MythTickle by Justin Thompson for November 13, 2008

He should have told Booty that it stood for “Pleasant Dreams”. That’s part of what placebo means.

I thought placebo was Latin for “Get out of my office before I make you need a doctor!”

Re placebos: I cannot help but remember a New Yorker cartoon where the doc is at the desk speaking to a patient: “If this doesn’t work, I’ll put you on a stronger placebo.”

“Hamlet” became “Hamnet” in today’s strip. Must be an inside joke, or else I need more coffee.

Aww Bugger!, I was trying to think of something cute to say and Roger beat me to posting that Hamlet became Hamnet on the certificate.

Hamnet was the only son of William Shakespeare.

Radical-Knight, if the only reference I’d been able to find was the wikipedia article, I’d accuse you of being fooled by an erroneous wikipedia posting. However, you are absolutely right and I’m flummoxed. I’m usually pretty good in both history and literature, especially the Plantagenet and Tudor eras, but you sure caught me out on that one! I didn’t even know that Shakespeare had a son. I suppose, since he didn’t survive past eleven, he doesn’t get much emphasis in most college courses.

Placebo comes from Latin: “I will please”.

“Vah! Denuone Latine loquebar? Me ineptum. Interdum modo elabitur.

If I remember back to the dim, dark days of Latin class I think runar’s remarks could be (very) roughly translated as: Ah! I might speak by announcing in Latin. I’m inept. From time to time he might exert himself in this way.

How’d I do runar?

thevenbede your translation is very good!Well done!Though the verb loquebar is in past tence (indicative-imperfect)so i don’t think it needs might,a sipmle past tense would be better…;)

Hamnet died very young. It put Will into a long depression.