Lexicographer: a writer of dictionaries, a harmless drudge, that busies himself in tracing the original, and detailing the signification of words. – Samuel Johnson, Dictionary (1751) In a seven-part series, we surveyed the contributions of comics and cartoons to English popular language Part 1, part 2, part 3 looked at American newspaper comic strips; part [...]
This is part seven of our look at comics, cartoons and language– today focussing on Britain Art by Heath Robinson Britain has a long, rich tradition of cartooning second to no other land’s. And, as we saw for American English, cartoons have contributed to the country’s popular language.
This is part six of our look at comics, cartoons and language– today focusing on panel and editorial cartoons “When I saw them together at the beach, that’s when the light bulb switched on: they were having an affair! The origin of this metaphor– the light bulb moment- for a sudden realisation or a [...]
This is part five of our look at comics, cartoons and language– today focusing on the comic book Art by Don Newton and Alfredo Alcala “Jeff and Tom are an item? Isn’t that cradle-robbing?” “Oh, total Batman and Robin, you know.” That same online gay and LGBTglossary consulted in part 4 gives the following definitions: [...]
And on to comic books, in part four of our series on language from the comics and cartoons! “No, I haven’t finished clearing out the barn! I’m up to my eyeballs in chores– I’m not Superman, you know.” Art by Joe Shuster The creators of the Superman comics character didn’t invent the word ‘superman’, but [...]
This is part three of our look at comics’ contributions to colloquial English. Another prolific contributor to the language was Al Capp, creator of the strip Li’l Abner. “My Mom and Dad met when she picked him out at a Sadie Hawkins dance.” Sadie Hawkins is one of Capp’s memorable characters; she first appeared in [...]
Jeep! Jeep! This is part two of our survey of language spawned by comics and cartoons. Here’s a strip that, in comics, is one of the richest contributors to the language: Thimble Theatre, better known worldwide by the name of its protagonist, the sailor Popeye. The strip’s creator, Elzie Segar (1894– 1938) is credited with several coinages, some [...]
Jaime Hernandez’ work told me that I could and should draw comics about where I live, the things I did everyday, and the people I know and love.
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