Difference between revisions of "Pages 3-27"
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==Page 3== | ==Page 3== | ||
| − | + | '''Remington-hung''' | |
| − | + | ||
Hal is referring to the fact that the office he's in is decorated with art by Frederic Remington (1861-1909), an American painter who work can be seen online [http://www.remington-art.com/remington%20biography.htm here]. | Hal is referring to the fact that the office he's in is decorated with art by Frederic Remington (1861-1909), an American painter who work can be seen online [http://www.remington-art.com/remington%20biography.htm here]. | ||
| − | + | '''half-Windsors''' | |
| − | + | ||
A type of knot used to tie a necktie | A type of knot used to tie a necktie | ||
| − | + | '''Harold Incandenza''' | |
| − | + | ||
Hal's full first name is given for the first time. | Hal's full first name is given for the first time. | ||
| − | + | '''Enfield''' | |
| − | + | ||
A fictional town just west of Boston, which exists where parts of the real town of Brighton and the Boston neighborhood of Allston exist in reality. There used to be a real Enfield in western Massachusetts but it was disincorporated in 1938. | A fictional town just west of Boston, which exists where parts of the real town of Brighton and the Boston neighborhood of Allston exist in reality. There used to be a real Enfield in western Massachusetts but it was disincorporated in 1938. | ||
==Page 4== | ==Page 4== | ||
| − | + | '''O.N.A.N.C.A.A.''' | |
| − | + | ||
Organization of North American Nations Collegiate Atheltic Assocation -- presumably the future complement of the NCAA. | Organization of North American Nations Collegiate Atheltic Assocation -- presumably the future complement of the NCAA. | ||
| − | + | '''wen''' | |
| − | + | ||
"A benign encysted tumor of the skin, esp. on the scalp, containing sebaceous matter; a sebaceous cyst" (<i>Random House Unabridged Dictionary</i>) | "A benign encysted tumor of the skin, esp. on the scalp, containing sebaceous matter; a sebaceous cyst" (<i>Random House Unabridged Dictionary</i>) | ||
| − | + | '''Randolph Tennis Center''' | |
| − | + | ||
The [http://www.randolphtenniscenter.com/ Randolph Tennis Center] is a real place, near Tuscon, Ariz., where the main campus of the University of Arizona is also located. | The [http://www.randolphtenniscenter.com/ Randolph Tennis Center] is a real place, near Tuscon, Ariz., where the main campus of the University of Arizona is also located. | ||
| − | + | '''El Con Marriott''' | |
| − | + | ||
"El Con" is short for "El Conquistador," and while there is a Hilton El Conquidistdor Hotel in Tuscon, the Marriot has a different name. | "El Con" is short for "El Conquistador," and while there is a Hilton El Conquidistdor Hotel in Tuscon, the Marriot has a different name. | ||
==Page 5== | ==Page 5== | ||
| − | + | '''"...the fat women in the Viking hat having sung..."''' | |
| − | + | ||
Another way of saying, "It ain't over till the fat lady sings." This expression refers to opera, particularly those by Richard Wagner. | Another way of saying, "It ain't over till the fat lady sings." This expression refers to opera, particularly those by Richard Wagner. | ||
| − | + | '''62.5%''' | |
| − | + | ||
Out of eight people in the room (including himself, three deans, the Director of Composition, deLint, and C.T.), five are looking at Hal. Hal not being able to look at himself, two people are <i>not</i> looking at Hal, presumably deLint and C.T. | Out of eight people in the room (including himself, three deans, the Director of Composition, deLint, and C.T.), five are looking at Hal. Hal not being able to look at himself, two people are <i>not</i> looking at Hal, presumably deLint and C.T. | ||
| − | + | '''circumflex''' | |
| − | + | ||
A circumflex is a diacritical mark, as seen in the French verb <i>être</i> (to be). Presumably, the dean's eyebrows have taken on this shape. | A circumflex is a diacritical mark, as seen in the French verb <i>être</i> (to be). Presumably, the dean's eyebrows have taken on this shape. | ||
| − | + | '''Pac 10''' | |
| − | + | ||
The Pacific 10 athletic conference, the other members of which are: Arizona State Univ., Univ. of California at Berkeley, Univ. of Oregon, Oregon State Univ., Stanford Univ., UCLA, USC, Univ. of Washington, and Washington State Univ. | The Pacific 10 athletic conference, the other members of which are: Arizona State Univ., Univ. of California at Berkeley, Univ. of Oregon, Oregon State Univ., Stanford Univ., UCLA, USC, Univ. of Washington, and Washington State Univ. | ||
| − | + | '''Kekuléan''' | |
| − | + | ||
Referring to Friedrich August Kekule von Stradonitz (a.k.a. August Kekulé), a German organic chemist (1829-1896). Chemicals are said to be formed by knots of elements. The exact shape to which Hal is referring is unclear. | Referring to Friedrich August Kekule von Stradonitz (a.k.a. August Kekulé), a German organic chemist (1829-1896). Chemicals are said to be formed by knots of elements. The exact shape to which Hal is referring is unclear. | ||
==Page 6== | ==Page 6== | ||
| − | + | '''aviarian''' | |
| − | + | ||
This word, not found in dictionaries, would seem to mean "of or pertaining to an aviary," an aviary being where birds are kept. | This word, not found in dictionaries, would seem to mean "of or pertaining to an aviary," an aviary being where birds are kept. | ||
==Page 7== | ==Page 7== | ||
| − | + | '''lapidary''' | |
| − | + | ||
A jewel-cutter | A jewel-cutter | ||
| − | + | '''effete''' | |
| − | + | ||
Degenerate or decadent | Degenerate or decadent | ||
| − | + | '''Prescriptive Grammar''' | |
| − | + | ||
This terms describes a school of thought that there are rules of grammar that should be obeyed and taught. Wallace is firmly in this school. | This terms describes a school of thought that there are rules of grammar that should be obeyed and taught. Wallace is firmly in this school. | ||
| − | + | '''Post-Fourier Transformations''' | |
| − | + | ||
Named for Jean Baptiste Joseph Fourier (1768-1830), a French mathematician, a Fourier transformation is "a certain linear operator that maps functions to other functions" (Wikipedia). Post-Fourier would refer to those transformations that came after Fourier. | Named for Jean Baptiste Joseph Fourier (1768-1830), a French mathematician, a Fourier transformation is "a certain linear operator that maps functions to other functions" (Wikipedia). Post-Fourier would refer to those transformations that came after Fourier. | ||
| − | + | '''Holographically Mimetic''' | |
| − | + | ||
Approximating reality using holograms | Approximating reality using holograms | ||
| − | + | '''Montague Grammar''' | |
| − | + | ||
Named for Richard Merett Montague (1930-1971), an American logician, this is an approach to semantics that suggests that the semantics of natural languages is essentially the same as those of formal languages, such as logic or computer programming. | Named for Richard Merett Montague (1930-1971), an American logician, this is an approach to semantics that suggests that the semantics of natural languages is essentially the same as those of formal languages, such as logic or computer programming. | ||
| − | + | '''Physical Modality''' | |
| − | + | ||
Modality, in linguistics, refers to sign theory. Physical modality would, therefore, be either how a physical thing is represented by a sign or how any idea is represented by something physical. | Modality, in linguistics, refers to sign theory. Physical modality would, therefore, be either how a physical thing is represented by a sign or how any idea is represented by something physical. | ||
| − | + | '''Tertiary''' | |
| − | + | ||
Third-level | Third-level | ||
| − | + | '''Justinian''' | |
| − | + | ||
The era of the reign of Byzantine Emperor Justinian I (reigned 527-565) | The era of the reign of Byzantine Emperor Justinian I (reigned 527-565) | ||
| − | + | '''sotto''' | |
| − | + | ||
Italian for "below," it means the dean is speaking in a low voice. | Italian for "below," it means the dean is speaking in a low voice. | ||
==Page 8== | ==Page 8== | ||
| − | + | '''Oxbridge Quadrivium-Trivium''' | |
| − | + | ||
Oxbridge refers to the two oldest colleges in the U.K., Oxford and Cambridge. The Quadrivium are the four academic subjects of arithmetic, geometry, music and astronomy. The Trivium are three disciplines, i.e., grammar, logic, and rhetoric. | Oxbridge refers to the two oldest colleges in the U.K., Oxford and Cambridge. The Quadrivium are the four academic subjects of arithmetic, geometry, music and astronomy. The Trivium are three disciplines, i.e., grammar, logic, and rhetoric. | ||
==Page 9== | ==Page 9== | ||
| − | + | '''N.A.A.U.P.''' | |
| − | + | ||
North American Associaton of University Professors, the presumed followed to the American Assocation of University Professors. | North American Associaton of University Professors, the presumed followed to the American Assocation of University Professors. | ||
| − | + | '''de moi''' | |
| − | + | ||
French: from me | French: from me | ||
| − | + | '''"...who use whomsoever as a subject..."''' | |
| − | + | ||
"Whosoever" would be the proper subjective form of this word. | "Whosoever" would be the proper subjective form of this word. | ||
| − | + | '''capillary webs''' | |
| − | + | ||
The smallest networks of blood vessels, where arteries turn into veins | The smallest networks of blood vessels, where arteries turn into veins | ||
| − | + | '''defacatory''' | |
| − | + | ||
As if eliminating solid bodily waste | As if eliminating solid bodily waste | ||
| − | + | '''RICO''' | |
| − | + | ||
An acronym for the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act, a statute used primarily to charge organized crime figures in criminal conspiracies. | An acronym for the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act, a statute used primarily to charge organized crime figures in criminal conspiracies. | ||
==Page 10== | ==Page 10== | ||
| − | + | '''Brewster's-Angle light''' | |
| − | + | ||
Name for Sir David Brewster (1781-1868), a Scottish scientist, the angle is the angle which non-polarized light striking a surface at will reflect polarized light. Presumably a desk lamp is position at such an angle. This is explained in better detail [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brewster%27s_angle here]. | Name for Sir David Brewster (1781-1868), a Scottish scientist, the angle is the angle which non-polarized light striking a surface at will reflect polarized light. Presumably a desk lamp is position at such an angle. This is explained in better detail [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brewster%27s_angle here]. | ||
| − | + | '''Weston''' | |
| − | + | ||
A suburb of Boston, about 17 miles west of the city | A suburb of Boston, about 17 miles west of the city | ||
| − | + | '''Orin''' | |
| − | + | ||
Hal's older brother, his name means "a tree" or "pale." | Hal's older brother, his name means "a tree" or "pale." | ||
| − | + | '''Rototiller''' | |
| − | + | ||
a brand name of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rotary_tiller rotary tiller] | a brand name of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rotary_tiller rotary tiller] | ||
| − | + | '''hirsute''' | |
| − | + | ||
hairy | hairy | ||
==Page 11== | ==Page 11== | ||
| − | + | '''presbyopic''' | |
| − | + | ||
Literally "old-eyed," this is the inability to focus one's eyes as one grows older | Literally "old-eyed," this is the inability to focus one's eyes as one grows older | ||
| − | + | '''plumb''' | |
| − | + | ||
perpendicular | perpendicular | ||
==Page 12== | ==Page 12== | ||
| − | + | '''Kirkegaard''' | |
| − | + | ||
Søren Aabye Kierkegaard was a 19th century Danish philosopher and one of the progenitors of existential philosophy | Søren Aabye Kierkegaard was a 19th century Danish philosopher and one of the progenitors of existential philosophy | ||
| − | + | '''Camus''' | |
| − | + | ||
Albert Camus was a 20th century Algerian-born French author of existentialist texts. | Albert Camus was a 20th century Algerian-born French author of existentialist texts. | ||
| − | + | '''Dennis Gabor''' | |
| − | + | ||
Dennis Gabor, born Gábor Dénes, was a 20th century Hungarian physicist who invented holography, for which he received the Nobel Prize. | Dennis Gabor, born Gábor Dénes, was a 20th century Hungarian physicist who invented holography, for which he received the Nobel Prize. | ||
| − | + | '''"...Hobbes is just Rousseau in a dark mirror..."''' | |
| − | + | ||
Thomas Hobbes (1588-1679) was a British philosopher and author of <i>Leviathan</i>. In it, he suggests that the only escape from living in a state of nature that is "solitary, nasty, brutish, and short" is to build societies. Jean-Jacques Rousseau (1712-1778) was the Swiss-French philosopher who wrote <i>The Social Contract,</i> in which he advances the same argument but idealizes the state of nature. | Thomas Hobbes (1588-1679) was a British philosopher and author of <i>Leviathan</i>. In it, he suggests that the only escape from living in a state of nature that is "solitary, nasty, brutish, and short" is to build societies. Jean-Jacques Rousseau (1712-1778) was the Swiss-French philosopher who wrote <i>The Social Contract,</i> in which he advances the same argument but idealizes the state of nature. | ||
| − | + | '''Hegel''' | |
| − | + | ||
Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel (1770-1831) was a highly influential German philosopher. | Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel (1770-1831) was a highly influential German philosopher. | ||
| − | + | '''creatus''' | |
| − | + | ||
Latin for "creation," the line over the a indicates the vowel is pronounced as in "hate" rather than in "father." | Latin for "creation," the line over the a indicates the vowel is pronounced as in "hate" rather than in "father." | ||
| − | + | '''pinioned''' | |
| − | + | ||
To pinion is to disable a bird by clipping its wings. | To pinion is to disable a bird by clipping its wings. | ||
| − | + | '''Nunn Bush''' | |
| − | + | ||
A [http://www.nunnbush.com/shop-nb/index.ep brand of shoes] | A [http://www.nunnbush.com/shop-nb/index.ep brand of shoes] | ||
==Page 13== | ==Page 13== | ||
| − | + | '''half nelson''' | |
| − | + | ||
a wrestling hold where both arms are pinned behind the back | a wrestling hold where both arms are pinned behind the back | ||
| − | + | '''Heimlich''' | |
| − | + | ||
The Heimlich maneuver, named for contemporary American physician Henry Jay Heimlich, dislodges food from a choking person's trachea by applying sharp pressure to the abdomen. | The Heimlich maneuver, named for contemporary American physician Henry Jay Heimlich, dislodges food from a choking person's trachea by applying sharp pressure to the abdomen. | ||
| − | + | '''pases''' | |
| − | + | ||
This is the plural of <i>pase</i>, a Spanish word used in bullfighting to denote the movement of the matador's cape in drawing in the bull. | This is the plural of <i>pase</i>, a Spanish word used in bullfighting to denote the movement of the matador's cape in drawing in the bull. | ||
| − | + | '''supine''' | |
| − | + | ||
lying on one's back | lying on one's back | ||
| − | + | '''enfilade''' | |
| − | + | ||
a word used to denote a type of military gunfire. A formation or position is "in enfilade" if weapons fire can be directed along its length. For instance, a column of marching troops is enfiladed if fired on from the front rather than the side. | a word used to denote a type of military gunfire. A formation or position is "in enfilade" if weapons fire can be directed along its length. For instance, a column of marching troops is enfiladed if fired on from the front rather than the side. | ||
==Page 14== | ==Page 14== | ||
| − | + | '''Whataburger''' | |
| − | + | ||
apparently a genuine [http://www.whataburger.com/ fast food chain] | apparently a genuine [http://www.whataburger.com/ fast food chain] | ||
==Page 15== | ==Page 15== | ||
| − | + | '''espadrilles''' | |
| − | + | ||
shoes popular in Latin American with rope for soles | shoes popular in Latin American with rope for soles | ||
| − | + | '''cirri''' | |
| − | + | ||
plural of cirrus, a type of cloud | plural of cirrus, a type of cloud | ||
| − | + | '''martinet''' | |
| − | + | ||
a strict disciplinarian | a strict disciplinarian | ||
==Page 16== | ==Page 16== | ||
| − | + | '''ultra-mach''' | |
| − | + | ||
Named for Ernst Mach (1838-1916), a Bohemian-Austrian physicist, the mach unit is a unit for the speed of sound. "Ultra-mach" would apply to a plane flying at several times the speed of sound. | Named for Ernst Mach (1838-1916), a Bohemian-Austrian physicist, the mach unit is a unit for the speed of sound. "Ultra-mach" would apply to a plane flying at several times the speed of sound. | ||
| − | + | '''barnwood''' | |
| − | + | ||
This word refers to "aged and weathered boards, esp. those salvaged from dismantled barns" (<i>Random House Unabridged Dictionary</i>). | This word refers to "aged and weathered boards, esp. those salvaged from dismantled barns" (<i>Random House Unabridged Dictionary</i>). | ||
| − | + | '''starboard list''' | |
| − | + | ||
Employing the nautical term for "right" (starboard), the woman referred to tends to move right as she tries to move forward. | Employing the nautical term for "right" (starboard), the woman referred to tends to move right as she tries to move forward. | ||
| − | + | '''incisionish''' | |
| − | + | ||
a neologism meaning "of or like an incision" | a neologism meaning "of or like an incision" | ||
| − | + | '''infantophile''' | |
| − | + | ||
This would seem to imply a person who has an affinity for infants. | This would seem to imply a person who has an affinity for infants. | ||
| − | + | '''hypophalangial''' | |
| − | + | ||
missing fingers | missing fingers | ||
| − | + | '''Himself's''' | |
| − | + | ||
I.e., James Incandenza, this is the first reference to Hal's father. | I.e., James Incandenza, this is the first reference to Hal's father. | ||
==Page 17== | ==Page 17== | ||
| − | + | '''"...Donald Gately and I dig up my father's head..."''' | |
| − | + | ||
See <i>Hamlet</i>, Act Five, Scene One. | See <i>Hamlet</i>, Act Five, Scene One. | ||
| − | + | '''Venus Williams''' | |
| − | + | ||
At the time this novel was published, Venus Williams would have been sixteen years old. | At the time this novel was published, Venus Williams would have been sixteen years old. | ||
| − | + | '''Dymphna''' | |
| − | + | ||
Dymphna was a 7th century Irish saint. Her feast day is May 15. She is the patron saint of mental illness professionals, epilectics, and the mentally ill, among others. | Dymphna was a 7th century Irish saint. Her feast day is May 15. She is the patron saint of mental illness professionals, epilectics, and the mentally ill, among others. | ||
| − | + | '''Petropolis Kahn''' | |
| − | + | ||
<i>Petropolis</i> is Greek for "city of stone" or "city of Peter." Petrópolis is a city in Brazil near Rio de Janeiro. A treaty was signed there on November 11, 1903, ending hostilities between Bolivia and Brazil. | <i>Petropolis</i> is Greek for "city of stone" or "city of Peter." Petrópolis is a city in Brazil near Rio de Janeiro. A treaty was signed there on November 11, 1903, ending hostilities between Bolivia and Brazil. | ||
"Kahn" is a variant on the Jewish name for a priest, i.e., <i>kohen</i>. | "Kahn" is a variant on the Jewish name for a priest, i.e., <i>kohen</i>. | ||
| − | + | '''etiology''' | |
| − | + | ||
the cause of a disease | the cause of a disease | ||
| − | + | '''<i>O.E.D. VI</i>'s count''' | |
| − | + | ||
This is a reference to the <i>Oxford English Dictionary</i>, sixth edition. | This is a reference to the <i>Oxford English Dictionary</i>, sixth edition. | ||
| − | + | '''Latinate''' | |
| − | + | ||
deriving from Latin | deriving from Latin | ||
| − | + | '''Saxonic''' | |
| − | + | ||
deriving from Old English | deriving from Old English | ||
| Line 317: | Line 247: | ||
==Page 18== | ==Page 18== | ||
| − | + | '''200 grams''' | |
| − | + | ||
a little over seven ounces | a little over seven ounces | ||
| − | + | '''"...using just audio.."''' | |
| − | + | ||
The implication here is that in the time of the book, there are videophones. | The implication here is that in the time of the book, there are videophones. | ||
| − | + | '''Allston''' | |
| − | + | ||
A part of of Boston proper, west of downtown and across the Charles river from Cambridge. The fictional Enfield most likely occupies part of what is in reality Allston. | A part of of Boston proper, west of downtown and across the Charles river from Cambridge. The fictional Enfield most likely occupies part of what is in reality Allston. | ||
==Page 19== | ==Page 19== | ||
| − | + | '''TP''' | |
| − | + | ||
"Teleputer", as used elsewhere in the text. Assumed to be a hybridized communications/entertainment device. | "Teleputer", as used elsewhere in the text. Assumed to be a hybridized communications/entertainment device. | ||
==Page 20== | ==Page 20== | ||
| − | + | '''Mountie''' | |
| − | + | ||
a member of the [http://www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/ Royal Canadian Mounted Police], their equivalent of the FBI | a member of the [http://www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/ Royal Canadian Mounted Police], their equivalent of the FBI | ||
| − | + | '''Porter Square, Cambridge''' | |
| − | + | ||
a neighborhood of Cambridge bordering on Somerville, about a mile from [http://www.tufts.edu/ Tufts University], which is on the Somerville/Medford border | a neighborhood of Cambridge bordering on Somerville, about a mile from [http://www.tufts.edu/ Tufts University], which is on the Somerville/Medford border | ||
==Page 21== | ==Page 21== | ||
| − | + | '''Wedekind festival''' | |
| − | + | ||
This would presumably be a festival celebrating the plays of German playwright Benjamin Franklin Wedekind (1864-1914), a proto-expressionist. | This would presumably be a festival celebrating the plays of German playwright Benjamin Franklin Wedekind (1864-1914), a proto-expressionist. | ||
==Page 22== | ==Page 22== | ||
| − | + | '''pleurisy''' | |
| − | + | ||
inflammation of the pleurae, the membranes surrounding the lungs | inflammation of the pleurae, the membranes surrounding the lungs | ||
| − | + | '''120 grams''' | |
| − | + | ||
about 4.2 ounces | about 4.2 ounces | ||
| − | + | '''Tito Puente''' | |
| − | + | ||
[http://www.musicofpuertorico.com/index.php/artists/tito_puente/ Ernest Anthony Puente, Jr.], an internationally known Puerto Rican jazz musician. | [http://www.musicofpuertorico.com/index.php/artists/tito_puente/ Ernest Anthony Puente, Jr.], an internationally known Puerto Rican jazz musician. | ||
| − | + | '''Marlborough Street''' | |
| − | + | ||
Marlborough Street runs through the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Back_Bay,_Boston,_Massachusetts Back Bay] area of Boston. | Marlborough Street runs through the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Back_Bay,_Boston,_Massachusetts Back Bay] area of Boston. | ||
==Page 23== | ==Page 23== | ||
| − | + | '''methamphetamine hydrochloride''' | |
| − | + | ||
As the endnote on p. 983 tells us, this the chemical name for crystal meth. Calling to mind that <i>Infinite Jest</i> was published in 1996, don't think crystal meth is a new phenomenon. | As the endnote on p. 983 tells us, this the chemical name for crystal meth. Calling to mind that <i>Infinite Jest</i> was published in 1996, don't think crystal meth is a new phenomenon. | ||
==Page 24== | ==Page 24== | ||
| − | + | '''magisculed''' | |
| − | + | ||
"Magiscules" are upper-case letters; Wallace is using this noun as a verb. | "Magiscules" are upper-case letters; Wallace is using this noun as a verb. | ||
| − | + | '''50 grams''' | |
| − | + | ||
about 1.75 ounces | about 1.75 ounces | ||
| − | + | '''hydroponic''' | |
| − | + | ||
grown in water without soil | grown in water without soil | ||
==Page 25== | ==Page 25== | ||
| − | + | '''stein''' | |
| − | + | ||
a drinking mug | a drinking mug | ||
| − | + | '''E.W.D. land barge''' | |
| − | + | ||
perhaps "Enfield Waste Disposal" | perhaps "Enfield Waste Disposal" | ||
| − | + | '''half a meter''' | |
| − | + | ||
nearly 20 inches | nearly 20 inches | ||
| − | + | '''carb''' | |
| − | + | ||
Short for "carburetor," just as the carburetor in an internal combustion engine mixes air with gas to allow combustion, the carbuteror on a water pipe allows one to draw air in with marijuana smoke. | Short for "carburetor," just as the carburetor in an internal combustion engine mixes air with gas to allow combustion, the carbuteror on a water pipe allows one to draw air in with marijuana smoke. | ||
| − | + | '''teleputer''' | |
| − | + | ||
Presumably a computer which shows television shows or movies, it occurs to me now that "TP" may stand for "teleputer." | Presumably a computer which shows television shows or movies, it occurs to me now that "TP" may stand for "teleputer." | ||
| Line 414: | Line 324: | ||
==Page 27== | ==Page 27== | ||
| + | |||
| + | {{Top}} | ||
| + | |||
| + | {{InfiniteJest PbP}} | ||
Revision as of 04:50, 11 February 2009
- Editors: Please keep these annotations SPOILER-FREE by not revealing information from later pages in the novel. And please pay attention to formatting and grammar. Preview your changes before saving them. Thanks!
Contents
Page 3
Remington-hung Hal is referring to the fact that the office he's in is decorated with art by Frederic Remington (1861-1909), an American painter who work can be seen online here.
half-Windsors A type of knot used to tie a necktie
Harold Incandenza Hal's full first name is given for the first time.
Enfield A fictional town just west of Boston, which exists where parts of the real town of Brighton and the Boston neighborhood of Allston exist in reality. There used to be a real Enfield in western Massachusetts but it was disincorporated in 1938.
Page 4
O.N.A.N.C.A.A. Organization of North American Nations Collegiate Atheltic Assocation -- presumably the future complement of the NCAA.
wen "A benign encysted tumor of the skin, esp. on the scalp, containing sebaceous matter; a sebaceous cyst" (Random House Unabridged Dictionary)
Randolph Tennis Center The Randolph Tennis Center is a real place, near Tuscon, Ariz., where the main campus of the University of Arizona is also located.
El Con Marriott "El Con" is short for "El Conquistador," and while there is a Hilton El Conquidistdor Hotel in Tuscon, the Marriot has a different name.
Page 5
"...the fat women in the Viking hat having sung..." Another way of saying, "It ain't over till the fat lady sings." This expression refers to opera, particularly those by Richard Wagner.
62.5% Out of eight people in the room (including himself, three deans, the Director of Composition, deLint, and C.T.), five are looking at Hal. Hal not being able to look at himself, two people are not looking at Hal, presumably deLint and C.T.
circumflex A circumflex is a diacritical mark, as seen in the French verb être (to be). Presumably, the dean's eyebrows have taken on this shape.
Pac 10 The Pacific 10 athletic conference, the other members of which are: Arizona State Univ., Univ. of California at Berkeley, Univ. of Oregon, Oregon State Univ., Stanford Univ., UCLA, USC, Univ. of Washington, and Washington State Univ.
Kekuléan Referring to Friedrich August Kekule von Stradonitz (a.k.a. August Kekulé), a German organic chemist (1829-1896). Chemicals are said to be formed by knots of elements. The exact shape to which Hal is referring is unclear.
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aviarian This word, not found in dictionaries, would seem to mean "of or pertaining to an aviary," an aviary being where birds are kept.
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lapidary A jewel-cutter
effete Degenerate or decadent
Prescriptive Grammar This terms describes a school of thought that there are rules of grammar that should be obeyed and taught. Wallace is firmly in this school.
Post-Fourier Transformations Named for Jean Baptiste Joseph Fourier (1768-1830), a French mathematician, a Fourier transformation is "a certain linear operator that maps functions to other functions" (Wikipedia). Post-Fourier would refer to those transformations that came after Fourier.
Holographically Mimetic Approximating reality using holograms
Montague Grammar Named for Richard Merett Montague (1930-1971), an American logician, this is an approach to semantics that suggests that the semantics of natural languages is essentially the same as those of formal languages, such as logic or computer programming.
Physical Modality Modality, in linguistics, refers to sign theory. Physical modality would, therefore, be either how a physical thing is represented by a sign or how any idea is represented by something physical.
Tertiary Third-level
Justinian The era of the reign of Byzantine Emperor Justinian I (reigned 527-565)
sotto Italian for "below," it means the dean is speaking in a low voice.
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Oxbridge Quadrivium-Trivium Oxbridge refers to the two oldest colleges in the U.K., Oxford and Cambridge. The Quadrivium are the four academic subjects of arithmetic, geometry, music and astronomy. The Trivium are three disciplines, i.e., grammar, logic, and rhetoric.
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N.A.A.U.P. North American Associaton of University Professors, the presumed followed to the American Assocation of University Professors.
de moi French: from me
"...who use whomsoever as a subject..." "Whosoever" would be the proper subjective form of this word.
capillary webs The smallest networks of blood vessels, where arteries turn into veins
defacatory As if eliminating solid bodily waste
RICO An acronym for the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act, a statute used primarily to charge organized crime figures in criminal conspiracies.
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Brewster's-Angle light Name for Sir David Brewster (1781-1868), a Scottish scientist, the angle is the angle which non-polarized light striking a surface at will reflect polarized light. Presumably a desk lamp is position at such an angle. This is explained in better detail here.
Weston A suburb of Boston, about 17 miles west of the city
Orin Hal's older brother, his name means "a tree" or "pale."
Rototiller a brand name of rotary tiller
hirsute hairy
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presbyopic Literally "old-eyed," this is the inability to focus one's eyes as one grows older
plumb perpendicular
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Kirkegaard Søren Aabye Kierkegaard was a 19th century Danish philosopher and one of the progenitors of existential philosophy
Camus Albert Camus was a 20th century Algerian-born French author of existentialist texts.
Dennis Gabor Dennis Gabor, born Gábor Dénes, was a 20th century Hungarian physicist who invented holography, for which he received the Nobel Prize.
"...Hobbes is just Rousseau in a dark mirror..." Thomas Hobbes (1588-1679) was a British philosopher and author of Leviathan. In it, he suggests that the only escape from living in a state of nature that is "solitary, nasty, brutish, and short" is to build societies. Jean-Jacques Rousseau (1712-1778) was the Swiss-French philosopher who wrote The Social Contract, in which he advances the same argument but idealizes the state of nature.
Hegel Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel (1770-1831) was a highly influential German philosopher.
creatus Latin for "creation," the line over the a indicates the vowel is pronounced as in "hate" rather than in "father."
pinioned To pinion is to disable a bird by clipping its wings.
Nunn Bush A brand of shoes
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half nelson a wrestling hold where both arms are pinned behind the back
Heimlich The Heimlich maneuver, named for contemporary American physician Henry Jay Heimlich, dislodges food from a choking person's trachea by applying sharp pressure to the abdomen.
pases This is the plural of pase, a Spanish word used in bullfighting to denote the movement of the matador's cape in drawing in the bull.
supine lying on one's back
enfilade a word used to denote a type of military gunfire. A formation or position is "in enfilade" if weapons fire can be directed along its length. For instance, a column of marching troops is enfiladed if fired on from the front rather than the side.
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Whataburger apparently a genuine fast food chain
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espadrilles shoes popular in Latin American with rope for soles
cirri plural of cirrus, a type of cloud
martinet a strict disciplinarian
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ultra-mach Named for Ernst Mach (1838-1916), a Bohemian-Austrian physicist, the mach unit is a unit for the speed of sound. "Ultra-mach" would apply to a plane flying at several times the speed of sound.
barnwood This word refers to "aged and weathered boards, esp. those salvaged from dismantled barns" (Random House Unabridged Dictionary).
starboard list Employing the nautical term for "right" (starboard), the woman referred to tends to move right as she tries to move forward.
incisionish a neologism meaning "of or like an incision"
infantophile This would seem to imply a person who has an affinity for infants.
hypophalangial missing fingers
Himself's I.e., James Incandenza, this is the first reference to Hal's father.
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"...Donald Gately and I dig up my father's head..." See Hamlet, Act Five, Scene One.
Venus Williams At the time this novel was published, Venus Williams would have been sixteen years old.
Dymphna Dymphna was a 7th century Irish saint. Her feast day is May 15. She is the patron saint of mental illness professionals, epilectics, and the mentally ill, among others.
Petropolis Kahn Petropolis is Greek for "city of stone" or "city of Peter." Petrópolis is a city in Brazil near Rio de Janeiro. A treaty was signed there on November 11, 1903, ending hostilities between Bolivia and Brazil.
"Kahn" is a variant on the Jewish name for a priest, i.e., kohen.
etiology the cause of a disease
O.E.D. VI's count This is a reference to the Oxford English Dictionary, sixth edition.
Latinate deriving from Latin
Saxonic deriving from Old English
Year of the Depend Adult Undergarment
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200 grams a little over seven ounces
"...using just audio.." The implication here is that in the time of the book, there are videophones.
Allston A part of of Boston proper, west of downtown and across the Charles river from Cambridge. The fictional Enfield most likely occupies part of what is in reality Allston.
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TP "Teleputer", as used elsewhere in the text. Assumed to be a hybridized communications/entertainment device.
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Mountie a member of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, their equivalent of the FBI
Porter Square, Cambridge a neighborhood of Cambridge bordering on Somerville, about a mile from Tufts University, which is on the Somerville/Medford border
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Wedekind festival This would presumably be a festival celebrating the plays of German playwright Benjamin Franklin Wedekind (1864-1914), a proto-expressionist.
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pleurisy inflammation of the pleurae, the membranes surrounding the lungs
120 grams about 4.2 ounces
Tito Puente Ernest Anthony Puente, Jr., an internationally known Puerto Rican jazz musician.
Marlborough Street Marlborough Street runs through the Back Bay area of Boston.
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methamphetamine hydrochloride As the endnote on p. 983 tells us, this the chemical name for crystal meth. Calling to mind that Infinite Jest was published in 1996, don't think crystal meth is a new phenomenon.
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magisculed "Magiscules" are upper-case letters; Wallace is using this noun as a verb.
50 grams about 1.75 ounces
hydroponic grown in water without soil
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stein a drinking mug
E.W.D. land barge perhaps "Enfield Waste Disposal"
half a meter nearly 20 inches
carb Short for "carburetor," just as the carburetor in an internal combustion engine mixes air with gas to allow combustion, the carbuteror on a water pipe allows one to draw air in with marijuana smoke.
teleputer Presumably a computer which shows television shows or movies, it occurs to me now that "TP" may stand for "teleputer."
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