rare as hen’s teeth
November 8, 2007
Henrietta prided herself on being one of the rare hens with teeth
I’m still on this animal idiom kick. I imagine it’s because ideas for daily sketches can be a bit elusive at times and this theme is pretty rich with visuals. Why, I haven’t even exhausted the chicken expressions yet.
Let’s see, there was the “chicken who crossed the road”, supposedly to get to the other side. I think it’s “a cock-and -bull story.” If she hadn’t “counted her chickens before they hatched”, she may not have “chickened out”. Now, she’ll have to wait “till the “chickens come home to roost.”
Sorry, had to get that get that off my chest.
Speaking of crossing the road, and getting things off your chest, I saw something perplexing as I took my daily stroll to Starbucks, today at lunch. I saw a fellow pedestrian, a young man in his early twenties, dart out in front of a car, cause the driver to slam on his breaks, barely escape becoming a grease spot, and then, just carry on, calmly, without missing a beat.
Now, I realize California state law claims pedestrians have the right of way, but it’s only if you are NOT jaywalking, ie: breaking the law. So I had to wonder, is this guy just completely oblivious, or does he have what is known (well, at least to me) as “Pedestrian Bubblitis?”
The onset of “Bubblitis” or “Bi-pedal Idiocity”, usually begins around puberty and can last up to 70 years. The symptoms consist of, a sense of dwelling within a protective bubble, an overblown sense of entitlement, and acute common sense deficiency accompanied by runny nose and fever.
Apparently, there is no cure for this affliction, but I wonder if adopting the rules of the sea (yielding right of way to the larger vessel) might be in order. I mean a large SUV, (say a Suburban or Escalade,) could knock you right out of your protective bubble and onto your ass in 2 seconds flat! So why, as a soft, smooshy, pedestrian, wouldn’t you yield to it?
Just a thought.
These are questions that haunt me, and what any of this has to do with chickens, I’m not really sure.
sketched out 
November 8, 2007 at 7:40 am
The connection is obvious; he was “playing chicken” with the oncoming car. And he won….this time.
Keep up the great (and fun) work.
November 8, 2007 at 8:00 am
But of course! Why did I not see that connection? Thanks!
November 8, 2007 at 10:48 am
THAT’S A RIOT AND SO RIGHT ON. MY GIGGLE FOR THE DAY.
November 8, 2007 at 1:32 pm
As you and I have discussed, this is one of the many pet peeves I have about Southern California in particular. Even if they have the law on their side, is it not ludicrous to challenge the mere physics of the the situation? 180lb man crosses 2ton vehicle with forward inertia on its side. HULLO!
Very cute pic. I envy your talent: in a good way. 🙂
November 8, 2007 at 2:03 pm
California law is ludicrous. Don’t try that in Detroit where I’m from. If the Escalade doesn’t turn you into road pizza and you manage to skirt to the curb unscathed, you’ll likely then be taken down with a Glock.
As for chickens I offer this:
First from the Urban dictionary;
1. teeth chicken
Any particle of food that you happen to pick out of your teeth many hours after the meal’s over. Named so because the particle is usually white and has a chicken meat-like texture.
Dude, you have some teeth chicken between your front teeth.
And from NPR;
2.Study of Chicken Teeth Sheds Light on Evolution
by Joe Palca
All Things Considered, February 23, 2006 · A new study shows that chickens, which don’t have teeth, still have the genes that make them, and in special cases, those genes can be switched back on. Scientists now think that as animals evolve, they lose the ability to turn those genes on at the right time during development — not the genes themselves.
Nice slippers by the way.
November 8, 2007 at 2:12 pm
Heee heee, these comments are better than the post that inspired them. Right on!
November 18, 2007 at 9:53 pm
OK, I wasn’t going to comment on anything (cuz I’m shy), but the chicken feet in the slippers is hilarious! . . . And the chicken teeth, too.
April 14, 2008 at 11:32 pm
[…] butt back on the stage. If you would like to see the older post and the black and white image, take a look […]
March 5, 2009 at 5:06 pm
nice nice