|
|
Page 3, Panel 7 Catacombs: tunnels beneath the city. Paris has
|
|
extensive catacombs.
|
|
Page 4, Panel 11 Palace of Varietix: a nightclub in Paris???
|
|
Page 17, Panel 4 The Battle of Hastings, 1066 AD, the decisive battle
|
|
in the Norman conquest of England.
|
|
Page 21, Panel 9 Half-uncia: half-inch
|
|
Page 27, Panel 5 The Normans did quite a bit of raiding on the coast
|
|
of France later.
|
|
Page 30, Panel 4 Sol lucet omnibus = the sun shines for everyone.
|
|
Page 32, Panel 7 "This Old Man". Centum quinquaginta septum: 157.
|
|
Page 39, Panel 1 Horologium: clock.
|
|
Page 41, Panel 4 Sic transit gloria = And so the glory passes (said
|
|
at the coronation of a pope)
|
|
|
|
|
|
Name (in order) Meaning:explained meaning. Comments
|
|
----------------------------------------------------------------------
|
|
Postaldistrix Postal districts: areas for mail delivery
|
|
Doublehelix Double helix: a double intertwined sprial, the shape
|
|
of DNA
|
|
Justforkix Just for kicks
|
|
Olaf Timandahaf Time and a half: overtime pay rate
|
|
Nescaf Nescafe: an instant tea mix
|
|
Psychopaf Psychopath
|
|
Epitaf Epitaph: inscription on tombstone.
|
|
Cenotaf Cenotaph: empty tomb honoring person whose body is
|
|
elsewhere
|
|
Transportcaf Transport cafe (Brits say "caf" instead of "cafe") -
|
|
a greasy truckstop
|
|
Chiffchaf Chiffchaff: Small brown and green European bird
|
|
Operatix Operatic: like an opera
|
|
Acoustix Acoustics: the sound of a place
|
|
Polyfonix Polyfonics: multiple notes at once
|
|
Harmonix Harmonics: higher frequency "echoes" of a base tone
|
|
Riffraf Riffraff: the commoners
|
|
Fotograf Photograph
|
|
Oleaginus Oleaginous: oily, greasy
|
|
Caraf Carafe: bottle for beverages
|
|
Telegraf Telegraph
|
|
Polytechnix Polytechnic: skilled in many arts
|
|
Selfservix Self service
|
|
Firsthaf First half
|
|
Secondhaf Second half
|
|
Autograf Autograph
|
|
Toocleverbyhaf Too clever by half
|
|
|
|
Credits: Chris Adams for Transportcaf.
|
|
|
|
************************************************************************
|
|
|
|
Asterix the Legionary ((c) 1967)
|
|
By Goscinny and Udzerzo
|
|
English Translation by Anthea Bell and Derek Hockridge
|
|
American Translation by Robert Steven Caron
|
|
|
|
|
|
End of the early period. Although almost none of the other villagers
|
|
are named yet. The drawing is nicely settled in, though, and they've
|
|
all taken their final appearances.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Page, Panel Comment
|
|
----------------------------------------------------------------------
|
|
Page 9, Panel 1-2 Historically accurate
|
|
Page 13, Panel 2 Timeo Danaos... = I fear the Greeks even when they
|
|
bring gifts (Virgil, Aeneid ii.48).
|
|
Page 20, Panel 9 The British have a reputation for some of the
|
|
world's worst cuisine.
|
|
Page 21, Panel 10 Crystallized fruits = candied fruits.
|
|
Page 22, Panel 1 Maniple = 1/3 a cohort. Century = originally 100
|
|
menu, but here just a further subdivision of
|
|
maniple.
|
|
Page 27, Panel 5 Gateau a la creme = A very rich cake with cream.
|
|
Page 28, Panel 2 Pluto is the god of Hell
|
|
Page 30, Panel 1 "Never on Sunday!" ???
|
|
Page 32, Panel 1 Quo vadis = where are you going?
|
|
Page 35, Panel 7 Dignus est intrare = He is worthy of entering.
|
|
Page 37, Panel 7 Cogito, ergo sum = I think, therefore I am (Rene
|
|
Descartes). Anachronism.
|
|
Page 38, Panel 4 Alea jacta est = the die is cast (Julius Caesar)
|
|
Page 40, Panel 4 Phalanx = wide and deep formation, shields and
|
|
spears overlapping. Quincunx = square with one at
|
|
each corner and one in the center. Tortise =
|
|
formation with shields locking over heads, for when
|
|
besieging walls.
|
|
Page 40, Panel 6 (American) Cleopatra's Needle is either of two
|
|
ancient egyptian obelisks, one in New York City, the
|
|
other in London today.
|
|
|
|
|
|
English
|
|
Name (in order) Meaning:explained meaning. Comments
|
|
----------------------------------------------------------------------
|
|
Panacea Panacea: a cure-all
|
|
Soporifix Soporific: something that induces sleep
|
|
Postaldistrix Postal districts: areas for mail delivery.
|
|
Tragicomix Tragicomic: something having both tragic and
|
|
comedical aspects.
|
|
Pompey Historical person - Gnaeus Pompeius Magnus (106-48
|
|
BC), Roman general and triumvirate. Not pleased
|
|
when Caesar dissolved the trimvirate to become
|
|
supreme, civil war ensued.
|
|
Erroneus Erroneous: something incorrect
|
|
Neveratalos Never at a loss
|
|
Selectivemploy-
|
|
mentax Selective employment tax: British tax
|
|
Gastronomix Gastronomics: the art of good eating
|
|
Hemispheric Hemispheric: like half a sphere
|
|
Allegoric Allegoric: an allegory is basically a parable
|
|
Ptenisnet Tennis net
|
|
Nefarius Purpus Nefarious purpose: a fiendish goal
|
|
Dubius Status Dubious status
|
|
Juba, Afranius Both historical
|
|
Scipio Historical: Publius Cornelius Scipio Africanus.
|
|
Major time skew here, he lived approx 237-183 BC and
|
|
fought in the 2nd Punic war. Grandson Scipio was
|
|
184-129 BC.
|
|
H2SO4 (Vitriolix) Sulfuric acid: H2SO4 is the chemical formula, it's
|
|
occasionally known as vitriol
|
|
Garrulus Vinus Garrulous: talkative about unimportant things,
|
|
Vinus: wines.
|
|
|
|
|
|
American
|
|
Name (in order) Meaning:explained meaning. Comments
|
|
----------------------------------------------------------------------
|
|
Philharmonia Philharmonic: a society that sponsors a symphony
|
|
orchestra
|
|
Calorifix Calorific: produces heat
|
|
Philatelix Philatelic: having to do with stamps
|
|
Tragicomix Tragicomic: something having both tragic and
|
|
comedical aspects
|
|
Felonius Felonious: criminal
|
|
Anonymous Anonymous: not named
|
|
Valueaddedtax Value added tax: a British indirect sales tax paid
|
|
at each step of production and distribution of a
|
|
good based on the value added at that stage
|
|
Dietetix Dietetics: things that help lose weight.
|
|
Chimeric Chimeric: fantastic, unreal.
|
|
Metaforic Metaphoric: comparing something with something else
|
|
(blind as a bat).
|
|
Ptightnet Tight net.
|
|
Linguae Lapsus Lapses of the tongue
|
|
Crismus Bonus Christmas bonus
|
|
Juba, Afranius Both historical
|
|
Scipion Historical: Publius Cornelius Scipio Africanus.
|
|
Major time skew here, he lived approx 237-183 BC and
|
|
fought in the 2nd Punic war. Grandson Scipio was
|
|
184-129 BC
|
|
KGB (Bolshevix) The KGB was the security force / intelligence agency
|
|
of the USSR from 1954. The Bolsheviks later became
|
|
the USSR Communist party.
|
|
Cherri Liquorus Cherry licorice (or liquor)
|
|
|
|
|
|
************************************************************************
|
|
|
|
Asterix and the Chieftain's Shield ((c) 1968)
|
|
By Goscinny and Udzerzo
|
|
English Translation by Anthea Bell and Derek Hockridge
|
|
|
|
|
|
This one is heavy on the Latin phrases!
|
|
|
|
|
|
Page, Panel Comment
|
|
----------------------------------------------------------------------
|
|
Page 1, Panel 5 Ruber et niger = Red and black. Which is ???
|
|
Page 1, Panel 6 Diem perdidi = I have lost a day (Emperor Titus
|
|
39-81 AD)
|
|
Page 1, Panel 7 Quo vadis = where are you going?
|
|
Page 1, Panel 8 O tempora! O mores! = O the times! O the morals!
|
|
From Cicero's first oration against Cataline.
|
|
Page 5, Panel 6 I Timothy 5:23
|
|
Page 5, Panel 7 Now good digestion wait on appetite, and health on
|
|
both! (Shakespeare, Macbeth III.iv.38)
|
|
Page 11, Panel 3 Vade retro = get back. Audaces Fortuna juvat =
|
|
"Audentis Fortuna iuvat": fortune assists the bold
|
|
(Virgil, Aeneid x.284)
|
|
Page 13, Panel 3 Bangers = sausages to the British.
|
|
Page 14, Panel 2 Veni, vidi, vici: I came, I saw, I conquered (Julius
|
|
Caesar)
|
|
Page 14, Panel 3 Ab imo pectore = From the bottom of the heart
|
|
(literally: the chest).
|
|
Page 22, Panel 8 Sol lucet omnibus = the sun shines on everyone.
|
|
Page 26, Panel 2 Carpe diem: Sieze the day
|
|
Page 27, Panel 8 Demobbed: retired from the army
|
|
Page 42, Panel 9 Bis repetita don't always placent = Things said
|
|
twice don't always please. [Meaning:] It is
|
|
unpleasant to have to repeat things. [The classical
|
|
proverb is "bis repetita non placent", without the
|
|
"semper".]
|
|
|
|
Credits: Mark-Jason Dominus for "O tempora..."
|
|
|
|
|
|
Name (in order) Meaning:explained meaning. Comments
|
|
----------------------------------------------------------------------
|
|
Diagnostix Diagnostics: determining an illness
|
|
Noxius Vapus Noxious vapors: poisonous gasses
|
|
Wineanspirix Wine and spirits
|
|
Localpolitix Local politics
|
|
Forinpolitix Foreign politics
|
|
Thermostatix Thermostats
|
|
Caius Pusillanimus Pusilanimous: cowardly
|
|
Lucius
|
|
Circumbendibus Circumbendibus: a roundabout way
|
|
Anasthesia Anasthesia: pain killer
|
|
Memoranda Memorandum
|
|
Marcus Carniverus Carniverus: meat eating
|
|
Therapeutix Therapeutic: healing
|
|
Applejus Apple juice
|
|
Prunejus Prune juice
|
|
Carrotjus Carrot juice
|
|
Tomatojus Tomato juice
|
|
Titus Crapulus Crapulous: sick from drinking
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
************************************************************************
|
|
|
|
Asterix at the Olympic Games ((c) 1968)
|
|
By Goscinny and Udzerzo
|
|
English Translation by Anthea Bell and Derek Hockridge
|
|
American Translation by Robert Steven Caron
|
|
|
|
Always one of my favorites. Gluteus Maximus may have my vote for best
|
|
name ever. This one introduced Geriatrix as well.
|
|
|
|
There are several places in the American translation where he leaves
|
|
things from the English translation that make no sense given the rest of
|
|
his translation, for instance where he calls Solar Plexus (American
|
|
name) Gluteus Maximus (English name). Apparently he was using the
|
|
English text as a check. This looks to be his first attempt, it's not
|
|
as good as "Asterix the Legionary"
|
|
|
|
|
|
Page, Panel Comment
|
|
----------------------------------------------------------------------
|
|
Page 1, Panel 2 (American) Semper Fidelis: Always faithful, Marine
|
|
corps motto. E pluribus unum: United we stand
|
|
Page 1, Panel 2 (American) A plebe belongs to the lowest Roman
|
|
social class
|
|
Page 11, Panel 1 Et nunic, reges intelligite... erudimini qui
|
|
judicatis terram = And now, kings, please
|
|
understand... [or: understand the kings, depending
|
|
on whom the speaker is addressing] Learn [literally:
|
|
be taught], you who judge the earth.
|
|
Page 22, panel 8 (English) Asterix and the Banquet (the veal)
|
|
Page 25, Panel 10 The caption on the left says GOSCINNY and the one on
|
|
the right says UDERZO, and that's them in the
|
|
drawings. The upper carvings say DESPOTAS and
|
|
TYRANNOS, which mean "despots" and "tyrants"
|
|
Page 30, Panel 8 (English) Socci = ???
|
|
Page 30, Panel 10 Discoboli: discus throwers
|
|
Page 34, Panel 7 The Colossus of Rhodes was an incredibly huge statue
|
|
that stradled the entrance to their harbor
|
|
Page 36, Panel 9 Mens sana in corpore sano = sound mind in a sound
|
|
body (Juvenal, 60-130 AD, Satires x.356 )
|
|
Page 39, Panel 6 Quo vadis = where are you going?
|
|
Page 43, Panel 6 Quid = what? Quomodo = how?
|
|
|
|
|
|
English
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|
Name (in order) Meaning:explained meaning. Comments
|
|
----------------------------------------------------------------------
|
|
Gluteus Maxiumus A large buttock muscle
|
|
Bilius Bilious: related to the green bile secreted by the
|
|
liver, or bad-tempered
|
|
Gaius Veriambitius Very ambitious
|
|
Diabetes Diabetes: any disease characterized by excessive
|
|
urine discharge
|
|
Makalos Make a loss: lose money on something
|
|
Kudos Kudos: credit or praise
|
|
Phallintodiseus Fall into disuse
|
|
Thermos Thermos: an insulated bottle
|
|
Pugnatius Pgnacious: eager and ready to fight
|
|
Saintpancras Saint Pancras: ??? (pancratium is a Greek sport
|
|
combining wrestling and boxing)
|
|
Neuroses Neuroses: mental problems
|
|
Philibuster Filibuster: in the US Congress, a means of delaying
|
|
by talking for hours or even days
|
|
|
|
|
|
American
|
|
Name (in order) Meaning:explained meaning. Comments
|
|
----------------------------------------------------------------------
|
|
Solar Plexus Solar plexus: the area of the belly just below the
|
|
sternum
|
|
Doltus Dolt: idiot
|
|
Vain Glorius Vainglorius: boastful and proud
|
|
Panorama Panorama: picture that encircles the viewers
|
|
Midas Midas: mythical king, everything he touched turned
|
|
to gold
|
|
Taxiperilos Taxi perilous: dangerous taxi
|
|
Prometheus Prometheus: mythical titan who gave fire to man
|
|
Clytemnestra Clytemenstra: mythical wife of Agamemnon. She
|
|
killed him with the help of her lover, then was
|
|
killed by their son Orestes
|
|
Oedipus Oedipus: mythical King- unknowingly killed his
|
|
father and married his mother, put his eyes out
|
|
Invinoveritas In vino veritas: In wine is truth
|
|
Vexatius Vexatious: irritating
|
|
Dallos ???
|
|
Grossomodo Combination of gross and Quasimodo (the hunchback of
|
|
Notre Dame)
|
|
Malapropos Malapropos: something said that is not approriate
|
|
--
|
|
Two cars in every pot and a chicken in every garage.
|
|
|
|
From: rdippold@cancun.qualcomm.com (Ron Dippold)
|
|
Newsgroups: rec.arts.comics.misc
|
|
Subject: Asterix Annotations 2/2
|
|
Message-ID: <rdippold.726477779@cancun>
|
|
Date: Fri, 8 Jan 1993 07:22:59 GMT
|
|
Organization: Qualcomm, Inc., San Diego, CA
|
|
Lines: 991
|
|
|
|
[
|
|
The Asterix Annotations 1.00 (English and American translations)
|
|
Maintained and mostly by Ron Dippold (rdippold@qualcomm.com)
|
|
Copyright 1993, All Rights Reserved.
|
|
Part 2
|
|
]
|
|
|
|
************************************************************************
|
|
|
|
Asterix in Spain ((c) 1969)
|
|
By Goscinny and Udzerzo
|
|
English Translation by Anthea Bell and Derek Hockridge
|
|
|
|
The names in the English translation, while few, are some of the best
|
|
ever.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Page, Panel Comment
|
|
----------------------------------------------------------------------
|
|
Page 1, Panel 5 Spanish uses the exclamation point and question mark
|
|
at the end of a sentence as we do and at the
|
|
beginning, upside down.
|
|
Page 2, Panel 3 Veni, vidi, vici: I came, I saw, I conquered (Julius
|
|
Caesar)
|
|
Page 11, Panel 2 Beati pauperes spiritu = Blessed are the poor in
|
|
spirit. (Matt. 5:3, King James)
|
|
Page 11, Panel 9 Aquae sulis chaps = ???
|
|
Page 16, Panel 5 "I'm Dreaming of a White Christmas"
|
|
Page 19. Panel 9 Salisbury Plain is Stonehenge
|
|
Page 28, Panel 4 Don Quixote and Sancho Panza
|
|
Page 29, Panel 2 Replete: stuffed, gorged
|
|
Page 40, Panel 4 Panem et circenses = bread and circuses (Juvenal,
|
|
Satires x.80 60-130AD)
|
|
Page 44, Panel 4 Aurochs = nearly extinct European bison
|
|
|
|
|
|
Name (in order) Meaning:explained meaning. Comments
|
|
----------------------------------------------------------------------
|
|
Huevos Y Bacon Eggs and bacon
|
|
Spurius
|
|
Brontosaurus Spurious: irrelevant, trivial; Brontosaurus: large
|
|
dinosaur, now called Apatosaurus
|
|
Raucus
|
|
Hallelujachorus Raucous: loud; Hallelujah chorus: chorus found
|
|
often in church hymns which consists of the word
|
|
hallelujah repeated.
|
|
Pericles An Athenian general and statesman
|
|
Nodepositon el
|
|
Sodasiphon No deposit on soda bottle
|
|
Oloroso el Fiasco Oloroso: smelly; fiasco: total disaster
|
|
Obsequius Obsequious: fawning, overly submissive
|
|
Begonia Begonia: a type of flower
|
|
|
|
|
|
************************************************************************
|
|
|
|
Asterix and the Cauldron ((c) 1969)
|
|
By Goscinny and Udzerzo
|
|
English Translation by Anthea Bell and Derek Hockridge
|
|
|
|
Except for the tax collector, this one is pretty forgettable.
|
|
|
|
Page, Panel Comment
|
|
----------------------------------------------------------------------
|
|
Page 9, Panel 2 Quo vadis = where are you going?
|
|
Page 11, Panel 8 Ubi solitudinem faciunt, pacem appellant = Where
|
|
they make a wilderness and call it peace (Tacitus
|
|
56-120 AD, Agricola 42)
|
|
Page 22, Panel 3 Ave Caesar, morituri...: Hail Caesar, we who are
|
|
about to die salute you. Said by gladiators in the
|
|
circus before fighting.
|
|
Page 29, Panel 8 Hippodrome: literally, "horse racetrack"
|
|
Page 37, Panel 8 Quid pro quo = something in return for something
|
|
else
|
|
|
|
|
|
Name (in order) Meaning:explained meaning. Comments
|
|
----------------------------------------------------------------------
|
|
Chief Whosemorals-
|
|
arelastix Chief whose morals are elastic
|
|
Pigskidnix Pigs kidneys
|
|
Antibiotix Antibiotics: medicines for various infectious
|
|
diseases
|
|
Laurensolivius Laurence Olivier: famous actor
|
|
Alecguinus Alec Guinness: famous actor
|
|
Confidenstrix Confidence tricks: criminal activities which involve
|
|
gaining the confidence of the victim
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
************************************************************************
|
|
|
|
Asterix and the Roman Agent ((c) 1970)
|
|
By Goscinny and Udzerzo
|
|
English Translation by Anthea Bell and Derek Hockridge
|
|
|
|
The dialogue is some of the best ever. Are the word balloons colored in
|
|
other language versions?
|
|
|
|
|
|
Page, Panel Comment
|
|
----------------------------------------------------------------------
|
|
Page 1, Panel 4 Pleb=member of the lowest class in Roman society.
|
|
Plebiscite=a popular vote on some matter
|
|
Page 1, Panel 5 Mon repos: (French) My rest. Mea Requies: My rest.
|
|
Page 5, Panel 7 Coventry: banishment. Used by the Cavaliers in the
|
|
17th century since the town was strongly Roundhead
|
|
allied.
|
|
Page 7, Panel 4 Auri sacra fames = cursed craving for gold! (Virgil,
|
|
Aeneid iii.6)
|
|
Page 26, Panel 8 Quid? = What?
|
|
|
|
Name (in order) Meaning:explained meaning. Comments
|
|
----------------------------------------------------------------------
|
|
Stradivarius Stradivarius: very famous maker of violins
|
|
Brutus Historical: Marcus Junius Brutus, adopted son of
|
|
Julius Caesar and one of the conspirators who
|
|
murdered him
|
|
Tortuous
|
|
Convulvulus Tortuous=twisted; convulvulus=twining plants,
|
|
funnel-shaped flowers and triangular leaves,
|
|
blindweed.
|
|
Pompey Historical person - Gnaeus Pompeius Magnus (106-48
|
|
BC), Roman general and triumvirate. Not pleased
|
|
when Caesar dissolved the trimvirate to become
|
|
supreme, civil war ensued.
|
|
Aberdeenangus Aberdeen Angus: a breed of black, hornless cattle
|
|
from Scottland, raised for beef (Black Angus)
|
|
Giantortus Giant tortoise
|
|
Felix Platypus Platypus: duckbill, a strange marsupial
|
|
Magnumopus Magnum opus: someone's greatest work
|
|
Homunculus Homunculus: little man, dwarf
|
|
|
|
|
|
************************************************************************
|
|
|
|
Asterix in Switzerland ((c) 1970)
|
|
By Goscinny and Udzerzo
|
|
English Translation by Anthea Bell and Derek Hockridge
|
|
|
|
|
|
Page, Panel Comment
|
|
----------------------------------------------------------------------
|
|
Page 2, Panel 8 Half pint of mild and bitter: British beer.
|
|
Page 3, Panel 6 Tripe = part of the stomach, aurochs = a large,
|
|
almost extinct European bison.
|
|
Page 8, Panel 4 Valetudinarium = place of poor health
|
|
Page 8, Panel 7 Air in the arteries is a quick way to kill someone
|
|
Page 16, Panel 1 I can't quite see what this looked like in the
|
|
original, but it's been redrawn as the Michelin Man.
|
|
Page 19, Panel 10 Maior e longinquo reverentia = Greater is the
|
|
respect [that comes] from a long time ago.
|
|
Page 20, Panel 9 Leman Lake is an old name for Lake Geneva
|
|
Page 30, Panel 7 What building is this today???
|
|
Page 32, Panel 5 Nunc est bibendum = now for drinks (Horace, Odes
|
|
I.xxxvii.1)
|
|
|
|
|
|
Name (in order) Meaning:explained meaning. Comments
|
|
----------------------------------------------------------------------
|
|
Impresario Fellinus Impresario: manager of theater/orchestra/opera
|
|
company. Fellinus is the famous Fellini.
|
|
Caius Eucalyptus Eucalyptus: tall Australian evergreen trees.
|
|
Varius Flavus Various flavors
|
|
Quaestor Vexatius
|
|
Sinusitus Quaestor: state treasurer; vexatious: irritating;
|
|
sinusitus: inflamed sinuses
|
|
Curius Odus Curious odors
|
|
Malodorus Caseus Malodorous caseous: smelly and cheeselike.
|
|
Petitsuix Petite sweets: small candies
|
|
Zurix Zurich: a Swiss city famous for banking
|
|
|
|
|
|
************************************************************************
|
|
|
|
The Mansions of the Gods ((c) 1971)
|
|
By Goscinny and Udzerzo
|
|
English Translation by Anthea Bell and Derek Hockridge
|
|
|
|
|
|
One of the two that doesn't mention Asterix in the title. Asterix and
|
|
... probably would have made it too long. Very low on named extras and
|
|
no pirates.
|
|
|
|
Page, Panel Comment
|
|
----------------------------------------------------------------------
|
|
Page 10, Panel 2 Beati pauperes spiritu = Blessed are the poor in
|
|
spirit. (Matt. 5:3, King James)
|
|
Page 12, Panel 2 Gnothe Seauton = ???
|
|
Page 24, Panel 3 Veni, vidi, vici = I came, I saw, I conquered
|
|
(Julius Caesar)
|
|
Page 26, Panel 1 XIses = elevenses, British late morning tea.
|
|
Page 37, Panel 5 "The Twelve Days of Christmas". Xmas (purposely)
|
|
occurs near the winter Solstice.
|
|
Page 37, Panel 6 Quousque tandem = To what point at last [O Cataline,
|
|
wilt thou abuse our patience!] (from Cicero's First
|
|
Catalinarian)
|
|
Page 40, Panel 2 Atrium = lobby, triclinium = dining room with couch
|
|
|
|
|
|
Credits: Robert S. Hill for the Cicero quote.
|
|
|
|
Name (in order) Meaning:explained meaning. Comments
|
|
----------------------------------------------------------------------
|
|
Sqauronthehypotenus Square on the hypotenuse: the hypotenuse is the long
|
|
diagonal line in a triangle with a 90 degree right
|
|
angle. The square of the lengths of the two other
|
|
lines is the length of the hypotenuse squared. Or,
|
|
"square on" in construction means that the expected
|
|
right angle is indeed right.
|
|
Somniferus Somniferous: sleep inducing
|
|
Flaturtha Flaturtha: gas in the stomach or intestines
|
|
Showbisinus Show business. Does he look like any particular
|
|
game show host, or just all of them???
|
|
|
|
|
|
************************************************************************
|
|
|
|
Asterix and the Laurel Wreath ((c) 1972)
|
|
By Goscinny and Udzerzo
|
|
English Translation by Anthea Bell and Derek Hockridge
|
|
|
|
|
|
The backgrounds look a bit strange on this one for some reason, and the
|
|
writing in the word balloons is thinner and more slanted. Perhaps
|
|
Uderzo was trying a thinner pen. If so, it doesn't survive into the
|
|
next book.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Page, Panel Comment
|
|
----------------------------------------------------------------------
|
|
Page 1, Panel 4 Sicambres: Sicilians
|
|
Page 18, Panel 1 Cubilculum: sleeping area. Triclinium: dining room
|
|
with couches
|
|
Page 24, Panel 5 Quo vadis = where are you going?
|
|
Page 24, Panel 8 Vadere quo = To go where?
|
|
Page 26, Panel 4 Gloria victis = Glory to the vanquished. Veritas
|
|
odium parit = Truth gives birth to hate.
|
|
Page 29, Panel 5 Delenda (est) Carthago = Carthage must be destroyed.
|
|
Famous speech.
|
|
Page 33, Panel 3 Tarpeian rock = a cliff on Capitoline Hill in Rome
|
|
from which traitors were thrown to their death.
|
|
Page 36, Panel 7 Is he anyone ???
|
|
Page 37, Panel 5 Sicarii= ??? effractores=??? raptores=???
|
|
|
|
|
|
Name (in order) Meaning:explained meaning. Comments
|
|
----------------------------------------------------------------------
|
|
Homeopathix Homeopathy: "medical" theory of giving the patient
|
|
very small amounts of drugs which in large doses
|
|
would produce similar symptoms to the disease
|
|
Tapioca A bland pudding
|
|
Seminola A British school lunch dessert: "a really discusting
|
|
cream sludge, with the texture of sand"
|
|
Kumakros Come across
|
|
Typhus Typhus: nasty infections disease
|
|
Fibula Thin outer leg bone between knee and ankle
|
|
Tibia Thicker inner leg bone between knee and ankle
|
|
Metatarsus The five bones in the foot between ankle and toes
|
|
Osseus Humerus Osseus: bonelike; humerus: bone in arm from shoulder
|
|
to elbow
|
|
Autodidax Autodicact: someone self-taught
|
|
Goldendelicius Golden delicious: type of green-yellow apple
|
|
Locus Classicus Locus classicus: a passage often cited as
|
|
authorative or illustrative - classical reference
|
|
Titus Nisprius Nisprius: court in which a cause of action is
|
|
originally heard
|
|
Cato Historical: Cato the Elder (the Censor) 234-149 BC,
|
|
Roman statesman
|
|
Habeuscorpus Habeus corpus: safeguards against illegal detention
|
|
or imprisonment
|
|
|
|
Credits: Chris Adams for seminola.
|
|
|
|
************************************************************************
|
|
|
|
Asterix and the Soothsayer ((c) 1972)
|
|
By Goscinny and Udzerzo
|
|
English Translation by Anthea Bell and Derek Hockridge
|
|
|
|
|
|
Page, Panel Comment
|
|
----------------------------------------------------------------------
|
|
Page 5, Panel 7 Brutus killed Caesar with a dagger
|
|
Page 40, Panel 2 Romulus and Remus are the legendary founders of
|
|
Rome, raised by a she-wolf
|
|
|
|
|
|
Name (in order) Meaning:explained meaning. Comments
|
|
----------------------------------------------------------------------
|
|
Intelligensia (MI5) M.I.5 is a British intelligence agency concerned
|
|
with state security
|
|
Mania Mania: a madness
|
|
Prolix Prolix: long-winded, wordy
|
|
Myopia Myopia: literal shortsightedness
|
|
Voluptuous
|
|
Arteriosclerosus Voluptuous: more than ample; ateriosclerosis:
|
|
hardening of the artieries
|
|
Statistix Statstics
|
|
Bulbus Crocus Bulbous crocus: a flower of the iris family in its
|
|
bolbous root state.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
************************************************************************
|
|
|
|
Asterix in Corsica ((c) 1973)
|
|
By Goscinny and Udzerzo
|
|
English Translation by Anthea Bell and Derek Hockridge
|
|
|
|
|
|
This is sort of a "reunion" issue at the beginning. I'm not going to
|
|
redo all the names, I'll just point back to the original stories. It
|
|
also contains a picture of the isle of Corsica with a massive number of
|
|
forts on it, all named... That I'll do separately.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fort (Clockwise) Meaning:explained meaning. Comments
|
|
----------------------------------------------------------------------
|
|
Geranium A flower
|
|
Postscriptum Postscript: p.s. at the end of a letter
|
|
Delphinium Small member of the buttercup family
|
|
Ultimatum A final demand
|
|
Auditorium
|
|
Podium A speaking stand
|
|
Pandemonium Confusion
|
|
Bunkum B.S., garbage
|
|
Welcum Welcome
|
|
Album
|
|
Tedium Something boring
|
|
Addendum An addition
|
|
Vademecum Something carried around for constant use
|
|
Memorandum
|
|
Potassium An element
|
|
Aluminum An element
|
|
Desideratum Something needed and wanted
|
|
Quoderatdemon-
|
|
strandum (east) Quod erat demonstrandum = which was the thing to be
|
|
proved (Euclid). Used in proofs as QED.
|
|
Sodium An element
|
|
Saeculasaeculorum Saecula saeculorum: world without end (from Catholic
|
|
Latin Mass)
|
|
Strontium An element
|
|
Referendum A meeting on a subject
|
|
Adinfinitum Ad infinitum: so on to infinity
|
|
Sternum The flat bone your ribs attach to in front
|
|
Quoderatdemon-
|
|
strandum (west) See QED (east)
|
|
Chrysanthemum A flower
|
|
Minimum
|
|
Maximum
|
|
Opossum
|
|
Humdrum Boring, commonplace
|
|
Indecorum Lack of good conduct
|
|
Modicum A little bit
|
|
Calcium An element
|
|
Crematorium Where they burn corpses
|
|
Chewingum Chewing gum
|
|
Euphonium A brass wind instrument
|
|
Opium A drug
|
|
Harmonium Small reed organ
|
|
Premium Extra charge for something in demand
|
|
Mausoleum Above ground burial house for dead people
|
|
Vanitasvanitatum Vanitas vanitatum: vanity of vanities (Ecclesiastes
|
|
1:2, Vulgate)
|
|
Radium An element
|
|
Hum
|
|
Axium Axiom: something universally accepted as true
|
|
Pendulum
|
|
Factotum A handyman
|
|
|
|
|
|
Page, Panel Comment
|
|
----------------------------------------------------------------------
|
|
Page 1, Panel 3 Alea jacta est = the die is cast (Julius Caesar)
|
|
Page 9, Panel 1 Asterix in Switzerland
|
|
Page 9, Panel 2 Asterix in Spain
|
|
Page 9, Panel 3 Asterix the Gladiator
|
|
Page 9, Panel 4 Asterix in Britain
|
|
Page 9, Panel 5 Asterix and the Banquet
|
|
Page 9, Panel 6 Asterix and the Chieftain's Shield
|
|
Page 14, Panel 10 O tempora, o mores = O the times! O the morals!
|
|
From Cicero's first oration against Cataline.
|
|
Page 15, Panel 8 Errare humanum est = Errare humanum est = to err is
|
|
human (Alexander Pope, An Essay on Criticism l.525)
|
|
Page 18, Panel 8 Felix qui... = lucky is he who has been able to
|
|
understand the causes of things. (Virgil, Georgics
|
|
ii.490)
|
|
Page 21, Panel 5 Ballot boxes... ???
|
|
Page 43, Panel 7 ???
|
|
|
|
Credits: Mark-Jason Dominus for "O tempora..."
|
|
|
|
|
|
Name (in order) Meaning:explained meaning. Comments
|
|
----------------------------------------------------------------------
|
|
Perfidius Perfidious: evil
|
|
Hippopotamus Hippopotamus
|
|
Boneywasawarrior-
|
|
wayayix Boney was a warrior, way ay ay... this is a line
|
|
from a song about Napoleon Bonaparte (Boney). The
|
|
"pom tiddley pom" etc. are others.
|
|
Vermicellix Vermicelli: a pasta
|
|
Mortadella An Italian sausage
|
|
Courtingdisastu Courting disaster
|
|
Lethargix Lethargic: tired, sleepy
|
|
Carferrix Carferrax (or carfax): a place where four roads
|
|
meet. British.
|
|
Olabellamargaritix O la bella Margarita: must be another song ???
|
|
Violincellix Violin (and) cellos
|
|
Chipolata A small thin sausage
|
|
Salamix Salami
|
|
Potatognocchix Potato gnocchi: small potato dumplings with sauce
|
|
Seminolagnocchix Seminola gnocchi: Seminola is a British school lunch
|
|
dessert: "a really discusting cream sludge, with the
|
|
texture of sand"
|
|
Spaghettix Spaghetti
|
|
Raviolix Ravioli
|
|
Tagliatellix Tagliatelli: a pasta
|
|
Cannellonix Cannelloni: a pasta
|
|
Lasagnix Lasagna
|
|
Tortellinix Tortellini: a pasta
|
|
MacAronix Macaroni
|
|
Desiderata A famous poem
|
|
Fettucinix Fettucini: a pasta
|
|
Errata Errata: later corrections to a book
|
|
Rigatonix Rigatoni: a pasta
|
|
|
|
Credits: Simone Oke for Boneywasawarriorwayayix. Chris Adams for
|
|
Seminola.
|
|
|
|
************************************************************************
|
|
|
|
Asterix and Caesar's Gift ((c) 1974)
|
|
By Goscinny and Udzerzo
|
|
English Translation by Anthea Bell and Derek Hockridge
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Page, Panel Comment
|
|
----------------------------------------------------------------------
|
|
Page 1, Panel 1 Vinum et musica laetificant cor = Wine and music
|
|
make the heart merry. [Variation on the proverbial
|
|
"vinum bonum laetificat cor hominis".] De mortuis
|
|
nil nisi bonum = About the dead [say] nothing but
|
|
good.
|
|
Page 1, Panel 4 Demob = retirement from the military
|
|
Page 3, Panel 1 Legio expedita! = Attention! (literally "Legion, to
|
|
order!")
|
|
Page 4, Panel 1 Qui habet aures audiendi audiat = "Let he that hath
|
|
ears to hear, let him hear" (Mark 4:9)
|
|
Page 27, Panel 5 I am more an antique Roman than a Dane (Shakespeare,
|
|
Hamlet I.ii.355)
|
|
Page 27, Panel 6 Fat, and scant of breath (Hamlet) O! that this too
|
|
too solid flesh would melt (Hamlet I.ii.129) Give
|
|
us the foils! (Hamlet V.ii.200).
|
|
Page 27, Panel 7 A hit, a very palpable hit. (Hamlet V.ii.295)
|
|
Page 27, Panel 8 The rest is silence. (Hamlet V.ii.372)
|
|
Page 27, Panel 9 Zorro cuts a Z on the chests of his enemies
|
|
|
|
Credits: Prabhakar Ragde for exact citation for "Give us the foils".
|
|
|
|
|
|
Name (in order) Meaning:explained meaning. Comments
|
|
----------------------------------------------------------------------
|
|
Tremensdelirious Delirious tremens: shaking condition caused by
|
|
overdosing on alcohol. The "DTs".
|
|
Egganlettus Egg and lettuce
|
|
Angina Angina: a localized spasm of pain
|
|
Influenza Influenza: the flu virus
|
|
Orthapedix Orthapedix: the treatment of foot problems
|
|
Dithyrambix Dithyramb: any wildly emotion speech or writing
|
|
Tonsillitus Tonsillitis: inflamation of the tonsils
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
************************************************************************
|
|
|
|
Asterix and the Great Crossing ((c) 1975)
|
|
By Goscinny and Udzerzo
|
|
English Translation by Anthea Bell and Derek Hockridge
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basically "Asterix in America... and a bit of Denmark" The only book
|
|
that actually uses a normal name (that's not historical).
|
|
|
|
|
|
Page, Panel Comment
|
|
----------------------------------------------------------------------
|
|
Page 4, Panel 2 Ira furor brevis est = anger is a short madness
|
|
(Horace, Epistles I.ii.62)
|
|
Page 5, Panel 2 The contents of the magic potion seem to change at
|
|
whim. This contradicts other books.
|
|
Page 9, Panel 3 Donec eris felix, multos numerabis amicos / Tempora
|
|
si fuerint nublia, solus eris. = As long as you are
|
|
lucky, you'll have many friends; / But should the
|
|
times become cloudy you'll be alone. (Traditional
|
|
dystich).
|
|
Page 18, Panel 8 US military insignia, Air Force I think
|
|
Page 19, Panel 6 The 50 star portion of the US flag
|
|
Page 21, Panel 10 More US military insignia
|
|
Page 31, Panel 7 The Statue of Liberty, given to the US by France
|
|
Page 32, Panel 4 Said by Neil Armstrong, first man on the moon
|
|
Page 37, Panel 4 Niflheim = Hell
|
|
Page 41, Panel 1 "Something is rotten in the state of Denmark"
|
|
(Shakespeare, Hamlet, I.iv.90). The skull is from
|
|
Hamlet V.i.201.
|
|
|
|
Credits: Sergio Gelato for the dystich.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Name (in order) Meaning:explained meaning. Comments
|
|
----------------------------------------------------------------------
|
|
Huntingseassen Hunting season
|
|
Herendethelessen Here endeth the lesson
|
|
Steptoanssen Steptoe Hansen: From Steptoe and Son, a British
|
|
comedy show from the 60's
|
|
Haraldwilssen Harold Wilson: 60's/70's British Labour prime
|
|
minister
|
|
Nogoodreassen No good reason
|
|
Odiuscomparissen Odious comparisson
|
|
Gertrude Gertrude: standard feminine name
|
|
Intrude Intrude: to force in upon
|
|
Irmgard Irmgard: standard feminine name
|
|
Firegard Fireguard: some material built to withstand fire
|
|
Catastrofix Catastrophic: disastrous
|
|
|
|
Credits: Chris Adams for Steptoeanssen and Haraldwilssen
|
|
|
|
************************************************************************
|
|
|
|
Obelix and Co. ((c) 1976)
|
|
By Goscinny and Udzerzo
|
|
English Translation by Anthea Bell and Derek Hockridge
|
|
|
|
The other book without Asterix in the title. And Obelix does pretty
|
|
much star in this one. More political satire.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Page, Panel Comment
|
|
----------------------------------------------------------------------
|
|
Page 2, Panel 5 The two guys carrying the drunk one look like Uderzo
|
|
and Goscinny
|
|
Page 8, Panel 7 LSE = London School of Economics. Who's he supposed
|
|
to look like???
|
|
Page 8, Panel 10 The guy on the right has gout
|
|
Page 17, Panel 6 Veni, vidi, vici: I came, I saw, I conquered (Julius
|
|
Caesar)
|
|
Page 23, Panel 5 Laurel and Hardy
|
|
Page 29, Panel 6 Redde Caesar...: Render unto Caesar that which is
|
|
Caesar's. (Matt 22:21). Anachronism.
|
|
Page 29, Panel 8 Si vis pacem, para bellum = If you want peace,
|
|
prepare for war. (Vegetius, 4th-5th cent. AD)
|
|
Page 31, Panel 4 Alea jacta est = the die is cast (Julius Caesar)
|
|
Page 34, Panel 9 That symbol is Romulus and Remus, the legendary
|
|
founders of Rome, being suckled by a she-wolf
|
|
Page 36, Panel 9 Uti, non abuti = Use, don't abuse.
|
|
|
|
Name (in order) Meaning:explained meaning. Comments
|
|
----------------------------------------------------------------------
|
|
Scrofulus Scrofulous: Morally corrupt
|
|
Ignoramus Ignoramus: ignorant and stupid
|
|
Caius Preposterus Preposterous: unbelievable
|
|
Larcenus Larcenous: inclined to theft
|
|
Analgesix Analgesics: rub-on medicines to ease pain
|
|
Monosyllabix Monosyllabic: speaking in single syllables
|
|
Polysyllabix Polysyllabic: speaking in big words
|
|
Pacifix Pacific Ocean
|
|
Atlantix Atlantic Ocean
|
|
Baltix Baltic Sea
|
|
Adriatix Adriatic Sea
|
|
Woolix Wooly. Or Woolworths?
|
|
Incongruous Incongrous: something out of place
|
|
Meretricius Meretricious: like a prostitute, false showy charms
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
************************************************************************
|
|
|
|
The Twelve Tasks of Asterix ((c) 1976)
|
|
|
|
This is a bit different. It's a book from the movie. Several of the
|
|
books were made into movies (Asterix and Cleopatra was pretty decent,
|
|
but this went the other way). It has pictures, but only as
|
|
illustrations (drawn, not from the movie), and it has a heck of a lot
|
|
more text. It doesn't seem to be written by Goscinny and Uderzo, nor
|
|
translated by Bell and Hockridge. Not much to do here, it's written to
|
|
a lower level. All of it is noncanonical.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Page Comment
|
|
----------------------------------------------------------------------
|
|
Page 6 The first and probably only time you'll see a naked
|
|
female breast in Asterix books
|
|
Page 7 All the Hercules stuff is true to myth
|
|
Page 44 Ave Caesar! Morituri... = Hail Caesar! We who are
|
|
about to die salute you
|
|
|
|
|
|
Name (in order) Meaning:explained meaning. Comments
|
|
----------------------------------------------------------------------
|
|
Caius Tiddlus Tiddly: British for drunk, tipsy
|
|
Asbestos Fire-retardant material
|
|
Verses Divisions in a poem
|
|
Cylindric Having a cylindrical shape (like a roll of paper)
|
|
Iris The colored portion of the eye
|
|
Calorifix Calorific: something that generates heat
|
|
|
|
|
|
************************************************************************
|
|
|
|
Asterix in Belgium ((c) 1979)
|
|
By Goscinny and Udzerzo
|
|
English Translation by Anthea Bell and Derek Hockridge
|
|
|
|
This one has a _lot_ of "guest appearances." I'm sure I've missed a
|
|
few. This is the last Asterix Goscinny wrote before his death. The
|
|
translators did an _exceptional_ job. Something that yanks my chain is
|
|
that the translators give "Apologies to: George Gordon, Lord Byron, Mr.
|
|
Mm. Shakespeare, Mr. John Milton, and Pieter Breughel the Elder" I've
|
|
found all the rest, but I can't find anything on George Gordon. I
|
|
suspect the "Nearer, clearer, deadlier than before..." but can't prove
|
|
anything. Help!
|
|
|
|
|
|
Page, Panel Comment
|
|
----------------------------------------------------------------------
|
|
Page 4, Panel 10 Is this historical???
|
|
Page 5, Panel 5 This is the case today.
|
|
Page 15, Panel 6 Pseudonymus is in Asterix's old squad from "Asterix
|
|
the Legionaire"
|
|
Page 17, Panel 3 The Belgians are famous for their food
|
|
Page 22, Panel 1 Non licet omnibus adire corinthum = It is not given
|
|
to everyone to reach Corinth. This is close to
|
|
Horace, "Non cuivis homini contingit adire
|
|
Corinthum": Not everyone is lucky enough to get to
|
|
Corinth (Horace, Epistles I.xvii.35)
|
|
Page 27, Panel 8 The Thompson Twins, from Tintin
|
|
Page 29, Panel 7 Who is this???
|
|
Page 31, Panel 5 Moritorus te saluto = I who am about to die salute
|
|
you. Again a reference to "Morturi te saluto" said
|
|
by gladiators saluting the Emperor.
|
|
Page 35, Panel 4 Who is this??? Alea jacta est = the die is cast
|
|
(Julius Caesar)
|
|
Page 35, panel 6 Who is this???
|
|
Page 36, Panel 3 But hush! hark! a deep sound strikes like a rising
|
|
knell! ... Arm! Arm! It is - it is - the cannon's
|
|
opening roar! (Lord Byron, Beppo c.III.s.23)
|
|
Page 37, Panel 1 I suspect this is Beppo c.III stanza 24, but I don't
|
|
have it to check against. ???
|
|
Page 37, Panel 3 Xenophobia: dislike of foreigners
|
|
Page 39, Panel 1 Did ye not hear it? No -- 'twas but the wind / Or
|
|
the car rattling o'er the stony street; / On with
|
|
the dance! (Beppo c.III.s.12)
|
|
Page 39, Panel 5 Nearer, clearer, deadlier than before... ???
|
|
Page 40, Panel 1 Cry "Havoc!" and let slip the dogs of war
|
|
(Shakespeare, Julius Caesar III.i.273)
|
|
Page 41, Panel 1 But yesterday the word of Caesar might / Have stood
|
|
against the world (Julius Caesar III.ii.124)
|
|
Page 41, Panel 2 Chaos umpire sits... Chance governs all. (Milton,
|
|
Paradise Lost bk.II.l.907)
|
|
Page 41, Panel 5 "Publish and be damned!" Arthur Wellesley, Duke of
|
|
Wellington is reputed to have said this to someone
|
|
who was blackmailing him.
|
|
Page 41, Panel 7 With ruin upon ruin, rout upon rout, Confusion worse
|
|
confounded (Paradise Lost bk.II.l995)
|
|
Page 42, Panel 1 This is in the style of a famous painting by Pieter
|
|
Breughel the Elder. Name of it is ???
|
|
|
|
Credits: Mark-Jason Dominus for "Publish and be damned!"
|
|
|
|
Name (in order) Meaning:explained meaning. Comments
|
|
----------------------------------------------------------------------
|
|
Pseudonymus Pseudonym: a name used instead of the author's real
|
|
name
|
|
Beefix Beefy
|
|
Brawnix Brawny
|
|
Melancholix Melancholy: depressed
|
|
Alcoholix Alcoholic
|
|
Potbellix Potbellied
|
|
Bonanza Bonanza: a source of wealth or profits
|
|
Saintlouisblus Saint Louis blues.
|
|
Wolfgangamadeus Wolfgang Amadeus: the first and middle names of
|
|
Mozart
|
|
Monotonus Monotonous: boring
|
|
Botanix Botany: the study of plants
|
|
Califlowa Cauliflower
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
************************************************************************
|
|
|
|
Asterix and the Great Divide ((c) 1980)
|
|
By Udzerzo
|
|
English Translation by Anthea Bell and Derek Hockridge
|
|
|
|
This is the first book after Goscinny's death. Uderzo was the artist,
|
|
so the adventures can continue. The story here isn't quite as memorable
|
|
as some of the best Asterixes, but is actually pretty good. If you've
|
|
seen any of Goscinny's other work (such as the Caliph with Tabary)
|
|
you'll see that he wasn't as good by himself, either. It was just a
|
|
team that worked.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Page, Panel Comment
|
|
----------------------------------------------------------------------
|
|
Page 10, Panel 4 O Romeo, Romeo! wherefore art thou, Romeo
|
|
(Shakespeare, Romeo and Juliet II.ii.33)
|
|
Page 14, Panel 9 Nunc dimittis = leave now (Vulgate, Ev. S. Luc 2:29)
|
|
Page 28, Panel 4 Requiescamus in pace = Let us rest in peace (Latin
|
|
Mass: Requiescant in pace).
|
|
Page 38, Panel 1 Caveat emptor = let the buyer beware
|
|
Page 40, Panel 1 Aqua vitae = strong alcohol. Terra firma = solid
|
|
ground
|
|
|
|
Name (in order) Meaning:explained meaning. Comments
|
|
----------------------------------------------------------------------
|
|
Cleverdix Clever Dick: Americans might say "wise ass".
|
|
Majestix Majestic: regal, kinglike
|
|
Histrionix Histrionics: an artifical or affectic manner,
|
|
excessive dramatics
|
|
Codfix Codfish
|
|
Altruistix Altruistic: unselfish concern for welfare of others
|
|
Alcaponix Al Capone: famous American mobster of the 30's
|
|
Melodrama Melodrama: extravagantly emotional. Much like
|
|
histrionics
|
|
Angelica Angelic
|
|
Schizophrenix Schizophrenic: a mental disorder. In popular use a
|
|
split personality.
|
|
Sourpus Sourpuss
|
|
Infectius Virus Infectious virus: transmittable disease
|
|
Umbrageous
|
|
Cumulonimbus Umbrageous: giving shade; cumulonimbus: storm cloud
|
|
Congenitalidiotix Congenital idiot: idiocy caused by a birth defect
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
************************************************************************
|
|
|
|
Asterix and the Black Gold ((c) 1981)
|
|
By Udzerzo
|
|
English Translation by Anthea Bell and Derek Hockridge
|
|
|
|
"Asterix in the Middle East" Another one that proves that Uderzo isn't
|
|
bad at all on his own. Quite a bit of good James Bond parody.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Page, Panel Comment
|
|
----------------------------------------------------------------------
|
|
Page 3, Panel 6 M.I.6 is a British espionage agency
|
|
Page 4, Panel 6 Papyrus: paper. Their equivalent of microfilm.
|
|
Page 11, Panel 6 Hors de combat: out of action, disabled
|
|
Page 18, Panel 8 Non omnia possumus omnes = we can't all do
|
|
everything (Virgil, Eclogue vii.63 attrib to
|
|
Macrobius Lucilius, Saturnalia vi.1.35)
|
|
Page 19, Panel 3 Magnum opus: someone's greatest work
|
|
Page 22, Panel 8 Bireme=two sets of oars on each side, trireme=three,
|
|
quadrireme=four, quinquireme=five (big as they got)
|
|
Page 27, Panel 1 Shalom: "peace," traditional Jewish greeting or
|
|
farewell
|
|
Page 30, Panel 7 Mazel tov: "good luck" traditional
|
|
Page 32, Panel 8 Akkad was an ancient region in N. Babylonlia,
|
|
2800-1100 BC. Sumer was an ancient region of the
|
|
lower Euphrates, back past 4000 BC
|
|
Page 33, Panel 5 Hittite: Asia Minor and Syria from 1700-700 BC
|
|
Page 33, Panel 10 Assyria: Upper Tigris, peak was about 700 BC
|
|
Page 34, Panel 5 Media: What is now NW Iran
|
|
Page 41, Panel 5 ave atque vale = hail, and farewell evermore
|
|
(Catullus 87-54 BC, Carmina ci)
|
|
|
|
|
|
Name (in order) Meaning:explained meaning. Comments
|
|
----------------------------------------------------------------------
|
|
M. Devius
|
|
Surreptitius Devious: clever; surreptitious: sneaky,
|
|
unnoticeable. M is the guy in charge of James
|
|
Bond's agency, and he looks like him.
|
|
Dubbelosix 006: James Bond is 007. He looks like Sean Connery
|
|
Ekonomikrisis Economy crisis. From Asterix the Gladiator.
|
|
Samson Alius
|
|
(Rosenblumenthal-
|
|
ovitch) Samson: as in Samson and Delilah; alias: because his
|
|
real name is about as stereotypical Jewish as you
|
|
get... the "ovitch" even suggests Russian Jew.
|
|
Joshua ben Zedrin ???
|
|
Isaiah Isaiah: a prophet
|
|
Saul Ben Ephishul ??? He looks like ???
|
|
Pontius Pirate Pontious Pilate. Who's he look like???
|
|
Classis Tyrannicus Classic tyranical: typical tyrant
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
************************************************************************
|
|
|
|
Asterix and Son ((c) 1983)
|
|
By Udzerzo
|
|
English Translation by Anthea Bell and Derek Hockridge
|
|
|
|
This one is pretty dang good, if I do say so myself.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Page, Panel Comment
|
|
----------------------------------------------------------------------
|
|
Page 1, Panel 2 Adenoids: growths of tissue in the upper throat
|
|
behind the nose.
|
|
Page 11, Panel 9 Quod erat demonstrandum = which was the thing to be
|
|
proved (Euclid). Used in proofs as QED.
|
|
Page 42, Panel 2 Ad nauseam = to the point of disgust
|
|
Page 43, Panel 1 Asterix and Cleopatra
|
|
|
|
|
|
Name (in order) Meaning:explained meaning. Comments
|
|
----------------------------------------------------------------------
|
|
Bucolix Bucolic: rustic, countrified. He talks like
|
|
sterotypical English country bumpkin.
|
|
Crismus Cactus Christmas cactus
|
|
Brutus Historical: Marcus Junius Brutus, adopted son of
|
|
Julius Caesar and one of the conspirators who
|
|
murdered him
|
|
Odiferus Odiferous: something that smells. Who's he look
|
|
like ???
|
|
Aromatix Aromatic: something that smells.
|
|
Fotogenix Photogenic: looks good on camera
|
|
Aspidistra A houseplant with broad tapering leaves
|
|
Cleopatra Historical: 69-30 BC, queen of Egypt and mistress of
|
|
Julius Caesar and Mark Antony. There were many
|
|
"Cleopatra"s but this is the famous one.
|
|
Caesarion Historical: Ptolemy XVI ruled till 30 BC, last of
|
|
his dynasty
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
************************************************************************
|
|
|
|
Asterix Versus Caesar ((c) 1985)
|
|
Script by Pierre Tchernia
|
|
English Translation by Anthea Bell and Derek Hockridge
|
|
|
|
This is another book based on a film. The film script, by Pierre
|
|
Tchernia, is adapted from the books Asterix the Gladiator (ATG) and
|
|
Asterix the Legionary (ATL). They certainly did a better job on this one
|
|
that Studio Idefix did on "The Twelve Tasks..." This one follows the
|
|
format of the other with lots of text, but the pictures are actual shots
|
|
from the movie. Bell and Hockridge did the translation on this one.
|
|
All noncanonical again, and not much to do
|
|
|
|
I'm calling Page 1 "It was a lovely day..."
|
|
|
|
|
|
Page Comment
|
|
----------------------------------------------------------------------
|
|
Page 16 Veni, vidi, non vici: I came, I saw, I didn't
|
|
conquer
|
|
Page 34 EEC: European Economic Community
|
|
|
|
Name (in order) Meaning:explained meaning. Comments
|
|
----------------------------------------------------------------------
|
|
Cauis Flabius Obtus Flabby: fat; obtuse: dull. Cauius Fatuous from ATG.
|
|
Incautius Incautious
|
|
Panacea Same as ATL
|
|
Tragicomix Same as ATL
|
|
Dramatix Dramatic
|
|
Terminus An end
|
|
Dubius Status Same as in ATL
|
|
Paytoomuchtax Pay too much tax. Selectivemploymentax from ATL
|
|
Pecadillo el
|
|
Bonafidez Peccadillo: a minor sin; bona fides: proof of good
|
|
faith or just identification
|
|
Garulus Rumpus Garrulous: talks too much; rumpus: noisy disturbance
|
|
Suspicius Suspicious. Ekonomikrisis from ATG.
|
|
|
|
|
|
************************************************************************
|
|
|
|
Asterix and the Magic Carpet ((c) 1987)
|
|
By Udzerzo
|
|
English Translation by Anthea Bell and Derek Hockridge
|
|
|
|
|
|
Asterix in India. This one just seems... different for some reason.
|
|
There's far more words and footnoted references than ever before, and
|
|
there are fewer panels per page. This one seems like it was trying to
|
|
be an adventure without trying to be very funny.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Page, Panel Comment
|
|
----------------------------------------------------------------------
|
|
Page 12, Panel 8 Sic transit gloria mundi = Thus passes the glory of
|
|
the world (said at the coronation of a pope)
|
|
Page 30, Panel 5 Contraria contrariis curantur = The opposites are
|
|
cured by their opposites. Quot capita, tot sensus =
|
|
So many heads, so many opinions.
|
|
Page 39, Panel 5 This is a reference to the evil vizier Iznogoud in
|
|
Goscinny and Tabary's "Caliph" series, who wants "To
|
|
be caliph instead of the caliph".
|
|
|
|
Name (in order) Meaning:explained meaning. Comments
|
|
----------------------------------------------------------------------
|
|
Watziznehm What's his name?
|
|
Watzit What's it?
|
|
Orinjade Orangeade
|
|
Hoodunnit Who done it? Watch the smiley face on his robe,
|
|
it's hilarious.
|
|
Incautius Incautious
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Onthepremises On the premises
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Metoffis Metaphysic: having to do with the supernatural
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Lehmonade Lemonade
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Howdoo How do?
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Owzat How's that?
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Iznogoud Is no good.
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************************************************************************
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Operation Getafix
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The Book of the Movie
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I am currently missing this.
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************************************************************************
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How Obelix Fell Into the Magic Potion
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When He Was a Little Boy
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I am currently missing this.
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************************************************************************
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Asterix and the Secret Weapon ((c) 1991)
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By Udzerzo
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English Translation by Anthea Bell and Derek Hockridge
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Asterix and femininism. This one is the first that's pretty decently
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annotated already.
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Page, Panel Comment
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----------------------------------------------------------------------
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Page 0 (The Goscinny/Uderzo drawing) Actually, Uderzo is
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tall and thin, Goscinny was shorter and portly.
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Page 3, Panel 4 Often attributed as Nero's last words, but he had
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quite a few after these.
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|
Page 4, Panel 6 Is this rhyme from anything ???
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Page 5, Panel 7 Misogynist: doesn't like women. Xenophobic: doesn't
|
|
like foreigners.
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Page 8, Panel 2 Adenoids: growths of tissue in the upper throat
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|
behind the nose.
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|
Page 8, Panel 7 Cardia and Mytili: cities. Mitili(ni) was the
|
|
capital of Lesbos, which may or may not be a
|
|
commentary by the translators...
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|
Page 10, Panel 7 Gloria victis: Glory to the vanquished.
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|
Page 11, Panel 6 What's in a name? That which we call a rose / By
|
|
any other name would smell as sweet (Shakespeare,
|
|
Romeo and Juliet II.ii.43)
|
|
Page 15, Panel 8 Desinit in piscem mulier formosa superne: So that
|
|
which is a beautiful woman on top ends in a black
|
|
and ugly fish (Horace, Ars Poetica 3).
|
|
Page 17, Panel 1 Coup d'etat: overthrow of government
|
|
Page 22, Panel 3 Quod erat demonstrandum = which was the thing to be
|
|
proved (Euclid). Used in proofs as QED.
|
|
Page 30, Panel 3 The guy on the right is definitely someone ???
|
|
Page 33, Panel 9 Anacreontic: Poem written in the manner ofAnacreon
|
|
(died 478 BC), convival in tone.
|
|
Page 41, Panel 5 Patrician: A member of the roman nobility
|
|
Page 43, Panel 2 Onomatopoeic: a word that sounds like thesound it
|
|
names (boom, cuckoo, bang).
|
|
Page 44, Panel 5 Impresario: manager of a theater company
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|
Name (in order) Meaning:explained meaning. Comments
|
|
----------------------------------------------------------------------
|
|
Bravura A type of music requiring exceptional ability
|
|
Mollia Malonus Molly Malloy, from the song
|
|
Manlius
|
|
Claphamomnibus Clapham: a district in SW London. Omnibus:double
|
|
decker bus. "the man on the Clapham omnibus"is
|
|
familiar British phrase for "the averageman."
|
|
Diorix Christian Dior, a famous clothes designer
|
|
Cosmetix Cosmetics. Check out his outfit!
|
|
Ziegfeldfollix The Ziegfeld follies. Florence Ziegfeld from
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|
1869-1932.
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--
|
|
Yesterday upon the stair, I met a man who wasn't there.
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|
He wasn't there again today - I think he's from the CIA.
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