Subject
Fwd: RE: 'spatule', Ada, Chap 9
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In French, spatule is also used to refer to the tips of skis, as in "Tenez
les spatules de vos skis relevées!" when getting off the ski lift!
David Powelstock
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Vladimir Nabokov Forum [mailto:NABOKV-L@LISTSERV.UCSB.EDU] On Behalf
> Of Donald B. Johnson
> Sent: Tuesday, February 22, 2005 1:07 PM
> To: NABOKV-L@LISTSERV.UCSB.EDU
> Subject: Fwd: 'spatule', Ada, Chap 9
>
> I've never come across this spelling and use of 'spatule'. Does it have
> an ornithological meaning?
>
> >From Ada, (58.4)
>
> 'Her teeth were fairly white, but not very even.
> Her poor pretty handsone could not help cooing with pity
> over themrosy in comparison to the translucent skin of the
> arm, rosier even than the elbow that seemed to be blushing for
> the state of her nails: she bit them so thoroughly that all vestige
> of free margin was replaced by a groove cutting into the flesh
> with the tightness of wire and lending an additional spatule of
> length to her naked fingertips.'
>
> Brian Howell
> http://www.windriverpress.com/titles/studyofsleep.html
> http://www.tobypress.com/books/dance_geometry.htm
> http://www.elasticpress.com/sound_of_white_ants.htm
>
> ----- End forwarded message -----
>
> EDNOTE. SPATULE is a technical term meaning "spoon-shaped" and is widely
> applies
> to such structures in insects, birds (spoonbills) and botany. In VN's
> usage
> above, I suppose the "free margins" refer to the nail tips that usually
> conceal the back tips of fingers. In Ada's bitten nails the backs of the
> finger
> tips are exposed, leaving the grooved area exposed with that additional
> spatule.
----- End forwarded message -----
les spatules de vos skis relevées!" when getting off the ski lift!
David Powelstock
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Vladimir Nabokov Forum [mailto:NABOKV-L@LISTSERV.UCSB.EDU] On Behalf
> Of Donald B. Johnson
> Sent: Tuesday, February 22, 2005 1:07 PM
> To: NABOKV-L@LISTSERV.UCSB.EDU
> Subject: Fwd: 'spatule', Ada, Chap 9
>
> I've never come across this spelling and use of 'spatule'. Does it have
> an ornithological meaning?
>
> >From Ada, (58.4)
>
> 'Her teeth were fairly white, but not very even.
> Her poor pretty handsone could not help cooing with pity
> over themrosy in comparison to the translucent skin of the
> arm, rosier even than the elbow that seemed to be blushing for
> the state of her nails: she bit them so thoroughly that all vestige
> of free margin was replaced by a groove cutting into the flesh
> with the tightness of wire and lending an additional spatule of
> length to her naked fingertips.'
>
> Brian Howell
> http://www.windriverpress.com/titles/studyofsleep.html
> http://www.tobypress.com/books/dance_geometry.htm
> http://www.elasticpress.com/sound_of_white_ants.htm
>
> ----- End forwarded message -----
>
> EDNOTE. SPATULE is a technical term meaning "spoon-shaped" and is widely
> applies
> to such structures in insects, birds (spoonbills) and botany. In VN's
> usage
> above, I suppose the "free margins" refer to the nail tips that usually
> conceal the back tips of fingers. In Ada's bitten nails the backs of the
> finger
> tips are exposed, leaving the grooved area exposed with that additional
> spatule.
----- End forwarded message -----