A sure way to aggravate an English Professor

[Nyarlathotep]

I am taking an English Literature class this semester. I learned a very valuable lessson in class last night. When asked to read a poem by Emily Bronte, do NOT sing it to the tune of "The Yellow Rose of Texas". It is, apparently, frowned upon. Trust me.

I have heard that all of her poems can be sung to "the Yellow Rose of Texas". I haven't read all of her poems (or any of them prior to last night) but it does work for this one at least.

http://www.smashin.btinternet.co.uk/poetry/bronte1.htm

[Brian]

Heard the same thing about Emily Dickenson and for the most part it's true.

[Nyarlathotep]

Originally posted by Brian
Heard the same thing about Emily Dickenson and for the most part it's true.

Maybe I was getting my Emilys mixed up and it just happend to work for that one. Hmmmm......

[Rosencrantz]

This may be somewhat off-topic, but the first Emily Dickinson poem from that episode of Babylon 5 ("My candle burns at both ends...") is actually by Edna St. Vincent Milay. :)

[Sundog]

Here's a bit of secret, sacred knowledge that may come in handy if you are ever forced to impersonate a churchgoer: The words peanut butter sandwiches can be sung to nearly any Protestant hymn.

[Nyarlathotep]

Originally posted by Sundog
Here's a bit of secret, sacred knowledge that may come in handy if you are ever forced to impersonate a churchgoer: The words peanut butter sandwiches can be sung to nearly any Protestant hymn.

I shall have to try that one. Unfortuantely it has been so long since I was in a church that the closest thing to a hymn that I can remember the tune to is "Silent Night" and it doesn't work for that one.

[Sundog]

Originally posted by Nyarlathotep


I shall have to try that one. Unfortuantely it has been so long since I was in a church that the closest thing to a hymn that I can remember the tune to is "Silent Night" and it doesn't work for that one.



Pea-nut but-ter,
Sandwiches,
Pea-nut butt'r,
Sandwiches,
Pea-nut buuu-ter sand-wich-es,
Pea-nut buuu-ter sand-wich-es,
Peanut BUUU-ter sand-wich,
Pea-nut-but-ter-sand-wich-es.

[Nyarlathotep]

Originally posted by Sundog




Pea-nut but-ter,
Sandwiches,
Pea-nut butt'r,
Sandwiches,
Pea-nut buuu-ter sand-wich-es,
Pea-nut buuu-ter sand-wich-es,
Peanut BUUU-ter sand-wich,
Pea-nut-but-ter-sand-wich-es.



mmmmmm......peanut butter sandwiches......[Drool]

You're making me hungry and I still have two hours till lunch.

[Thanz]

Originally posted by Sundog
Here's a bit of secret, sacred knowledge that may come in handy if you are ever forced to impersonate a churchgoer: The words peanut butter sandwiches can be sung to nearly any Protestant hymn.
Hey, I know that you are not a church goer, and I know you are just making a joke here, but they have this new thing at churches now called a hymnbook. It actually contains all the words to the songs! Now, the next time you have to impersonate a church goer, they won't think that you just escaped from the mental hospital.

[Nyarlathotep]

Ye gads! Sundog is right. So far today I also tried it with "Jesus Loves the little Children" and "Hark! the Herald Angel sings!" and Peanut butter sandwiches fights right into those.

Scary.

[Sundog]

Originally posted by Thanz

Hey, I know that you are not a church goer, and I know you are just making a joke here, but they have this new thing at churches now called a hymnbook. It actually contains all the words to the songs! Now, the next time you have to impersonate a church goer, they won't think that you just escaped from the mental hospital.

:confused:

But where's the fun in that?

[Brown]

Here's something that is MUCH more fun (and yes, I have actually done this):

Sing hymns like Elmer Fudd.

[Iconoclast]

Originally posted by Brown
Sing hymns like Elmer Fudd.
I remember once seeing Robin Williams do an impression of Elmer Fudd singing Bruce Springstein's "Fire", pure gold.

[wayrad]

Anybody remember the Isaac Asimov essay about paradimethylaminobenzaldehyde? Once you get the word stuck in your head to the tune of "The Irish Washerwoman" it never comes out...

[Yahweh]

Originally posted by Sundog
Here's a bit of secret, sacred knowledge that may come in handy if you are ever forced to impersonate a churchgoer: The words peanut butter sandwiches can be sung to nearly any Protestant hymn.
I've currently got Tubthumpin' by Chumba Wumba playing on my computer...
Peanut butter,
Peanut butter sandwiches,
Peanut butter peanut butter sandwiches,
...

Jesus Christ, what you have said will never EVER escape out of my brain... so naturally I'll scoop out the part of the brain where its stored, problem solved!

[Sundog]

Originally posted by wayrad
Anybody remember the Isaac Asimov essay about paradimethylaminobenzaldehyde? Once you get the word stuck in your head to the tune of "The Irish Washerwoman" it never comes out...

YES! Only for me it's to the tune of "Ode for Joy".

Try it, you won't thank me.

Thanks a lot, Isaac.

[ceo_esq]

"Amazing Grace" can be sung to the tune of the "Gilligan's Island" theme song, and vice versa.

[LW]

Originally posted by Nyarlathotep

I have heard that all of her poems can be sung to "the Yellow Rose of Texas". I haven't read all of her poems (or any of them prior to last night) but it does work for this one at least.]

After hearing M.A. Numminen ad-lib the list of contents of the study guide of our university to the tune of one old Finnish folk song, I've been convinced that anything can be sung to any melody.

And mind you, last spring I arranged the pumping theorem of regular languages to the tune of another Finnish folk song.

If L is a regular language then there exists a natural number n > 0 such that for all strings w in L it holds that |w| >= n implies that w = xyz where |xy| <= n, |y| > 0, and xy^iz is in L for all i >= 0.

[sorgoth]

If L is a regular language then there exists a natural number n > 0 such that for all strings w in L it holds that |w| >= n implies that w = xyz where |xy| <= n, |y| > 0, and xy^iz is in L for all i >= 0.

...What? :confused:

[LW]

Originally posted by sorgoth


...What? :confused:

It's the pumping theorem. Don't be afraid. It is your friend.

[And for longer explanation: I've been involved on arrangements of a basic course on theoretical computer science for way too long time. The experience has shown that the first subject matter that really gives trouble for students is the above-mentioned theorem. So, I tried to put it as a song.

[Lord Muck oGentry]

Best of all is singing Wittgenstein's "Wovon man nicht sprechen kann, darueber muss man scheigen" to the tune " Good King Wenceslas".Usually leads to some pretty silly party games.

[Lord Muck oGentry]

"Schweigen", that is ( party games started early).

[Temporal Renegade]

A sure way to aggravate an English Professor, hm?

...tell him you're Irish?

Sorry! Must be Pun-day Monday!:roll:

[Nyarlathotep]

Originally posted by Temporal Renegade
A sure way to aggravate an English Professor, hm?

...tell him you're Irish?

Sorry! Must be Pun-day Monday!:roll:

What's black and blue and floats upside down in the Irish Sea? An englishman who tells too many Irish jokes.

Note to my English and Irish friends out there: Don't blame me for this joke, Blame Benny Hill

[Temporal Renegade]

Originally posted by Nyarlathotep


What's black and blue and floats upside down in the Irish Sea? An englishman who tells too many Irish jokes.

Note to my English and Irish friends out there: Don't blame me for this joke, Blame Benny Hill

Well, technically, I'm French-Canadian, but I do have an English bent!
First one to ask, "English bent what?" gets a haggis upside the head! (Yes yes I KNOW that's Scottish....leave me alone!!):)

[ZeeGerman]

Originally posted by LW


It's the pumping theorem. Don't be afraid. It is your friend.

[And for longer explanation: I've been involved on arrangements of a basic course on theoretical computer science for way too long time. The experience has shown that the first subject matter that really gives trouble for students is the above-mentioned theorem. So, I tried to put it as a song.

I love your longer explanation. I can clearly recall the trouble I had with that one. I find it hard to imagine though that it can be grasped more easily when chanting it as a Finnish folk song :D

Zee

[sorgoth]

Originally posted by LW


It's the pumping theorem. Don't be afraid. It is your friend.

[And for longer explanation: I've been involved on arrangements of a basic course on theoretical computer science for way too long time. The experience has shown that the first subject matter that really gives trouble for students is the above-mentioned theorem. So, I tried to put it as a song.

The problem with singing on the internet is...you can`t.

[TomStockholm]

Originally posted by Lord Muck oGentry
Best of all is singing Wittgenstein's "Wovon man nicht sprechen kann, darueber muss man scheigen" to the tune " Good King Wenceslas".Usually leads to some pretty silly party games.


Originally posted by LW

After hearing M.A. Numminen ad-lib the list of contents of the study guide of our university to the tune of one old Finnish folk song, I've been convinced that anything can be sung to any melody



As a wonderful coincidence I have a record at home where the fantastic M.A Numminen actually does sing "Wovon man nicht sprechen kann"

It is on a record where he interprets Wittgenstein in reggae and ska tact in English and Esperanto if I recall correctly...

The man is a genius... He was once on Swedish Tv and improvised in Swedish an opera version of his local county councils budget requirements for the coming year. He finished the evening with a Swedish version of Hit Me with your rhythm stick.

Classic.

[BPSCG]

Next time you hear the "Lone Ranger" part of Rossini's William Tell overture, hum along with it to the tune of Turkey in the Straw. Perfect counterpoint.

[Peach Jr.]

Originally posted by Iconoclast

I remember once seeing Robin Williams do an impression of Elmer Fudd singing Bruce Springstein's "Fire", pure gold.
My brother-in-law does an incredible rendition of Elmer Fudd singing "Submission" by the Sex Pistols. Truly something that has to be heard to be believed.

[Peach Jr.]

Originally posted by BPSCG
Next time you hear the "Lone Ranger" part of Rossini's William Tell overture, hum along with it to the tune of Turkey in the Straw. Perfect counterpoint.
Another fun classical music experiment: Singing "The Bear Went over the Mountain" to the appropriate section of Beethoven's "Wellington's Victory"

Don't expect your music history professor to be pleased with you. :D

[Prospero]

My sister informed me that "Cucumber Melon" is also capable of being used in the same manner as "peanut butter sandwich" with even more accuracy. She told me this two Sundays before I entirely ceased attending church, but for those two Sundays, it seemed to be effective. It was quite amusing for a 15 year old.

[Candace]

You can also sing the words from "Gilligan's Island" to the tune of 'Stairway to Heaven". I heard this done several years ago and it put me on the floor.

[LW]

Originally posted by TomStockholm

As a wonderful coincidence I have a record at home where the fantastic M.A Numminen actually does sing "Wovon man nicht sprechen kann"

The man is a genius...

Or a madman. I haven't been able to decide. But anyway, I have to admire his talent in earning his living by singing for more than 30 years without having any actual singing voice at all.

His best recordings include singing the army horse care regulations [that's why I know that a horse may be bathed at most three times a week in summertime and it should be done under supervision of "equine officer" or sergeant major in the charge of horse supplies] and the law banning pornographic materials [this law has since been repealed].

[DrMatt]

Originally posted by LW


It's the pumping theorem. Don't be afraid. It is your friend.

[And for longer explanation: I've been involved on arrangements of a basic course on theoretical computer science for way too long time. The experience has shown that the first subject matter that really gives trouble for students is the above-mentioned theorem. So, I tried to put it as a song.

It's been a LONG time since I've looked at this, but it looks a lot like a lemma leading up to one of the theorems by Noam Chomsky. In a nutshell, they're statements of the limitations of grammars like Prolog, and for the most part they're isomorphic to theorems by Goedel about arithmetic.

[Matabiri]

You can sing any haiku to the tune of Agadoo.

(This isn't my observation; it comes from http://d-squareddigest.blogspot.com/2003_06_15_d-squareddigest_archive.html )

[Doghouse Reilly]

All Emily Dickinson poems can be sung to the tune of Gilligan's Island....
"I heard a fly buzz when I died...."

[AfaintcoldcupofTea..]

A sure way to aggravate an English Professor
Glue him to the seat and throw peas at him.:eek:

[DrMatt]

Originally posted by Nyarlathotep
I am taking an English Literature class this semester. I learned a very valuable lessson in class last night. When asked to read a poem by Emily Bronte, do NOT sing it to the tune of "The Yellow Rose of Texas". It is, apparently, frowned upon. Trust me.

I have heard that all of her poems can be sung to "the Yellow Rose of Texas". I haven't read all of her poems (or any of them prior to last night) but it does work for this one at least.

http://www.smashin.btinternet.co.uk/poetry/bronte1.htm

Like, the main, like, sure way to, like, aggravate a, like, English professor, is to, like, abuse the English language. Like, especially if you, like, use part of it as, like, a hiccup and thus, like, deprive it of its, like, meaning.

[Soapy Sam]

...y'know?

[Abdul Alhazred]

Originally posted by Nyarlathotep
I am taking an English Literature class this semester. I learned a very valuable lessson in class last night. When asked to read a poem by Emily Bronte, do NOT sing it to the tune of "The Yellow Rose of Texas". It is, apparently, frowned upon. Trust me.

I have heard that all of her poems can be sung to "the Yellow Rose of Texas". I haven't read all of her poems (or any of them prior to last night) but it does work for this one at least.

http://www.smashin.btinternet.co.uk/poetry/bronte1.htm

Hmm.

Never mind Emily Dickenson (who I heard this about) or Bronte, or Edna St. Vincent Millay.


It is an ancient Mariner,
And he stoppeth one of three.
By thy long beard and glittering eye,
Now wherefore stopp'st thou me ?


Yup. Right tune! :D

[fhios]

Originally posted by Abdul Alhazred


Hmm.

Never mind Emily Dickenson (who I heard this about) or Bronte, or Edna St. Vincent Millay.



Yup. Right tune! :D

You can also sing that poem to the Marine Corp Hymn. Isn't possible to sing any poem in iambic pentameter to any song with its lyrics in the same measure? That should have us singing everything to everything...and really ticking off those English prof's.

[Abdul Alhazred]

Originally posted by fhios


You can also sing that poem to the Marine Corp Hymn. Isn't possible to sing any poem in iambic pentameter to any song with its lyrics in the same measure? That should have us singing everything to everything...and really ticking off those English prof's.

"The Rime of the Ancient Mariner" is not iambic pentameter. Nor are the others mentioned in this thread.

Try "to be or not to be" from Shakepeare's Hamlet. It doesn't work for "Yellow Rose of Texas".

It just plain doesn't work. Sorry, buddy.

However The Yarn of the Nancy Bell (http://math.boisestate.edu/gas/bab_ballads/nancy_bell.txt) does.

By the way, "La Cucaracha" and "My darling Clementine" can each be sung by the others' tune. No iambic pentameter there!

[wayrad]

Never mind Emily Dickenson (who I heard this about) or Bronte, or Edna St. Vincent Millay.

quote:
It is an ancient Mariner,
And he stoppeth one of three.
By thy long beard and glittering eye,
Now wherefore stopp'st thou me ?
The above also works (in a strangely appropriate manner) with the Gilligan's Island theme.

[7th sextile]

Please,friends!One cannot aggravate an English Prof,one must
irritate or annoy him or her.Of course,one can then proceed to aggravate the situation...

[aerosolben]

Originally posted by LW


It's the pumping theorem. Don't be afraid. It is your friend.

DrMatt is correct. It is in fact the pumping lemma, not the pumping theorem (perhaps it's a translational issue).

The reason I remember this is I had a professor who pronounced it as "The pumping LEE-ma". Highly amusing.

[LW]

Originally posted by aerosolben

DrMatt is correct. It is in fact the pumping lemma, not the pumping theorem (perhaps it's a translational issue).

Both terms are used. A quick search on my table shows that Lewis and Papadimitriou use "theorem" in Elements of the Theory of Computation, Davis, Sigal, and Weyuker use "lemma" in Computability, Complexity, and Languages, and Sipser does the same in Introduction to the Theory of Computation. I think that Hopcroft and Ullman use also "lemma" in their book whose name I can't remember, so that makes it 3:1 on the side of "lemma" versus "theorem".

In my opinion, the result is important enough to be called a theorem even though the original article had it only as a lemma. (Though, I have to admit that when speaking about it, I use "lemma" because it is faster to say).

[Suddenly]

I aggravated an English professor in a big way when he asked me what I thought of the short story I read for class. I was about the fourth person he asked. The other three went on about metaphor, theme, and a bunch of other technical aspects I neither recall nor remember. I, however, responded:

"I liked it. It was neat."

Completely rattled him..

[Nyarlathotep]

Originally posted by Suddenly
I aggravated an English professor in a big way when he asked me what I thought of the short story I read for class. I was about the fourth person he asked. The other three went on about metaphor, theme, and a bunch of other technical aspects I neither recall nor remember. I, however, responded:

"I liked it. It was neat."

Completely rattled him..

You just gave me an idea for this Thursday.........