Date:  Mon, 20 Nov 1995 16:00:34 -0500

From:  Jesse T Sheidlower <jester[AT SYMBOL GOES HERE]PANIX.COM>

Subject: Re: PC Language



> >> Wayne Glowka wrote:

> Jesse Sheidlower wrote:



> >Hey, remember the "Silk Cunt" episode in David Lodge's _Nice Work_?

>

> I do not know this episode. Would you mind sharing a synopsis of it--he

> asked with trepidation.



Well, I've forgotten most of the details--it may be "Slick Cunt,"

for instance. But the gist is: Young female lit. theorist is hanging

around with businessman as "cultural exchange" study. Woman

explains various theory-based criticism, including misreading/puns, etc.

a la "The pen is mightier than the sword"/"The penis mightier than

the sword." Businessman thinks about this, and when they are in bed

together comes up with [n.p.i.] "Silk (or maybe Slick) Cunt," in

reference to the British brand of cigarettes Silk Cut.



I'm sure someone who's read the book more recently will correct the

details and add whatever the humorous aspects of the scene are.

I was only remarking on the parallel of sexual puns on

cigarette names. Hey, it's a cross-cultural parallel too! Anyone

need a thesis topic ? <vbg>



Jesse Sheidlower

<jester[AT SYMBOL GOES HERE]panix.com>