https://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/api.php?action=feedcontributions&feedformat=atom&user=188.106.104.36explain xkcd - User contributions [en]2026-07-07T08:22:57ZUser contributionsMediaWiki 1.30.0https://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/index.php?title=1139:_Rubber_and_Glue&diff=223861139: Rubber and Glue2012-12-10T09:56:56Z<p>188.106.104.36: It's a random stick figure, look at the kids in the back on the swing, they're bald, too, so any one of those could be Cueball. It's not important for the understanding of the comic anyway and leads to confusion</p>
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<div>{{comic<br />
| number = 1139<br />
| date = November 26, 2012<br />
| title = Rubber and Glue<br />
| image = rubber and glue.png<br />
| imagesize = <br />
| titletext = I'm rubber. You're rubber. We contemplate the reality of our existence in mute, vulcanized horror.<br />
}}<br />
<br />
==Explanation==<br />
"I'm rubber, you're glue, your words bounce off me and stick to you" is a schoolground retort used by children to suggest that one's insults are being ignored by the intended recipient of the insult and counter that the insult rather refers to the insulter. On a deeper level, it may imply that a person insulting others is an indication of their own insecurity and weakness.<br />
<br />
In this comic, a young [[Black Hat]] is reading a chemistry and physics handbook, which leads to a literal and graphic visualization of the phrase. He uses the retort to frighten the children bullying him, into calling for their mothers. Meanwhile, a young [[Megan]] is walking on across the top of the swing set.<br />
<br />
The book Black Hat is reading is the {{w|CRC Handbook of Chemistry and Physics}}. It is also nicknamed the 'Rubber Bible' or the 'Rubber Book', as CRC originally stood for "Chemical Rubber Company".<br />
<br />
==Transcript==<br />
:[Playground. Young Megan is balancing on a swing, two kids are swinging and two more kids, Cueball and a boy, are approaching a reading Black Hat.]<br />
:Boy: Whatchya reading, hatboy?<br />
:Black Hat: The CRC handbook of chemistry and physics.<br />
:Cueball: You are such a loser, it's ''painful''.<br />
:Black Hat: I'm rubber, you're glue.<br />
<br />
:Boy: Yeah, well-<br />
:Black Hat: ''Glue can't speak.''<br />
:Black Hat: You try to scream, but your mouth fills with glue.<br />
:Black Hat: Your face is glue. Your body is glue.<br />
<br />
:Black Hat: I wrap my rubber arms around your sticky bulk.<br />
:Black Hat: Your neoprene base bonds instantly with my surface.<br />
:Black Hat: Never to let go.<br />
<br />
:Black Hat: You are glue. I am rubber.<br />
:Black Hat: Staring at you with my dead, rubber eyes-<br />
:Black Hat: ''Forever.''<br />
:[Off-screen]: ''MOOOOM!''<br />
{{comic discussion}} <br />
[[Category:Comics featuring Cueball]]<br />
[[Category:Comics featuring Black Hat]]<br />
[[Category:Comics featuring Megan]]<br />
[[Category:Language]]<br />
[[Category:Physics]]</div>188.106.104.36