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Re: Jansy's and
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Yes, Beth is right. But it’s also standard English. See Webster’s Second, plum, 7: "Something likened to a plum in desirableness; a good or choice thing of its kind, as among appointments, positions, parts of a book, etc.” Or W3: 4b: "something excellent or superior of its kind (as a choice passage in a book or an unusually good position)”; 4c: “something desirable received or available as a recompense for service.”
Brian Boyd
On 17/04/2014, at 12:51 pm, Don Johnson <chtodel@COX.NET<mailto:chtodel@COX.NET>> wrote:
Susan’s answer re Jansy’s query is certainly on target. I would add that “plum” as in “plum good” or “plum smart” was quite
common in my semi-ruralIndiana childhood---possibly echoing its use in the old English childrens’ rhyme. Don Johnson
From: NABOKV-L, English<mailto:nabokv-l@HOLYCROSS.EDU>
Sent: Wednesday, April 16, 2014 5:30 AM
To: NABOKV-L@LISTSERV.UCSB.EDU<mailto:NABOKV-L@LISTSERV.UCSB.EDU>
Subject: [NABOKV-L] QUERY: Plums and Easter eggs
In response to Jansy's inquiry, I assume that Nabokov has in mind the English nursery rhyme "Little Jack Horner,"<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Little_Jack_Horner> in which the title character pulls out a hidden plum from a pie and then congratulates himself.
:) SES
-
Susan Elizabeth Sweeney
Co-Editor, NABOKV-L
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Brian Boyd
On 17/04/2014, at 12:51 pm, Don Johnson <chtodel@COX.NET<mailto:chtodel@COX.NET>> wrote:
Susan’s answer re Jansy’s query is certainly on target. I would add that “plum” as in “plum good” or “plum smart” was quite
common in my semi-ruralIndiana childhood---possibly echoing its use in the old English childrens’ rhyme. Don Johnson
From: NABOKV-L, English<mailto:nabokv-l@HOLYCROSS.EDU>
Sent: Wednesday, April 16, 2014 5:30 AM
To: NABOKV-L@LISTSERV.UCSB.EDU<mailto:NABOKV-L@LISTSERV.UCSB.EDU>
Subject: [NABOKV-L] QUERY: Plums and Easter eggs
In response to Jansy's inquiry, I assume that Nabokov has in mind the English nursery rhyme "Little Jack Horner,"<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Little_Jack_Horner> in which the title character pulls out a hidden plum from a pie and then congratulates himself.
:) SES
-
Susan Elizabeth Sweeney
Co-Editor, NABOKV-L
Google Search <http://www.google.com/advanced_search?q=site:listserv.ucsb.edu&hl=en%0A>
the archive<http://www.google.com/advanced_search?q=site:listserv.ucsb.edu&hl=en%0A> Contact<mailto:nabokv-l@utk.edu,nabokv-l@holycross.edu>
the Editors<mailto:nabokv-l@utk.edu,nabokv-l@holycross.edu> NOJ<http://www.nabokovonline.com/> Zembla<http://www.libraries.psu.edu/nabokov/zembla.htm> Nabokv-L <http://web.utk.edu/%7Esblackwe/EDNote.htm>
Policies<http://web.utk.edu/%7Esblackwe/EDNote.htm> Subscription options<http://listserv.ucsb.edu/> AdaOnline<http://www.ada.auckland.ac.nz/> NSJ Ada Annotations<http://vnjapan.org/main/ada/index.html> L-Soft Search the archive<https://listserv.ucsb.edu/lsv-cgi-bin/wa?A0=NABOKV-L> VN Bibliography Blog<http://vnbiblio.com/>
All private editorial communications are read by both co-editors.
Google Search <http://www.google.com/advanced_search?q=site:listserv.ucsb.edu&hl=en%0A>
the archive<http://www.google.com/advanced_search?q=site:listserv.ucsb.edu&hl=en%0A> Contact<mailto:nabokv-l@utk.edu,nabokv-l@holycross.edu>
the Editors<mailto:nabokv-l@utk.edu,nabokv-l@holycross.edu> NOJ<http://www.nabokovonline.com/> Zembla<http://www.libraries.psu.edu/nabokov/zembla.htm> Nabokv-L <http://web.utk.edu/%7Esblackwe/EDNote.htm>
Policies<http://web.utk.edu/%7Esblackwe/EDNote.htm> Subscription options<http://listserv.ucsb.edu/> AdaOnline<http://www.ada.auckland.ac.nz/> NSJ Ada Annotations<http://vnjapan.org/main/ada/index.html> L-Soft Search the archive<https://listserv.ucsb.edu/lsv-cgi-bin/wa?A0=NABOKV-L> VN Bibliography Blog<http://vnbiblio.com/>
All private editorial communications are read by both co-editors.
Search archive with Google:
http://www.google.com/advanced_search?q=site:listserv.ucsb.edu&HL=en
Contact the Editors: mailto:nabokv-l@utk.edu,nabokv-l@holycross.edu
Visit Zembla: http://www.libraries.psu.edu/nabokov/zembla.htm
View Nabokv-L policies: http://web.utk.edu/~sblackwe/EDNote.htm
Visit "Nabokov Online Journal:" http://www.nabokovonline.com
Manage subscription options: http://listserv.ucsb.edu/