[net.nlang] Ambiguity

sharp@aquila.UUCP (09/14/84)

Mary had a little lamb,
The midwife had a fit.
-- 
	Nigel Sharp   [noao!sharp  National Optical Astronomy Observatories]

dts@gitpyr.UUCP (Danny Sharpe) (09/17/84)

Mary had a little lamb,
The doctor had a stroke.
But when Old MacDonald had a farm,
The doctor really croaked!

robison@eosp1.UUCP (Tobias D. Robison) (09/24/84)

References:

In Dicken's Nicholas Nickleby, there is a character who has
dedicated his life to proving that Shakespear's plays have
other meanings when pronounced differently.  Examples (from
Hamlet) given, I presume, in the novel, that appeared in the TV
production:

	To be or not!  To be that is the question.

	Oh what a rogue and peasant slave!  Am I?
	[That is, "am I also a rogue and peasant slave like
	that one that I see?"- TDR]

	- Toby Robison (not Robinson!)
	allegra!eosp1!robison
	or: decvax!ittvax!eosp1!robison
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