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Sun, 19 Apr 1998 14:14:25 -0400 |
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As the author of most of the "dirty" entries in the _Mark Twain
Encyclopedia_, I guess I ought to weigh in here. I don't have my copy here
at home, but I do have my rough draft. The earliest publication attributed
it to Petroeum V. Nasby, but, to quote myself, "most scholars generally
accept MT's authorship."
I agree with Larry M. that "Onanism" is much more clever. And I like
"1601" best of all these bawdy, scatological pieces. I remember my glee
when I first found it in the library. I ended up doing my M.A. thesis on
it (which is why I guess I ended up covering all the "dirty" work for the
encyclopedia), and I am probably semi-legendary at Appalachian State U. for
uttering the phrase "art for fart's sake" during my thesis defense in
answer to a question about the work's importance. And now I get to say it
again in public! Tee hee--probably very much MT's impulse for writing
these little diversions.
John Bird
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