A shawm is the double reed ancestor of the oboe, used in Europe from the 12th century through the 17th, and revived in the 20th by early music musicians. Shawms were made in different sizes and so had different ranges, from very low in pitch to very high. By the 14th century it was also referred to as a hoboy, and in the 15th c., hautbois, “high wood.” That name was transferred to the true oboe when it was invented in the 17th c.—not that I expect any of you would confuse the two. Pogo Possum at times played an instrument (vaguely) resembling a shawm—or possibly an early oboe, which went right along with the confusion that was so much a part of that cartoon. Research has not yet shown if Mr. Walt Kelly knew the difference, anyway. See, exempli gratia, the Sunday strip of Dec. 26, 1971, https://static0DOTcbrimagesDOTcom/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/pogo-christmas-11DOTjpg
JLChi 4 months ago
Hmmm, wonder who it could have been?
The picture looks familiar. Shawm, any guesses who it was?
I love the parent being a vet!
FreyjaRN Premium Member 4 months ago
It must have been Shawm.
stairsteppublishing 4 months ago
LaVa’s drawing certainly is a broad hint as to it must have been. Shawm?
saylorgirl 4 months ago
Shawm is the big news in their household.
DeerOrchid Premium Member 4 months ago
That’s hilarious. Perfect.
nancyb creator 4 months ago
The twins’ biography is now on the Characters page.
markkahler52 4 months ago
He knows where you’ve been!!
TekoaMT 4 months ago
Shawm! Oh, Shawm…Way to leave an impression.
ddjg 4 months ago
A shawm is the double reed ancestor of the oboe, used in Europe from the 12th century through the 17th, and revived in the 20th by early music musicians. Shawms were made in different sizes and so had different ranges, from very low in pitch to very high. By the 14th century it was also referred to as a hoboy, and in the 15th c., hautbois, “high wood.” That name was transferred to the true oboe when it was invented in the 17th c.—not that I expect any of you would confuse the two. Pogo Possum at times played an instrument (vaguely) resembling a shawm—or possibly an early oboe, which went right along with the confusion that was so much a part of that cartoon. Research has not yet shown if Mr. Walt Kelly knew the difference, anyway. See, exempli gratia, the Sunday strip of Dec. 26, 1971, https://static0DOTcbrimagesDOTcom/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/pogo-christmas-11DOTjpg
ladykat 4 months ago
Shawm’s veterinarian, perhaps?
meadowmarya 4 months ago
Great story line!
slelareader 4 months ago
Small world, isn’t it?
christineracine77 4 months ago
I wonder how Shawm will feel about Kate fraternizing with the enemy’s children . . .
Just-me 4 months ago
Rut Rho. Could he possibly be referring to Shawm?
kinich79 4 months ago
Oh, oh! Poor Shawm has just been exposed!
tammyspeakslife Premium Member 4 months ago
The 3rd panel says volumes.
darcyandsimon 4 months ago
Good likeness of Shawm, there!
GSD Mom Premium Member 4 months ago
LOL! Poor Shawm – he’s never going to live this down.
Mike Baldwin creator 4 months ago
You want to see the security footage!
davewhamond creator 4 months ago
Oooo, a twist! (which is what Shawm was doing trying to get away from the vet)
vlbrown Premium Member 4 months ago
Uh oh
StephenRice 4 months ago
Time to withdraw in shame. (Bag over head optional but recommended.)
Aladar30 Premium Member 4 months ago
What amazing coincidence!
nancyb creator 4 months ago
Once again, folks, the server does not always send me your comments, and so I answer them rather late. Thank you for enjoying the strip.
NyahNyahNyah 2 months ago
OOOOOOHHHHH! I just got it! (I had to come back and look a second time at the comic)
Barbara (aka Lava) drew a pic of the problem their mother had to deal with, and it’s Shaum!