Bu-Bubble: Difference between revisions

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==Annotation==
==Annotation==
In Latin, 'bubo' translates to 'cry like a bittern (bird that booms/roars like an ox during mating)'. As Pratchett was quite clever in his use of portmanteaus, the word also resonates with the word 'bitter', which is a state of being regularly associated with relationships in such magazines, etc. A heron-like bird, 'bittern' comes from Latin <i>butionem</i> "bittern" + taurus "bull" (see steer (n.)); according to Pliny, so called because of its booming voice, but this seems fanciful. Modern form from 1510s.' ('bittern' etymology is from etymonline.com)


Possibly from Bu-bo, or bubonic pustule. Which is - more-or-less - a fair approximation of said froth-mags...
Possibly from Bu-bo, or bubonic pustule. Which is - more-or-less - a fair approximation of said froth-mags...

Latest revision as of 21:12, 24 February 2019

Apparently a fashion and style magazine in Ankh-Morpork, publisher unknown. May have a lot in common with Roundworld froth-mags such as "Hello!", "Heat", et c. Seen in Unseen Academicals, it devotes an inside section to Dwarf female style, indicating that the revolution begun by Cheery Littlebottom still rolls on. Often features 'lifestyle profiles' on various social and fashion icons, with questions such as 'do you wax?' and 'what is your favorite spoon?'

Interestingly enough, in a mood of hysteria following the fire that destroyed the Ankh-Morpork Times press in Gleam Street, William de Worde and Sacharissa Cripslock are discussing ideas to maximise revenue from the printing presses and come up with ideas for glossy magazines. Sacharissa muses

"Ring, yes. Now that's another thing. There are all the dwarfs in the city. We could produce a magazine for them. I mean... what's the modern dwarf wearing this season?" (The Truth, page 269)

We are told in The Compleat Ankh-Morpork that this is indeed published on the same presses that produce the Times, although publishership is attributed to Gunilla Goodmountain and not to William and Sacharissa. then again, Gunilla, Wiliam and Sacharissa are all part of the same team.

Annotation

In Latin, 'bubo' translates to 'cry like a bittern (bird that booms/roars like an ox during mating)'. As Pratchett was quite clever in his use of portmanteaus, the word also resonates with the word 'bitter', which is a state of being regularly associated with relationships in such magazines, etc. A heron-like bird, 'bittern' comes from Latin butionem "bittern" + taurus "bull" (see steer (n.)); according to Pliny, so called because of its booming voice, but this seems fanciful. Modern form from 1510s.' ('bittern' etymology is from etymonline.com)

Possibly from Bu-bo, or bubonic pustule. Which is - more-or-less - a fair approximation of said froth-mags...

'Me and my spoon' is a feature in the British satirical magazine Private Eye, satirising trivial interviews with questions such as 'What is your favourite Spoon', 'Has anything amusing ever happened to you in connection with a spoon', etc.

Here's a really interesting one. Think in Quirmian for a moment and listen to the sound made by Bu-Bubble. It has been suggested that if interpreted in Quirmian, the name of the publication comes out as Beau, Beaux, Belle - a repetition of the word for lovely, beautiful in various iterations. OK, so it might have to be "Bo.." and not "Bu-" to really work, but look at how many women's beauty and style magazines on Roundworld have French names - Marie-Claire, Vogue, Mode.....