Chris Pauls wrote to point out that word aversion, "like pretty much every other subject, has found its way into Monty Python's Flying Circus".
Here's the sketch:
and a transcript is here.
I've certainly seen that sketch, but I guess it never occurred to me that the word-aversion part of it was any more true to life than the part of it about shooting caribou on the lawn or wiring up a fakir as a remote control.
[Update -- Jake Schneider writes:
In terms of your Python post, don't forget the much more famous example of Monty Python's playful approach to word aversion--The Knights of Nee's inability to stomach the word "it." Of course, in that example, the word involved is far to common to be remotely realistic.
How could I have forgotten? Here's the transcript:
Knight of Ni: Then, when you have found the shrubbery, you must cut down the
mightiest tree in the forest...
Wiiiiiithh.... A HERRING!
(minor music)
Arthur: We shall do no such thing!
Knight of Ni: Oh, please!
Arthur: Cut down a tree with a herring? It can't be done!
Knights of Ni: AAugh! AAAAAH! Oww!! (writhe in pain)
Knight of Ni: Don't say that word!
Arthur: What word?
Knight of Ni: I cannot tell; suffice to say, it is one of the words the
Knights of Ni cannot hear!
Arthur: How we *not* say the word if you don't tell us what it is?!
(Knights of Ni are in pain again)
Knight of Ni: Ahhhh! 'E said it again!
Arthur: What, "is"?
Knight of Ni: No, not "is"! You wouldn't get very far in life not saying
"is"!
Bedevere: My liege! It's Sir Robin!
Sir Robin and his minstrels "ride" up.
Minstrels (singing): He's sacking it in, and packing it up,
and sneaking away, and buggering up,
And chickening out, and pissing a pole...
Arthur: Sir Robin!
Robin: My liege! It's good to see you!
Knight of Ni: Now *'e* said the word!
Arthur: Surely you've not given up the quest for the Holy Grail!
Minstrels, by way of answering:
He's sneaking away, and buggering up,
Robin: Shut Up!
No no, no, far from it!
Knight of Ni: 'E said the word again!
Robin: ...I was...looking for it...
Knights of Ni: AAAAAAAuugh!
Robin: uh, here--here in this...forest.
Arthur: No, it is far from this place.
Knight of Ni: Aaaaaaugh! Stop saying the word!!!!
Arthur: (getting really annoyed with the Knights of Ni) OH, STOP IT!!
Knight of Ni: Ow! He said it again!
Arthur: Patsy! (motions all of his party to move on)
Knight of Ni: Wait! I said it! I said it!
Oh! I've said it again!
And there again...that's three hits!
Arthur, Bedevere, and Sir Robin ride off with the minstrels and Patsy.
]
[Update #2: Philip Downey sends a link to The Frantics "Dirty Words" skit.]
[And Keith Ivey reminds us that you're not supposed to say "mattress" to Mr. Lambert. ]
Posted by Mark Liberman at August 20, 2007 11:42 AM