2919: Sitting in a Tree - Revision history

208.59.176.206: /* Explanation */

2026-02-11T03:15:36Z

‎Explanation

Natg19: /* Transcript */ cat

2025-08-08T22:07:12Z

‎Transcript: cat

FaviFake at 10:44, 28 July 2025

2025-07-28T10:44:31Z

BabylonAS: /* Explanation */ using proper list markup

2024-12-14T19:23:10Z

‎Explanation: using proper list markup

172.69.79.164: /* Explanation */ Friendlier link-template

2024-11-24T12:43:29Z

‎Explanation: Friendlier link-template

172.69.71.88: Forgot punctuation

2024-11-24T06:26:06Z

Forgot punctuation

172.69.70.237: Added possible proper meaning of "e-f-i-l-i-n-g"

2024-11-24T06:25:34Z

Added possible proper meaning of "e-f-i-l-i-n-g"

172.71.26.46: /* Explanation */ Minimal 'debugging' of possible Garden Path confusion, by punctuation. Could be entirely re-written, of course.

2024-11-08T14:08:06Z

‎Explanation: Minimal 'debugging' of possible Garden Path confusion, by punctuation. Could be entirely re-written, of course.

ConscriptGlossary: Removed extra space

2024-11-08T11:45:37Z

Removed extra space

ConscriptGlossary: U-N-D-O-I-N-G

2024-10-29T09:19:33Z

U-N-D-O-I-N-G

@@ Line 31: / Line 31: @@
 Very alarming:
-*'''{{w|Molting}}''' is shedding one's skin. Many insects molt in trees, such as cicadas, grasshoppers, and termites.  For humans to molt, something would have to be very wrong indeed.
+*'''{{w|Molting}}''' is shedding one's skin. Many insects molt in trees, such as cicadas, grasshoppers, and termites. For humans to molt, something would have to be very wrong indeed.
 *'''{{w|Whaling}}''' is hunting whales, which has been outlawed in the US since the 1980s. Whales aren't usually found in trees.<sup>[''{{w|List of cetaceans|cetacean needed}}'']</sup> And since the letter 'W' is three syllables when sung aloud, this is the only gerund in the comic that doesn't have the standard seven syllables of the traditional taunt.
 *'''{{w|E-filing}}''' is submitting one's tax returns online, common in the US. This comic was published a few days before the US tax deadline. E-filing could quite reasonably be done from a tree using a laptop or other portable computing device, but is not typically performed by schoolchildren. This may also be a reference to {{wiktionary|efilism}}, a philosophy that espouses total destruction of all life on Earth to minimize suffering.
-*'''{{w|Melting}}''' is turning from a solid state to a liquid state, which is usually fatal.{{Citation needed}}
+*'''{{w|Melting}}''' is turning from a solid state to a liquid state, which is usually fatal.{{Citation needed}} The implication is that Cueball and Megan are themselves melting, as opposed to them causing something such as ice cubes to melt, which would probably be harmless.
 *'''{{w|Radiography|X-raying}}''' is using {{w|X-ray}} radiation to image someone or something for medical or security purposes, not normally conducted in trees. With enough radiation, the X-rays could be fatal.
 *'''{{wiktionary|smite#English|Smiting}}''' is striking down, destroying or killing, often with divine power called from a god. This is the activity illustrated in the panel.

← Older revision		Revision as of 22:07, 8 August 2025
Line 93:		Line 93:
	[[Category:Language]]		[[Category:Language]]
	[[Category:Romance]]		[[Category:Romance]]
		+	[[Category:Taxes]]

@@ Line 10: / Line 10: @@
 ==Explanation==
-“[Name] and [name], sitting in a tree, K-I-S-S-I-N-G” (pronounced as the names of the letters, e.g. "kay eye ess ess eye en gee") is the start of a common US schoolyard taunt to tease others about their alleged romance. As the comic notes, the rhyme can use a range of normal seven-letter {{w|present participle}}s of verbs.
+“[Name] and [name], sitting in a tree, K-I-S-S-I-N-G” (pronounced as the names of the letters, e.g. "kay eye ess ess eye en gee") is the start of a common US schoolyard taunt to tease others about their alleged romance. As the comic notes, the rhyme can use a range of normal seven-letter {{w|present participle}}s of verbs. Like other schoolyard taunts, the goal may be to elicit a reaction of frustration, anger or embarrassment. It may also just be chanted at a random set of two kids, such as part of a {{w|counting-out game}}.
-Like other schoolyard taunts, the goal may be to elicit a reaction of frustration, anger or embarrassment. It may also just be chanted at a random set of two kids, such as part of a {{w|counting-out game}}.
+This comic lists a diverse group of eighteen seven-letter gerunds which Cueball and Megan could be accused of performing in a tree, and organizes them into three categories: Normal, Slightly Worrying and Very Alarming. Each list of gerunds has an illustration of its last one: kissing, ironing, and smiting, respectively.
 Normal:
@@ Line 89: / Line 87: @@
 [[Category:Comics featuring Jill]]
 [[Category:Comics featuring Hairy]]
-[[Category:Kids]]
+[[Category:Comics featuring children]]
 [[Category:Comics featuring Cueball]]
 [[Category:Comics featuring Megan]]

@@ Line 17: / Line 17: @@
 Normal:
-:'''{{w|Reading}}''' is an activity usually encouraged, which can be performed in a tree without any additional danger.
+*'''{{w|Reading}}''' is an activity usually encouraged, which can be performed in a tree without any additional danger.
-:'''{{w|Singing}}''' is similar to reading, in that it is a good thing (that does not become dangerous by doing it in a tree). However, [[Jill]] and [[Hairy]]'s chanting may disturb Cueball and Megan's singing, or the other way round.
+*'''{{w|Singing}}''' is similar to reading, in that it is a good thing (that does not become dangerous by doing it in a tree). However, [[Jill]] and [[Hairy]]'s chanting may disturb Cueball and Megan's singing, or the other way round.
-:'''{{w|Playing}}''' is what most children are doing when they climb trees.
+*'''{{w|Playing}}''' is what most children are doing when they climb trees.
-:'''{{w|Sharing}}''' is a good thing. Though it could potentially be hazardous in a tree, due to slightly increased risk of falling while trying to share, it is not a major concern.
+*'''{{w|Sharing}}''' is a good thing. Though it could potentially be hazardous in a tree, due to slightly increased risk of falling while trying to share, it is not a major concern.
-:'''{{w|Hugging}}''' is a physical sign of affection (romantic or otherwise), which doesn't change much due to the treetop locale.
+*'''{{w|Hugging}}''' is a physical sign of affection (romantic or otherwise), which doesn't change much due to the treetop locale.
-:'''{{w|Kissing}}''' is the activity illustrated in the panel.  It is the most normal thing to be sung in the song, as it is the traditional taunt.
+*'''{{w|Kissing}}''' is the activity illustrated in the panel.  It is the most normal thing to be sung in the song, as it is the traditional taunt.
 Slightly worrying:
-:'''{{w|Sobbing}}''' is an act of weeping heavily, e.g. due to a setback in one's relationship, or perhaps due to being stuck up a tree.
+*'''{{w|Sobbing}}''' is an act of weeping heavily, e.g. due to a setback in one's relationship, or perhaps due to being stuck up a tree.
-:'''{{w|Itching}}''' is feeling a sensation on one's skin that makes one want to scratch or rub it, and may happen due to mosquito bites or other bugs, or perhaps an allergic reaction to tree bark.
+*'''{{w|Itching}}''' is feeling a sensation on one's skin that makes one want to scratch or rub it, and may happen due to mosquito bites or other bugs, or perhaps an allergic reaction to tree bark.
-:'''{{w|Pruning}}''' is cutting off the branches of a tree, which is very dangerous if one is sitting on said branch.{{Citation needed}}
+*'''{{w|Pruning}}''' is cutting off the branches of a tree, which is very dangerous if one is sitting on said branch.{{Citation needed}}
-:'''{{w|Banking}}''' is conducting financial business with a bank, or if one works for the financial institution, conducting financial business with a customer cohort.  Most banks do not have branches in trees{{cn}} but with suitable equipment, online banking in a tree is quite possible if a little unusual.
+*'''{{w|Banking}}''' is conducting financial business with a bank, or if one works for the financial institution, conducting financial business with a customer cohort.  Most banks do not have branches in trees{{cn}} but with suitable equipment, online banking in a tree is quite possible if a little unusual.
-:'''{{w|Post#Communications|Posting}}''' is to publish posts on social media. An antiquated definition is to send {{w|mail}} using a postal service.  This may be worrying due to a perceived addiction to technology.
+*'''{{w|Post#Communications|Posting}}''' is to publish posts on social media. An antiquated definition is to send {{w|mail}} using a postal service.  This may be worrying due to a perceived addiction to technology.
-:'''{{w|Ironing}}''' is smoothing clothes with an iron and a flat surface, like an ironing board. This is the activity illustrated in the panel.  It should not be performed in a tree, due to safety concerns.
+*'''{{w|Ironing}}''' is smoothing clothes with an iron and a flat surface, like an ironing board. This is the activity illustrated in the panel.  It should not be performed in a tree, due to safety concerns.
 Very alarming:
-:'''{{w|Molting}}''' is shedding one's skin. Many insects molt in trees, such as cicadas, grasshoppers, and termites.  For humans to molt, something would have to be very wrong indeed.
+*'''{{w|Molting}}''' is shedding one's skin. Many insects molt in trees, such as cicadas, grasshoppers, and termites.  For humans to molt, something would have to be very wrong indeed.
-:'''{{w|Whaling}}''' is hunting whales, which has been outlawed in the US since the 1980s. Whales aren't usually found in trees.<sup>[''{{w|List of cetaceans|cetacean needed}}'']</sup> And since the letter 'W' is three syllables when sung aloud, this is the only gerund in the comic that doesn't have the standard seven syllables of the traditional taunt.
+*'''{{w|Whaling}}''' is hunting whales, which has been outlawed in the US since the 1980s. Whales aren't usually found in trees.<sup>[''{{w|List of cetaceans|cetacean needed}}'']</sup> And since the letter 'W' is three syllables when sung aloud, this is the only gerund in the comic that doesn't have the standard seven syllables of the traditional taunt.
-:'''{{w|E-filing}}''' is submitting one's tax returns online, common in the US. This comic was published a few days before the US tax deadline. E-filing could quite reasonably be done from a tree using a laptop or other portable computing device, but is not typically performed by schoolchildren. This may also be a reference to {{wiktionary|efilism}}, a philosophy that espouses total destruction of all life on Earth to minimize suffering.
+*'''{{w|E-filing}}''' is submitting one's tax returns online, common in the US. This comic was published a few days before the US tax deadline. E-filing could quite reasonably be done from a tree using a laptop or other portable computing device, but is not typically performed by schoolchildren. This may also be a reference to {{wiktionary|efilism}}, a philosophy that espouses total destruction of all life on Earth to minimize suffering.
-:'''{{w|Melting}}''' is turning from a solid state to a liquid state, which is usually fatal.{{Citation needed}}
+*'''{{w|Melting}}''' is turning from a solid state to a liquid state, which is usually fatal.{{Citation needed}}
-:'''{{w|Radiography|X-raying}}''' is using {{w|X-ray}} radiation to image someone or something for medical or security purposes, not normally conducted in trees. With enough radiation, the X-rays could be fatal.
+*'''{{w|Radiography|X-raying}}''' is using {{w|X-ray}} radiation to image someone or something for medical or security purposes, not normally conducted in trees. With enough radiation, the X-rays could be fatal.
-:'''{{wiktionary|smite#English|Smiting}}''' is striking down, destroying or killing, often with divine power called from a god. This is the activity illustrated in the panel.
+*'''{{wiktionary|smite#English|Smiting}}''' is striking down, destroying or killing, often with divine power called from a god. This is the activity illustrated in the panel.
 The title text continues the S-M-I-T-I-N-G version of the chant with a parody of the traditional {{w|Children's song#Game songs|next verses}}, "...first comes love, then comes marriage, then comes baby in a baby carriage" (which reflects the common social expectations that any kissers might follow the path of). Instead, the parody appears to be a dark prophecy about the grim ramifications of smiting directed by the tree-ensconced kids:

@@ Line 35: / Line 35: @@
 :'''{{w|Molting}}''' is shedding one's skin. Many insects molt in trees, such as cicadas, grasshoppers, and termites.  For humans to molt, something would have to be very wrong indeed.
 :'''{{w|Whaling}}''' is hunting whales, which has been outlawed in the US since the 1980s. Whales aren't usually found in trees.<sup>[''{{w|List of cetaceans|cetacean needed}}'']</sup> And since the letter 'W' is three syllables when sung aloud, this is the only gerund in the comic that doesn't have the standard seven syllables of the traditional taunt.
-:'''{{w|E-filing}}''' is submitting one's tax returns online, common in the US. This comic was published a few days before the US tax deadline. E-filing could quite reasonably be done from a tree using a laptop or other portable computing device, but is not typically performed by schoolchildren. This may also be a reference to [https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/efilism efilism], a philosophy that espouses total destruction of all life on Earth to minimize suffering.
+:'''{{w|E-filing}}''' is submitting one's tax returns online, common in the US. This comic was published a few days before the US tax deadline. E-filing could quite reasonably be done from a tree using a laptop or other portable computing device, but is not typically performed by schoolchildren. This may also be a reference to {{wiktionary|efilism}}, a philosophy that espouses total destruction of all life on Earth to minimize suffering.
 :'''{{w|Melting}}''' is turning from a solid state to a liquid state, which is usually fatal.{{Citation needed}}
 :'''{{w|Radiography|X-raying}}''' is using {{w|X-ray}} radiation to image someone or something for medical or security purposes, not normally conducted in trees. With enough radiation, the X-rays could be fatal.

@@ Line 78: / Line 78: @@
 :Very alarming
 :[Cueball and Megan, her hair being {{tvtropes|MadnessMakeover|uncharacteristically wild}}, sitting on a tree branch smiting with glowing hands, with two falling fireballs and fire below them. Cueball's hands are raised up, while Megan has her left hand up and her right hand pointing to her right.]
 :M-O-L-T-I-N-G
 :W-H-A-L-I-N-G