Editing 398: Tap That Ass

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==Explanation==
 
==Explanation==
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In this comic, Cueball either accidentally or purposefully exploits the double meanings of "tap." The phrase "tap that ass" is a colloquialism for "to have intercourse with that person" and is most likely how the reader expects the phrase to be used. However, throughout the comic, Cueball uses the phrase ambiguously.
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This comic uses verbal irony to exploit the application of double meanings. The phrase "tap that ass" is a colloquialism for "to have intercourse with that person" and is most likely how the reader expects the phrase to be used. However, throughout the comic, this is not the case.
  
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In the first panel, it is possible that [[Cueball]] is using "tap that ass" sexually. However, it is more likely that he is using "tap" to mean "pick" or "choose," in which case he would be the one choosing the next committee chair. "That ass" refers to one of the individuals in the meeting room to be picked for the position.
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In the first panel, it is possible that [[Cueball]] is using "tap that ass" sexually. However, it is more likely that he is using "tap" to mean "pick" or "choose", in which case he would be willing to be chosen to be the committee chair. "That ass" refers to one of the individuals in the meeting room to exchange positions with.
  
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In the second panel, "tap" is referring to wiretapping. The Cueball character with the headphones on has just unplugged his headphone. This suggests that he and his colleague at the phone were just done with the wiretapping. In this scenario, it is strange that the colleague is still on the phone instead of hanging up. However, it would be much stranger to wiretap someone in plain eyesight, unless that person is blind. "Ass" likely refers to the person they have just wiretapped. Cueball says he'd tap that ass "without a warrant," suggesting that they had one in this situation.
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In the second panel, "tap" is referring to wiretapping. It is possible that it is being referenced in a sexual manner, but makes much less sense that the wiretapping explanation. "That ass" refers to the person on the telephone.
  
 
In the third panel, "tap" is referring to extracting sap from trees. A sexual connotation would make no sense in this context. "That ass" refers to the maple tree.
 
In the third panel, "tap" is referring to extracting sap from trees. A sexual connotation would make no sense in this context. "That ass" refers to the maple tree.
  
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The final panel reveals that Cueball was purposefully implying the sexual meaning of "tap that ass" all along, even though he framed it in a non-sexual context. He reaffirms his previous statement from the third panel by turning toward the direction of the third panel (thus implicitly breaking the fourth wall) and asserting "I'd have sex with that tree." "That tree" refers to the tree from the previous panel.
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In the final panel, [[Cueball]] attempts to take the scenario from the third frame and interpret it sexually, showing how absurd it would be to assume "tap that ass" always refers to having intercourse.
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Alternatively, Cueball may have finally realized that he indeed wanted to have sex, but instead of using the euphemism "tap that ass," he says it literally.
 
  
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The title text features a request from Cueball from the last panel to Cueball from the third panel. He asks Cueball not to plug up the hole left behind from tapping the tree, so he can have sex with it.
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[[Cueball]] is not the same individual throughout the frames of this particular comic.
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In [[xkcd: volume 0]], below the comic is a bonus comic, replete with horrible puns:
 
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[[File:398 bonus comic.jpeg|500px|center]]
 
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("Wood" also meaning "erection" and "son of a {{w|beech}}" sounding like "son of a bitch".)
 
  
 
==Transcript==
 
==Transcript==
 
:[Cueball in a hallway looking in on a board meeting.]
 
:[Cueball in a hallway looking in on a board meeting.]
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:Cueball: I'd tap that ass to be the new committee chair.
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:Cueball: I'd tap that ass
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:Cueball: To be the new committee chair.
 
:[Cueball wearing headphones with a briefcase and a laptop. Another man on a telephone.]
 
:[Cueball wearing headphones with a briefcase and a laptop. Another man on a telephone.]
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:Cueball: I'd tap that ass without a warrant.
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:Cueball: I'd tap that ass
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:Cueball: Without a warrant.
 
:[Cueball with his hand on his chin, looking at a tree.]
 
:[Cueball with his hand on his chin, looking at a tree.]
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:Cueball: I'd tap that ass and extract delicious maple syrup.
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:Cueball: I'd tap that ass
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:Cueball: And extract delicious maple syrup.
 
:[Cueball standing in a blank frame.]
 
:[Cueball standing in a blank frame.]
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:Cueball: I'd have sex with that tree.
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:Cueball: I'd have sex
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:Cueball: With that tree.
  
 
{{comic discussion}}
 
{{comic discussion}}
 
[[Category:Comics featuring Cueball]]
 
[[Category:Comics featuring Cueball]]
 
[[Category:Language]]
 
[[Category:Language]]
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[[Category:Sex]]
 

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