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

[Peggy]

No: HPFGUIDX 78026

Big Snip

> 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'...?"

Me:

I love the joke!  But maybe that's just it--the socks are a joke.  
Look out, it's a running gag!

Really, I think the socks are just part of the humor.  Socks are 
funny.  We wonder where they go in the washing machine, hunt for 
matching pairs, laugh at funny-looking socks (usually on other 
people), tell people to pull their socks up and get to work, make 
remarks about smelly socks, and on and on.  I don't believe that the 
socks keep making guest appearances except as a source of giggles. 

After all, Dobby said he needs to be given clothes, but who'd have 
thought it would be a single, icky, soggy sock that would do it?  JKR 
is just having fun.

Peg