Jokes you didn't get (part ?)

[ZFR]

I can't find the last old thread in the past several pages, so might as well start a new one...

Comic 734, third panel. What does "I know that. I'm just saying she got around." mean? So he knew it was Harpies and not herpes?

[Myrdhale]

Yeah, lol, He knew he meant Herpes, not Harpies. The other lawyer thought he mentioned her because he misunderstood the word, when in fact he was thinking of the Harpy because she had Herpes. :smalltongue:

it's a cheap joke, lol. I wouldn't dwell on it too long

[onthetown]

I can't find the last old thread in the past several pages, so might as well start a new one...

Comic 734, third panel. What does "I know that. I'm just saying she got around." mean? So he knew it was Harpies and not herpes?

He knew it was a harpy. He was implying that the harpy was... promiscuous, and likely had herpes.

[ZFR]

Right, got it now. Thanks for explaining.

[ZFR]

http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0735.html

And what does altering it any further mean?

[RootBreaker]

It's a star wars: the empire strikes back reference.

Lando says something along the lines of "this wasn't part of the deal."

Vader responds. "I am altering the deal. Pray that I do not alter it any further."

[Obrysii]

It's a star wars: the empire strikes back reference.

It was, actually, quite an amusing reference to us Star Wars nerds. :smallbiggrin:

[Ted The Bug]

It was, actually, quite an amusing reference to us Star Wars nerds. :smallbiggrin:

And disappointing to those of us who are not exactly great fans of the series and thought that the references were behind us. :smalltongue:

[Cizak]

What's Elan doing in panel 3 of #692 (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0692.html)?

[Dr.Epic]

What's Elan doing in panel 3 of #692 (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0692.html)?

He's framing the scene. Artist and directors do that to decide what goes in the frame.

[BisectedBrioche]

What's Elan doing in panel 3 of #692 (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0692.html)?

He's making a box shape with his fingers. It's something an artist or architect would stereotypically do while scanning the horizon (since it would give him an idea what he could fit on his canvas/page).

The joke being he's doing the wrong kind of "surveying".

[Qwertystop]

What's the joke in the last 2 panels of 697 (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0697.html)?
If it's not a joke, than what is it saying?

[KenderWizard]

They're breaking the 4th wall a lot. Elan wants to do another montage of them searching, Roy doesn't want to bother, he hopes they can skip forward in time and find the gate without any more effort, like that joke before (I don't remember where) of "Does anyone have anything they want to get done before nightfall?" and when no one does, time just skips to the next plot-relevant scene. The joke with this is obviously in real life people have to do the stuff between now and then, but in the comic, apparently they can just jump ahead and not bother with the boring stuff.

So time skips forward to a random point, presumably to about when Roy hoped to find the gate by, and there's no gate. Since that didn't work, Roy is now willing to consider another montage!

Edit: Here's (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0155.html) the joke I was thinking of!

[JoseB]

What's the joke in the last 2 panels of 697 (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0697.html)?
If it's not a joke, than what is it saying?

It's a subtle joke.

The whole comic 692 (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0692.html) was a "searching montage". At the end of 697, they are faced with the prospect of having to search the whole desert (after the "Girard trap" fiasco).

That is why, in 697 (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0697.html), Elan asks whether they will have to do another "searching montage", but this time for the WHOLE desert...

Roy, showing genre savviness, hopes that they will be able to just "cut directly to [them] finding the (gate)" (reference to what Haley does at the end of this comic (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0155.html)). But then the cut takes place (it shows that time definitely has passed), Roy sees that they have found nothing, and begins to wonder whether Elan's idea about making a searching montage wouldn't be useful after all...

To sum up: Lots of 4th-wall breaking, and genre-savviness on the part of Elan and Roy.

EDIT: Argh, totally ninjaed!

[Cizak]

I didn't even know I missed a joke but apprently I did, because in the disscusion thread of the last thread many people said "Haha, some paladin fought dragons and died roflmao". I can't see this anywhere? Where did people find that?

[Kish]

Last panel. Read the Macebook lines above the pop-up for Malack adding Durkon.

[Cizak]

Oh. For some reason that was way too small to read when I first read the comic, but now I can read it perfectly :smallconfused: Oh well, thanks.

[ZFR]

http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0754.html

Third line third panel. Why does Durkon say he's bald?

[Cizak]

...because he's bald? Bald means having no hair.

[SoC175]

A Is Always A (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0205.html)]

I know it's very old, but I never understood this strip. So if a devil would show up and demand them following him to the nine hells Haley would follow because it would be a free trip?

[Jagos]

http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0754.html

Third line third panel. Why does Durkon say he's bald?

Because Haley just got hair back. Thor (since they're both practicing under the same religion right now) "blessed" her with a full head of hair.

[ZFR]

...because he's bald? Bald means having no hair.

Come on. I can obviously see that. He has been bald for the past several hundred strips, but never saw it important to mention the plain fact.

I mean why did he say it now? How is that piece of information an argument supporting the fact that Haley's hair grew because of Thor and not because of a magical potion?

[Morph Bark]

Come on. I can obviously see that. He has been bald for the, but never saw it important to mention the plain fact.

I mean why did he say it now? How is that piece of information an argument supporting the fact that Haley's hair grew because of Thor and not because of a magical potion?

Because maybe a full head of hair is something he desires as well?

EDIT: Furthermore, Durkon is 55. He's been bald since he was 15, so before he even became an adult.

[Gift Jeraff]

I took it as:

"Your hair grew back, it's a miracle!"
"Nah, it was just this magic potion."
"Trust me. Consider it a blessing."

And since Haley is now a follower of Thor, Durkon considers it a blessing from Thor.

[ZFR]

I took it as:

"Your hair grew back, it's a miracle!"
"Nah, it was just this magic potion."
"Trust me. Consider it a blessing."

And since Haley is now a follower of Thor, Durkon considers it a blessing from Thor.

Precisely how I took it. So why mention that he's bald? Does that support his view in any way?

[HalfTangible]

Precisely how I took it. So why mention that he's bald? Does that support his view in any way?

Yes. He's saying "I've been bald for 40 years. It's a blessing to have hair."


A Is Always A (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0205.html)]

I know it's very old, but I never understood this strip. So if a devil would show up and demand them following him to the nine hells Haley would follow because it would be a free trip?
No, because Haley would want to spend as little gold as she can, and she needs to get to a city, as stated earlier in the strip. The joke is, "she's greedy"

[Kaytara]

A Is Always A (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0205.html)]

I know it's very old, but I never understood this strip. So if a devil would show up and demand them following him to the nine hells Haley would follow because it would be a free trip?

Only if Rich had a way to use it for a joke. ;)

[Cerlis]

He's making a box shape with his fingers. It's something an artist or architect would stereotypically do while scanning the horizon (since it would give him an idea what he could fit on his canvas/page).

The joke being he's doing the wrong kind of "surveying".

well it could still be the wrong type of surverying, dont know the difference between artist and photography scene analization....

but Elan is doing just what he was told....Looking for the most dramatic spot for a Dungeon :)

ie "Oooh, those two hills over there...if we look at it from this angle then when we walk over the hill the sun will blind us and then reveal a big expanse of....more hills.... hmm"

[ZFR]

Yes. He's saying "I've been bald for 40 years. It's a blessing to have hair."




Ok, thanks. I think I see it now.

[talonspiritcat]

Ok, thanks. I think I see it now.

I took the joker to mean that he's tried a potion before and it didn't work for him.

[C-Lam]

I took the joker to mean that he's tried a potion before and it didn't work for him.

Me too, the way he says it implies that he have tried potion before, with no success. That is why he has been bold for so long. If there was a potion, he would probably have tried it, and would not have been bold.

[Kish]

Me too, the way he says it implies that he have tried potion before, with no success. That is why he has been bold for so long. If there was a potion, he would probably have tried it, and would not have been bold.
I don't think Durkon wants a cure for boldness...

[Cizak]

I don't think Durkon wants a cure for boldness...

Of course not, just look how happy he is in the latest comic when he says he's been bald for 40 years.

[Leinad]

Precisely how I took it. So why mention that he's bald? Does that support his view in any way?

No, he believes that it was through (Thor's) divine provision that she was even able to find a potion like that in the first place. Yes, she got her hair back from the potion, but it was no coincidence.

[Kish]

Of course not, just look how happy he is in the latest comic when he says he's been bald for 40 years.
Bald? :smallconfused: We were discussing a cure for boldness.

[Morph Bark]

Bald? :smallconfused: We were discussing a cure for boldness.

There is no cure. There is no cure!

[Cerlis]

Durkon is a healer, if it where possible for him to get his hair back through magic he probably would have gotten it back. Poor durkon has an antimagic field in his scalp.

[Doomboy911]

http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0749.html Yeah last panel I don't get it.

[Umbra]

http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0749.html Yeah last panel I don't get it.

It's a rhetorical question.

[John Cribati]

It's a rhetorical question.

Specifically, a rhetorical question that V took literally. It's a "Vaarsuvius is socially awkward" joke.

[Felhammer]

http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0749.html Yeah last panel I don't get it.

The answer Haley was looking for was "heck yeah!", not a specific number of slaves. This joke is that V answered the question too literally, which is humorous because it shows how intelligent yet socially awkward V really is.

[NegativeFifteen]

Roy's "Stupid Railroad Plot" Comment after the second Miko fight, never got that.

[Kish]

He is saying that the Order was defeated by Miko because the railroad plot calls for them to go to Azure City next.

[NegativeFifteen]

Oh, okay. That makes a ton more sense than my other theory.

[Amarsir]

Just in case anyone else didn't know:

The phrase "railroad plot" or saying a plot is "on rails" means the course is pre-set. You can't detour, you can't change directions. There's no steering because you're on rails.

It's often said about GMs running D&D or other roleplaying sessions when they refuse to alter the story even though the players chose something unexpected.

[Nimrod's Son]

In Origins, why does the Iron Mage host take a bite out of the scroll he's holding? That never made sense to me.

And for that matter, what's the deal with the bubble things floating around Reegon Mithrilspear, making him look like he's trapped in a lava lamp?

[The MunchKING]

In Origins, why does the Iron Mage host take a bite out of the scroll he's holding? That never made sense to me.\

It's what the guy in Iron Chef does.

[Cerlis]

It's what the guy in Iron Chef does.

Takes a dramatic bite out of a green pepper to be more accurate....:smallbiggrin:

[Nimrod's Son]

It's what the guy in Iron Chef does.
Wow. I had literally never heard of that before. I thought it was just a generic game-show sort of setup; I never realised that scene was a parody of a specific TV show. :smallredface:

[ZFR]

What's with the snorkels in the first panel here:

http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0756.html

[The Pilgrim]

What's with the snorkels in the first panel here:

http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0756.html

Read the last panel of the previous comic.

[ZFR]

Aha. Thanks.

[Trace284]

Never got the last two panels here, http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0703.html

[ShiningStarling]

the hobo cleric is saying his mother named him a "movie credit name" so therefore implying his name isnt important enough to be plot relevant, so he never gets important positions :frown:

[Trace284]

the hobo cleric is saying his mother named him a "movie credit name" so therefore implying his name isnt important enough to be plot relevant, so he never gets important positions :frown:

Ah, I get it now haha, I think I just got so used to seeing the fourth wall get broken, I didn't think about the names. :smalltongue:

[Cerlis]

yep, whos going to promote you if your name literally is "Hobgoblin Cleric numberX"

Poor guy

[JoeSkull]

yep, whos going to promote you if your name literally is "Hobgoblin Cleric numberX"

Poor guy

atleast he didnt get a red shirt :P

[David Demola]

What is the former, scarier monster? The reference is completely lost on me...

http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0746.html

[Swordpriest]

What is the former, scarier monster? The reference is completely lost on me...

http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0746.html

Although I've never seen the original, I believe it's Oliver J. Dragon from the TV show "Kukla, Fran, and Ollie."

Kukla, Fran, and Ollie (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kukla,_Fran_and_Ollie)

[martianmister]

Not really a joke, but:

http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0420.html

In second panel: "Why didn't you tell him about the three prisoners that weren't on the jail records?".

[The_JJ]

Not really a joke, but:

http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0420.html

In second panel: "Why didn't you tell him about the three prisoners that weren't on the jail records?".

Nale, Thog, and Sabine.

[suszterpatt]

Not really a joke, but:

http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0420.html

In second panel: "Why didn't you tell him about the three prisoners that weren't on the jail records?".Those would be the Linear Guild.

[doodthedud]

Me too, the way he says it implies that he have tried potion before, with no success. That is why he has been bold for so long. If there was a potion, he would probably have tried it, and would not have been bold.

I thought he was just outraged that he never thought of a magic potion before in all his 40 years of baldness. That he was refusing there was such an easy solution to something he suffered through for 40 years.

[TigerHunter]

I thought he was just outraged that he never thought of a magic potion before in all his 40 years of baldness. That he was refusing there was such an easy solution to something he suffered through for 40 years.
That would prompt surprise rather than grumpiness.

[doodthedud]

That would prompt surprise rather than grumpiness.

Why? If I had suffered through something for forty years then learned there had been an easy solution all along and someone afflicted with the same thing got it fixed in a few weeks, I'd be bitter as hell and angry at 'em for getting it so easy as well as annoyed at myself for not thinking of it.

"The pain, my misshapen leg has ailed me all these eight years and ruined my career!"

"You know that can be fixed in 2 seconds by a local cleric?"

"........%@#$!!!!"

[Tom Tearcamel]

I'm pretty sure that growing out Haley's hair is more along the lines of magical healing. Growing out Durkon's hair after so long would be tantamount to a True Resurrection of his long since past hair follicles.

[Ikialev]

I guess that "Tyrinaria" is supposed to ring a bell but it really doesn't, I need some help

[Maximum Zersk]

I guess that "Tyrinaria" is supposed to ring a bell but it really doesn't, I need some help

That's the empire that took Haley's dad prisoner.

[hamishspence]

and this comic is where the name Tyrinaria first crops up:

http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0131.html

[ZFR]

http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0758.html

What does the title "Spins of the father" mean, and what's with the names in the last panel?

[Kish]

Elan's father is a spin doctor.

The white-haired gladiator is named Ian, as in "Haley Starshine, daughter of Ian and Mia," and he used to have red hair. Also, Tyrinaria, where Ian Starshine was held prisoner, was one of the puppet kingdoms Tarquin and the Goons went through.

[Scarlet Knight]

http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0758.html

What does the title "Spins of the father" mean, and what's with the names in the last panel?

"Sins of the father" is a biblical phrase. "Spin" is a political phrase meaning the person gives information in the way he wants you to hear it.

[Conuly]

Sins of the father is a Biblical phrase, as stated, the full quote has to do with how those sins will be "visited unto the son", that is, that your kids (and grandkids, and so on) will pay for your misdeeds.

It's also, among other things (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sins_of_the_Father), the title of an episode of Star Trek: TNG. That's probably not relevant, though.

[Eldan]

Okay, so, I think I got most of the puns today. However:

"I take issue with your tone".

Is there a pun in there? I don't see it.

[Katana_Geldar]

"Issue" is another word for a child bring born. Or more correctly, to refer to the fact that a child was born.

For example, Charles II died without issue and was succeeded by his brother James II.

[Ron Miel]

Also in the latest strip, "Are you enjoying the parade?" and "Then you'll have to thank the Grand Martial"


Is there any pun or double meaning in either of those lines?

[suszterpatt]

I think the first is just a setup to Elan's "I'm on the fence". The second is a pun on "grand marshal", the person ostensibly in charge of organizing the parade.

[Ron Miel]

What's the pun, though? I know that a Grand Marshall is a parade dignitary, but does it have an alternative meaning? And is the misspelling an error, or part of the joke?

[Lvl45DM!]

Martial mean related to warfare. They are fighting. You do the math
there wwas like 17 puns in that strip they cant ALL be good

[Gwynfrid]

"Parade" is French for "parry". Many fencing terms are French (see also "riposte", "épée").

One pun I'm not getting is "riposte-haste". I know what a riposte is (a counter-attack immediately following a parry), but I don't get what "haste" is doing in that turn of phrase.

For me, the most amazing pun in this strip is "my seed has adequate Mobility". Just hilarious, and a great fit with the situation.

[WalkingTarget]

"Parade" is French for "parry".

I didn't know this one, thanks!


One pun I'm not getting is "riposte-haste". I know what a riposte is (a counter-attack immediately following a parry), but I don't get what "haste" is doing in that turn of phrase..

"post-haste" means "as quickly as possible".

[Gwynfrid]

"post-haste" means "as quickly as possible".

Got it now, thanks. Again, this forum proves to be a huge resource for non-native English speakers.

[isocum]

can someone explain me the jokes on "an off-spring attack" and "since my seed clearly had adequate mobility"?

[WalkingTarget]

can someone explain me the jokes on "an off-spring attack" and "since my seed clearly had adequate mobility"?

"Offspring" meaning one's child/children.
"Spring-attack" being a D&D feat.

"Seed" as in his genetic material (i.e. Sperm mobility/motility).
"Mobility" is a prerequisite feat one has to have before getting Spring-attack.

[NerfTW]

"off spring" = "offspring", as in your children.

His seed having adequate mobility is a reference to how sperm reach the egg, by swimming.

[isocum]

"Offspring" meaning one's child/children.
"Spring-attack" being a D&D feat.

"Seed" as in his genetic material (i.e. Sperm mobility/motility).
"Mobility" is a prerequisite feat one has to have before getting Spring-attack.

thanks, i don't know how i managed to miss the offspring, but the feats are new to me.

[Dr.Epic]

Someone just want to go through all the dialogue between Elan and Tarquin in strip 761 and explain the puns? I'd be grateful and have a feeling a lot of people are going to be asking about them.

[WalkingTarget]

Someone just want to go through all the dialogue between Elan and Tarquin in strip 761 and explain the puns? I'd be grateful and have a feeling a lot of people are going to be asking about them.

Puns start in panels 5 and 6, which I just explained.

7: "clear the air" - talking about things, clearing up interpersonal issues
"heir" - one's successor, typically one's children or next-of-kin

"thrust" - in conversation: the main point of an argument. In swordplay: a strong stabbing motion.

"Apparently"/parent

Clear-cut - plain, unornamented, also another reference to swordfighting (cut).

8: "parade" is the thing they'd been watching with all the people, also it seems a fencing term for "parry"

"on the fence" - meaning he's undecided, also he's standing on the railing that resembles a fence, also reference to "fencing" as a style of swordfighting.

"a rousing success" - something that's exceeded expectations
"successor" - similar to heir

"Grand Marshal" - a ceremonial dignitary, in this case one would be in charge of the parade.
"Martial" - pertaining to the military or warfare in some way.

9: "to create a stir" - to cause trouble
"procreate" - to produce children

"post-haste" - as quickly as possible
"riposte" - fencing term

"science"
"scion" - another reference to one's children

"smashing" - obvious reference to fighting, idiomatically also means impressive, it's something he's good at.

10: "epee" - fencing sword
"pay for your crimes"

"to take issue" - to object
"issue" - another reference to children

"foil" - fencing sword, also to thwart

"what he's gotten himself into"
"to beget" - to bring about a child (generally used in terms of the father)

12 - "unrelated" not having anything in common, also another reference to familial relationships (or the lack thereof).

[suszterpatt]

It never even occured to me until now that "unrelated" in the last panel was also a pun.

I just assumed Tarquin got off a really good Bluff check or something.

[Dr.Epic]

Puns start in panels 5 and 6, which I just explained.

Cool. Thanks.

[Gwynfrid]

In addition, "stir" in 9 may also be a mocking reference to Elan's sword movements: All he does is stirring the air, without ever hitting Tarquin.

[Lvl45DM!]

Stirring is a circular motion Elan is thrusting primarily

[Kbcamaster]

Also, "I'm on the fence" sounds the same as "I'm on defence".

[Shpadoinkle]

Also, "I'm on the fence" sounds the same as "I'm on defence".

That's a stretch. Fencing is another word for swordfighting, which I'm pretty sure was the intended pun.

[Firemeier]

That's a stretch. Fencing is another word for swordfighting, which I'm pretty sure was the intended pun.

Even that is stretching it a bit, imho. I thought the joke simply was that when you say "I'm on the fence", usually you're not literally standing on a fence.

[Niknokitueu]

Even that is stretching it a bit, imho. I thought the joke simply was that when you say "I'm on the fence", usually you're not literally standing on a fence.
I feel that in this case it was all intentional.

Elan was standing on a fence, hence it has a literal thrust.
He was also replying to the question of whether he was enjoying the parade, hence it conveys that he was 'undecided'.
He was also in the process of fencing with Tarquin, hence also literally 'on the fence'.

Best guess is that rich only meant the first two meanings, that of him literally standing on a fence whilst declaring he was undecided as to whether he was enjoying the parade.

The only view that was probably not intended was 'I'm on defence'. Rich would have used those words if that had been his intent.

Have Fun!
Niknokitueu
[edit] ps. Does this battle mean that Tarquin has some unresolved issues...? :smallamused:
[edit edit] Sorry for the bad joke. The strip does it way better.

[Gnoman]

There is a more unusual and obscure meaning of that phrase, actually. "On the fence" can mean literally "on the fence" in the sense of being so enthralled with an event that you are pressing against the fence to get a better view.

[Lvl45DM!]

Yeah but Elan is in no way enthralled by whats happening hes pissed off.

[NerfTW]

There is a more unusual and obscure meaning of that phrase, actually. "On the fence" can mean literally "on the fence" in the sense of being so enthralled with an event that you are pressing against the fence to get a better view.

I have never heard that phrase used that way before.

[Katana_Geldar]

Neither have I.

[Lvl45DM!]

There is a more unusual and obscure meaning of that phrase, actually. "On the fence" can mean literally "on the fence" in the sense of being so enthralled with an event that you are pressing against the fence to get a better view.
Emphasis mine
That might be why you havent heard it like that before

[Conuly]

Naturally, but if it's so obscure and unusual it's probably better not to use it at all, isn't it?

[Gnoman]

It's rather old. I mainly know about it because some of my older relatives (WWII vets) used it in that sense. I think that meaning was intended because if you replace "on the fence" with "I dunno," Tarquin's reply doesn't work. "That's too bad. I'll have to fire the Grand Martial" would be a better response to the more traditional meaning.

[Lvl45DM!]

Even if it wasn't Rich's intention it can still be cool to add another layer to the pun esp. since we cant prove it WASNT Rich's intention

[Firemeier]

Even if it wasn't Rich's intention it can still be cool to add another layer to the pun esp. since we cant prove it WASNT Rich's intention

Sure, if it was all intentional, kudos to Rich. And if not, it's just cool that the pun works on several levels.

[squiremarcus]

Even though it's more recent, I didn't catch on until now that the slaves Tarquin is burning are likely the same ones that Haley had been freeing.

[DZ-Battra]

In this comic (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0428.html), Belkar says that "It's Pat" is fireballing the hobgoblins. Is "Pat" supposed to refer to V, and if so, how is that sort of relation made?

[Ron Miel]

It's Pat (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/It%27s_Pat) explained.

[Khosan]

In this comic (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0428.html), Belkar says that "It's Pat" is fireballing the hobgoblins. Is "Pat" supposed to refer to V, and if so, how is that sort of relation made?

"It's Pat" is an old SNL skit about an ambiguously gendered individual.

[Hironomus]

In 762 people seemed to be very amused by the 'it was bracing' comment tarquin makes. I don't get it. Is this a joke? I thought it was fairly typical of what a villain would say during a duel ala "i haven't had this much fun in a long time".
am I missing something here? or are people just gushing over Tarquin and his rugged, charming evilness?

[Nimrod's Son]

It's rather old. I mainly know about it because some of my older relatives (WWII vets) used it in that sense. I think that meaning was intended because if you replace "on the fence" with "I dunno," Tarquin's reply doesn't work. "That's too bad. I'll have to fire the Grand Martial" would be a better response to the more traditional meaning.
ELAN is the one who makes the "Grand Martial" quip, not Tarquin. Tarquin asks what Elan thinks of the parade, Elan replies that he's undecided. Tarquin counters that he thinks it's been a success, and Elan tells him who to thank. What part of that doesn't make sense?

"On the fence" doesn't mean "excited" about something. Ever. If anything that's the opposite of what it means. And if someone were literally pressed against a fence, would you describe them as being "on" it? I certainly wouldn't. If you're ON the fence, then you're in between two sides, which is what the phrase means.

[Niknokitueu]

In 762 people seemed to be very amused by the 'it was bracing' comment tarquin makes. I don't get it. Is this a joke? I thought it was fairly typical of what a villain would say during a duel ala "i haven't had this much fun in a long time".
am I missing something here? or are people just gushing over Tarquin and his rugged, charming evilness?
As far as I can tell, there is no extra joke involved. He said 'it was bracing' in much the same way that those nutters that go for a swim on Christmas Day (often having to break the surface layer of Ice to do so) would describe their swim as 'bracing'.

Maybe with a touch of understatement in it as well.


"On the fence" doesn't mean "excited" about something. Ever. If anything that's the opposite of what it means. And if someone were literally pressed against a fence, would you describe them as being "on" it? I certainly wouldn't. If you're ON the fence, then you're in between two sides, which is what the phrase means.
Agreed. That 'new' alternative meaning is probably just the kind of mis-statement made by sports commentators. Like "That's a fine kettle of fish..."

Have Fun!
Niknokitueu

[Hironomus]

As far as I can tell, there is no extra joke involved. He said 'it was bracing' in much the same way that those nutters that go for a swim on Christmas Day (often having to break the surface layer of Ice to do so) would describe their swim as 'bracing'.



I am from the Southern Hemisphere. Swimming is what we do on Christmas day :smalltongue:

[Niknokitueu]

I am from the Southern Hemisphere. Swimming is what we do on Christmas day :smalltongue:
Speaking as someone whose homeland is in the middle of an early freeze this year, I envy you.

It was -4.5 C (24 F in old money) when I left for work today. One part of the UK has been hitting -22 C (-8 F) for the last few nights.

Have Fun!
Niknokitueu
ps. Oooh! Topical.

[KenderWizard]

In 762 people seemed to be very amused by the 'it was bracing' comment tarquin makes. I don't get it. Is this a joke? I thought it was fairly typical of what a villain would say during a duel ala "i haven't had this much fun in a long time".
am I missing something here? or are people just gushing over Tarquin and his rugged, charming evilness?

I thought it was funny because Elan's basically saying "We just tried to KILL each other!" and Tarquin is going "Just a bit of good-natured fun!". He's subverting Elan's expectations.

It's like the icy swim, but more like someone being pushed off a cliff into an icy waterfall, dragging themselves back out after fighting off a bear, and someone running up and going "Oh my God, you almost died!" and them saying "Nah, that's woken me up nicely."

[leakingpen]

Elan was standing on a fence, hence it has a literal thrust.

All pun intended?

[Zmflavius]

I was going through old discussion threads, and was wondering, where's the Raistlin joke in #635 (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0635.html)?

[RebelRogue]

I was going through old discussion threads, and was wondering, where's the Raistlin joke in #635 (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0635.html)?
V is changing his robe from red to black, just like Raistlin. It's referenced in the title (though that is also one of Rich's many Rolling Stones references). It's not so much a joke as it is a reference.

[Zmflavius]

Ohhhh...thanks!

[Lurk-Sothoth]

I don't play any card games that are more complicated than Crazy Eights, so could someone please explain the first two panels of #585 (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0585.html)? How would Qarr have three Kings "showing"?

[Ron Miel]

I don't play any card games that are more complicated than Crazy Eights, so could someone please explain the first two panels of #585? How would Qarr have three Kings "showing"?


In stud poker (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stud_poker)each player is dealt some cards face down, whiuch only he knows what they are, and several cards face up, so everyone can see them.

[squidbreath]

http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0227.html

In this strip, what's up with Miko and the bed tag? Can someone please explain how it relates to the special service Roy & Co are getting?

[Cizak]

I've never gotten that either. Why does she get so mad because someone removed a piece of paper form her matress?

[Gnoman]

Mattresses are sold with a tag on them stating the materials used to make it. Because this information is important, so you don't buy a mattress you're allergic to, it's illegal for anyone except the customer to remove it. It's a common gag (http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/MattressTagGag) for someone to be arrested for removing it. Here it is used as an example of Miko's extreme lawfulness, the same lawfulness that would object to them impersonating royalty for special perks.

[leakingpen]

http://doug-johnson.squarespace.com/storage/tag.jpg?__SQUARESPACE_CACHEVERSION=1227366397828

look here for your answer.

[squidbreath]

ok ty :smallsmile:

[ShiningStarling]

hey, in the aquabard section of Don't Split the Party, what was the "special mission" Elan did?

[JoeSkull]

hey, in the aquabard section of Don't Split the Party, what was the "special mission" Elan did?

the one where he buried Therka??
you should include a link to make it easier.

[Kish]

Kind of hard to link to pages of books...

The special mission was to attract Therkla's attention. It failed. She didn't make contact.

[JoeSkull]

Kind of hard to link to pages of books...

The special mission was to attract Therkla's attention. It failed. She didn't make contact.

ahh, that was why i didnt recognize it.

[Scarlet Knight]

Can someone explain where "tier envy" comes from? I assume it's related to gaps in levels but it's a phrase I am unfamiliar with.
:smallconfused:

[rakkoon]

Tier of might :

1st tier, wizards and clerics, way more powerful than all other classes
2nd tier Sorcerer, etc
3rd
4th bard

and such

[John Cribati]

See here for the tiers (http://brilliantgameologists.com/boards/index.php?topic=1002.0)

tl;dr: Basically, it's a system that determines how useful character classes are, based on what they can do.

[suszterpatt]

Skimming through the discussion thread for #764 (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0764.html) I got the impression that the exchange in panel 4 is a reference to something. What?

[The MunchKING]

That you don't want to here Elan tell Haley everything we JUST HEARD Tarkin tell him.

[Conuly]

Indeed, it was too wordy by half the first time, who wants to hear it a second?

[suszterpatt]

That you don't want to here Elan tell Haley everything we JUST HEARD Tarkin tell him.Just that? Thought it was a real life thing for some reason. Oh well.

[The MunchKING]

Just that? Thought it was a real life thing for some reason. Oh well.

Well the joke is Malak is talking about something that happened to HIM, but Rich is saying "you don't want to hear elan repeat it".

[littlekKID]

In SOD

in page 16 (the Helldeathdoomfire bit) when Yydranna is chosen as the unholy master's second in command she say "YES! in your face, glass ceiling!"

what did she mean?

[zimmerwald1915]

It's harder for women in some societies to climb to higher positions in heirarchical organizations like businesses, the civil service, and apparently, evil cabals, than it is for men. "The Glass Ceiling" is a term for the highest place women can climb in the structure when faced with mens' preferential treatment. Ydrynna, by being chosen as chief minion or whatever over Xykon, broke the glass ceiling.

[Conuly]

And of course it's called the "glass" ceiling because it's not official. You're expected to believe it's just a *coincidence* that the highest positions are all filled by men.

In this case, of course, Ydrynna didn't break the glass ceiling by being over-competent, she broke it because the people in charge were actively prejudiced against sorcerers. Bit of irony there.

[Shale]

Not so much "sorcerers" as "Xykon in particular," and it's not like his criticism of the guy wasn't true. Hell, even he wouldn't hire himself as a general - that's what he's got Redcloak for.

[ExtravagantEvil]

I'm not particularly well versed in super heroes, so this joke was kind of odd in comic 474, in about Panel 8, I know they are referencing a super hero, but I know not which one in particular (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0474.html).

[littlekKID]

I'm not particularly well versed in super heroes, so this joke was kind of odd in comic 474, in about Panel 8, I know they are referencing a super hero, but I know not which one in particular (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0474.html).

The Shadow
"Who knows what evil lurk in the heart of men? The Shadow knows"

[MoonCat]

In #755 (haven't figured out how to link, sorry) several posters have been applauding Rich on the 'Rend' musical. I assume it's a parody, but of what?

[JoeSkull]

In #755 (haven't figured out how to link, sorry) several posters have been applauding Rich on the 'Rend' musical. I assume it's a parody, but of what?

the musical "Rent"

[Kish]

Rent. Also, linking is done like this (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/).

[MoonCat]

Cool, thanks! I'd never heard of it before:smalltongue:

[Zmflavius]

In comic 371 (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0371.html) the MitD says something leads to gluttony, but what's that a reference to?

[cho_j]

In #755 (haven't figured out how to link, sorry)

That one took me a while to learn, too! Basically, there are four steps:
1. Copy the URL that you want to link to.
2. In your post, write the words that you'd like to function as a link (in your case here, probably "#755").
3. Select those words, and hit the little button on your HTML tool bar that looks like a world with a chain link on top of it
4. Paste in the URL you copied, and you're all good!

Hope that helped! :)

[cho_j]

In comic 371 (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0371.html) the MitD says something leads to gluttony, but what's that a reference to?

It's a reference to the Bible. And hilariously enough, I think the MitD is getting HIS sequence of what leads to what just as confused as Red Cloak and Xykon are. I had some trouble finding the particular chapter and verse I wanted, but I believe that gluttony is seen as sort of the "gateway sin," if you will, which leads to greed and some other stuff. So, while RC and Xykon try to remember possibly the hardest to memorize Star Wars quote, the Monster is trying to remember equally obscure Bible verse.

(Psst, if anyone was wondering: "Fear is the path to the dark side. Fear leads to anger. Anger leads to hate. Hate leads to suffering." RC was close...)

[squidbreath]

http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0581.html

In this, what does Old Blind Pete mean by having a 160 proof cellar by keeping moonshine in it?

[WalkingTarget]

http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0581.html

In this, what does Old Blind Pete mean by having a 160 proof cellar by keeping moonshine in it?

"Proof (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alcohol_proof)" in that specific line is a metric for the alcoholic content of a beverage.

160 proof drinks are 80% alcohol by volume.

[Kurald Galain]

In Don't Split The Party, why does Elan say that the mermaid needs to paint her hair?

[Nimrod's Son]

In Don't Split The Party, why does Elan say that the mermaid needs to paint her hair?
You mean dye her hair? Because he's just given her the number of a talent agent, but warned her that he already represents a lot of people with her hair colour, so if she wants to stand out from the crowd she should dye hers red. He didn't say she needed to do it, just that it might be an idea.

Either that or the agent might insist on her doing it before he agrees to take her on, for the same reasons as above.

[Kish]

The implication is that, by taking Elan's advice, she winds up playing Ariel in the Disney movie The Little Mermaid.

[Nimrod's Son]

Yes, that's what it says on that very same page
Well, quite. But it is the answer to the question you asked. If you wanted to know if it was a reference to something, you should have said. :smallwink:

[Kurald Galain]

The implication is that, by taking Elan's advice, she winds up playing Ariel in the Disney movie The Little Mermaid.

Really? I get that Ariel is a redhead, but I don't recall Ursula having helped a lot of brown-haired merfolk, nor that all of her sisters are brown-haired?

[Kish]

She winds up playing Ariel. She doesn't wind up being Ariel. Ursula is not a talent agent and common hair colors in the Little Mermaid universe are immaterial to the OotS universe.

[Ron Miel]

Cool, thanks! I'd never heard of it before:smalltongue:

Have you seen the film Team America World Police?

It has a great parody of the same show.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=In7zf2TtiVs

[Capt Spanner]

It's a reference to the Bible. And hilariously enough, I think the MitD is getting HIS sequence of what leads to what just as confused as Red Cloak and Xykon are. I had some trouble finding the particular chapter and verse I wanted, but I believe that gluttony is seen as sort of the "gateway sin," if you will, which leads to greed and some other stuff. So, while RC and Xykon try to remember possibly the hardest to memorize Star Wars quote, the Monster is trying to remember equally obscure Bible verse.

(Psst, if anyone was wondering: "Fear is the path to the dark side. Fear leads to anger. Anger leads to hate. Hate leads to suffering." RC was close...)

And by Bible, I think you mean Star Wars...

[Shale]

The gluttony thing is the Bible. I don't think they ever even used the word in Star Wars.

[WalkingTarget]

The gluttony thing is the Bible.

Not really. Look more into Dante's Inferno or something along those lines.

I found it as sort of a two-fer joke: getting two lists of "bad things" mixed up.

[Nevereatcars]

Gluttony is one of the seven deadly sins. The other "a leads to b" stuff is Star Wars. Can we move on?

[lordyoshi01]

Comic 765:

I don't get the "three fingered discount" thing since I've never heard of that phrase before.

[WalkingTarget]

Comic 765:

I don't get the "three fingered discount" thing since I've never heard of that phrase before.

Normally a "five finger discount (http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/five-finger_discount)" but these stick figures only have 3 fingers per hand. It means theft in general (or shoplifting specifically).

[KillItWithFire]

Quarters? (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0354.html) Is this a reference to some old arcade game?

[Shale]

Centipede. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Centipede_%28arcade_game%29)

[Ron Miel]

I'm British. The joke about Hate & Barrel (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0575.html)is probably very obvious to Americans, but I have no idea what it means.

[Kish]

There's a company called Crate and Barrel.