SOCKS: Was: Re: What Dumbledore saw in the Mirror of Erised

[bohcoo]

No: HPFGUIDX 78005

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "leu02ram" <leu02ram at r...> 
wrote:
> --- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "Kevin" <caradon_2000 at y...> 
> wrote:
> > --- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "michaelkgidlow" 
> > <Veritas771 at h...> wrote:
> > > I can't help but think that Dumbledore's seeing socks in the 
> Mirror 
> > > of Erised is a clue to something important. We know that to a 
> house 
> > > elf a sock means freedom, so could it be that Dumbledore wants 
to 
> > be 
> > > freed from something? Any ideas?
> > > 
> > 
> > > Michael Gidlow
> > 
> > 
> > Freedom, perhaps, from the awesome responsibilities of being the 
> > leader of the "good" faction in the Harry Potter universe? 
Freedom 
> > from the constant scrutiny from his "peers" at the MoM?
> > 
> > At least, those are what came into my mind as I read that 
passage...
> > 
> > Kevin
> 
> 
> Michael,
> 
> I think this is a great idea, but socks only mean freedom to Dobby, 
> not all house elves. He loves socks (bless him) because thats how 
> Harry set him free from the Malfoys in CoS (some time near the end, 
> don't have my book on me!).
> 
> The fact that DD says he see's himself with lots of socks, IMO, is 
> because he's lying to Harry about what he actually see's and this 
is 
> the first thing that pops into his head. Now, is there any reason 
why 
> its socks that come to mind? I can't see that its the freedom thing 
> because the Mirror of Erised is in PS and the association with 
socks 
> doesn't come until CoS, has JKR done that before?
> 
> Maybe DD does want some freedom from the facts Kevin mentioned, but 
I 
> don't think it has anything to do with socks.
> 
> Rachel





Bohcoo replies:

I'm sure a lot of you have seen this, but I thought I'd pass it along 
anyway since it is such a good chuckle. And, who knows? Could be 
something to it. You never know. . .


The following quote can be found here:
http://www.wizardingworld.com/hpsleuth.shtml


"S-O-C-K-S

This one really makes you think. It may not be what JKR had in mind, 
but knowing her sense of humor, you can sure see the possibility! An 
HP Super Sleuth informed us that there is a classic Spanish-English 
joke that is derived from a pun about socks. Since we are looking so 
hard for a "Eureka!" about socks, this just may be relevant.

HP Super Sleuth Donn in San Luis Obispo explains his theory:

JKR has lived in Portugal and it seems likely that she would know 
some (maybe a lot) of Spanish/Portuguese. If you spell "socks" in 
English [s-o-c-k-s], it comes out in Spanish as "¡Eso si que es!" 
with the rough translation: "Yes, that's it!"

The original joke went roughly as follows: A Spanish speaking man 
goes into a men's shop for some socks. The clerk only speaks English. 
The verbal communication just isn't working - so the clerk starts 
pointing to some different items. Shoes? No. Belt? No. Shirt? No. 
Finally the clerk points to some socks. The customer's face brightens 
and he says "¡Eso si que es!". The clerk is a little exasperated
and 
responds "Well, why didn't you spell it in the first place?"

Cool, huh? So, what about those socks? Of course, since the phrase 
means 'that's it' - we still have to wonder 'WHAT's it'...?"