unearths some literary gems.
From The May-Week Murders, by Douglas G. Browne:
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"He was Judas Thingumbob." [for Judas Maccabaeus]
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A stentorian shout from Patrick Ince made him (and about fifty other people) turn in our direction.
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"Let's get it tidy," Maurice said. He has a mania for getting things tidy. "What precisely were the conditions of the trust?"
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[One-Upping Chef Anatole dept. (I'm assuming, for present purposes, that 10 > "some.")]
"That fellow seemed as cool as ten cucumbers."
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I felt slightly uncomfortable, and wished Mr. Armfeldt and all his family in Jericho.
[As you may recall, Jericho has come up before (from a different author), as what I classify under "Alternatives to Timbuktu." So I guess the Jericho version must have been a "thing." But then later on, we have this!]
"They looked pally enough, but I could see he wished her at Halifax."
[N.B., Halifax is funnier than Charlottetown or even Moncton. True, Moncton evokes "monkfish"; but then Halifax inevitably suggest "lox," so even on that turf (or rather surf), Halifax has the clear advantage, imo.]
***
"Your Mr. Whatsisname, I suppose?"
"He's not my Mr. Whatsisname."
***
"A wide net must be flung, every means employed—"
"Every avenue explored and every stone turned," I murmured.
James glared.
"Sorry," I said. "It was protective mimicry."
[As I told Facebook, I'll have to remember #sorryitwasprotectivemimicry next time I'm being talked at by a bore!]
***
[Even good old Lady Whatsername would be impressed!]
At a glance I was able to read affectionate regards and remembrances from the Prince von This, the Count von That, the Grand Duke of Something and the Baron de Something Else.
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"At last I've met a Surrealist."
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"Stop this staccato dialogue, and tell the story properly. We're not characters in an American novel."
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The words "of course" were in permanent type on Miss Lanham's lips.
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[When the protagonists are in a room that's full of their host's collection of clocks and watches, and one of them is trying to hint at the other that it's time they were on their way.]
He kept catching my eye and casting meaning glances at the nearest half-dozen timepieces.
***
[Nonexistent American (and/or Canadian) Place Names dept.]
"Or I might have done if he wasn't the best swimmer in Michitoba. Or is it Manichigan?"
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"What is this--a pilgrimage, or a Rotary convention?"