Things That Make Me Laugh

Discussion in 'The Village Square' started by Henry Johnson, Jan 21, 2015.

  1. Henry Johnson

    Henry Johnson In Flower

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    Things that make me laugh:
    I was reading today in a book of short stories by James Lee Burke and came across a phrase that kind of tilted my tickle-box..
    His story involved some 'wannabe' musicians in the 1950s era. The sentence that caused me to chuckle was,
    " . . . . . . we were blowing down the road in Eddy Ray's '49 Hudson, headed toward our next gig, a town up in Arkansas that was so small it was located between two Burma Shave signs."
    I reckon you would need to have been around long enough to remember the Burma Shave signs along the highways to appreciate the town size reference..
    Love to all, Hank..
     
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  3. marlingardener

    marlingardener Happy

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    Oh, lordy Hank, I remember taking a road trip with my parents--I must have been about five or six--and looking for the Burma Shave signs along the roadside.
    The town I lived in was so small we didn't have any Burma Shave signs on entering and leaving. In fact, the "Welcome to ...." was on the sign, and "Now leaving ...." was immediately below.
     
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  4. Jewell

    Jewell Incorrigible Gardener Plants Contributor

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    Those Burma Shave signs were godsends on those long drives through Wyoming to see grandparents.
     
  5. Cayuga Morning

    Cayuga Morning Strong Ash Plants Contributor

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    They were godsends to my brothers & me as kids on the l-o-n-g drive from NJ to western NY state when we were heading to the family farm.

    I saw evidence of a rotted Burma Shave sign a few years back....on that way to the family farm, course! I couldn't believe it.
     



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  6. eileen

    eileen Resident Taxonomist Staff Member Moderator Plants Contributor

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    :shrug: I haven't a clue what a Burma Shave sign is coming from Scotland. :(
     
  7. Donna S

    Donna S Hardy Maple

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    I remember them well. They became a game when riding somewhere.
     
  8. Capt Kirk

    Capt Kirk Thank a Veteran today!

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    There used to be a village in Virginia on the Eastern Shore called Pinero. The Post Office was the size of an outhouse. The sign post was a 4"X4" post on one side the sign said " Pinero" and on the other side of the post, the sign said " Pinero ". Don't know if that village is still there or not.
     
  9. marlingardener

    marlingardener Happy

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    Eileen, there was a brand of shaving cream called "Burma Shave" and the company posted signs along roadways, usually three or four signs, each with part of a saying on it. Here's one:

    His cheek
    Was rough

    His chick vamoosed

    And now she won't
    Come home to roost

    Burma-Shave

    I didn't say they were great poetry. :rolleyes:
     
  10. Ronni

    Ronni Hardy Maple

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    Had to google that, me being an Aussie and all. :D

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]
     
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  11. Henry Johnson

    Henry Johnson In Flower

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    Eileen, 'google' or 'wiki' [Burma Shave Signs] to learn more than you ever wanted to know about them.. Chuckle.
    Hank
     
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  12. Cayuga Morning

    Cayuga Morning Strong Ash Plants Contributor

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    What I remember being fun about them was the anticipation between signs.

    Just think about this: here we are, 50 years later talking about Burma Shave signs. They occupy a small place in my childhood memories, which I think might be typical. They have become a cultural icon of a certain time in American history: post-WWII, most families had cars, we had a highway system that was well developed, families took road trips for vacation, etc. I wonder if these signs were as successful then as a marketing vehicle as they have become as a cultural icon.
     
  13. koszta kid

    koszta kid Young Pine

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    Makes me think of the Good old days.
     
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  14. koszta kid

    koszta kid Young Pine

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    On curves
    Remember Sonny
    The rabbit foot
    Did not Save
    The Bunny
    Burma--Shave
     
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