The Shakespeare Conference: SHK 10.2092  Monday, 29 November 1999.

From:           Geoffrey Forward <This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.>
Date:           Thursday, 25 Nov 1999 07:59:39 -0800
Subject: 10.2035 Dyers and Big Calves
Comment:        Re: SHK 10.2035 Dyers and Big Calves

I would think in the first paragraph that the writer is poking fun at a
dyer with big calves without any necessary causative connection. Calves
larger than his thighs would make the man look deformed/funny, as the
drawings of Popey [sp], the cartoon character, had Popey's forearms much
larger than his biceps.

In the second paragraph, however, the pun is on dyeing (the cloth) and
dye (die, as in dead). It was the man's bad luck to have to work as a
dyer (often dyes) all his life.

Another pun shows in course (coarse) and course (racecourse).

Geoff

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