Guys and Dolls

Fussy Believes In Simple.  And Clarification.

“On behalf of tHe former sinners of tomorrow, I protest…..”  Hey, I know that.  Must be from a news feed or tweet. Gotta be political. Gotta be millennial.  Gotta be biblical. Words of wisdom. Words of BUll####. I like that.  I hate that.  Gotta share that now! Is your immediate reaction correct? The answer is Yes..No..Maybe*…..Probably not.   

As a stand alone quote,  the simple phrase triggers an immediate response.  It’s exactly what it seems… simple…familiar… .timely….ageless….provocative…entertaining. The phrase may be simple, but it begs clarification. Context , in most things, provide clarity.  Clarification takes time and thought. Context clarifies much in the same way butter is clarified.   

So, put on a low flame…. mentally.  As the flickering blue heat tickles the gray matter, search your memories, ideas and life experience. No knee jerk reactions please.  NO internet.  Then, let the flame die… let  the reflections settle, cOOl and collect. Now decide; where does the phrase come from? What does it mean?

Fussy knows. Not fair? So what!  Here’s the context along with Fussy’s clarification:

The phrase is Runyonesque.

Runyon’s ear captured the slang of a 20th century era on paper. 

Damon Runyon, journalist and author, was born in the 19th century.
Larger than life, Runyon’s legacy  lives on in popular media and serious research.

“GUYS AND DOLLS”, the 1950’s musical, is the source.

Sky Masterson, an inveterate gambler, said it.

Alan Alda’s dad originated the role on Broadway.

Marlon Brando played Sky in the 1955 MGM Musical.

CLARIFIED BUTTER: Warm half a pound of butter over low heat until melted.  Turn off heat. Let the solids separate from the fat.  Pour off the clear butter.  Higher cOOking temperature.  Richer flavor.  GHEE! You’re welcome.

Does Fussy’s context provide definitive clarity?  Absolutely not. Ain’t nothin’ new under the sun.  I’ve forgotten more than I’ll ever know.

*  When Bop said “Maybe”in the last month of his life, He truly meant NO! That’s another story for another cOOking tip.