Wednesday, January 17, 2018

Et in Arcadia Ego

There's a noble painting by Nicholas Poussin thus entitled that involves two shepherds and a goddess contemplating a tomb with that inscription. The meaning is straightforward: even in Arcadia, where the natives were said to be happy, there is the presence of death.

 Back in 2001, students of Beaver College in Pennsylvania were treated to a surprise: the college changed its name to Arcadia University. Perhaps the re-namers wished to evoke that blessed region of Greece in the name change.

 But why?

 Juliet observed, "What's in a name?" Well, the old name for Beaver College was too often ridiculed through derogatory remarks pertaining to the rodent, the TV show Leave It to Beaver, or a vulgar reference to the female anatomy.

 !950's punch line: "Ward, you were rough on the Beaver last night."

 So, effectively, did the college undergo a Brazilian waxing as well as assuming university status?



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7 comments:

  1. John A HillJanuary 17, 2018 at 11:13 AM

    Thanks for the morning chuckle, Angel!
    I hope you have a grand day.

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  2. JulietteJanuary 17, 2018 at 12:10 PM

    Changing the name was a smart move.

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  3. JonoJanuary 17, 2018 at 1:33 PM

    Shaved or furry, beavers are always delightful.
    I wasn't aware until now that Beaver College changed its name. Guess I've been out of school too long.

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  4. MikeJanuary 17, 2018 at 1:41 PM

    Did Ward apologize by giving the beaver a kiss?

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  5. Atomic DogJanuary 23, 2018 at 9:22 AM

    Ouch! Why would a woman shave her beaver?

    ReplyDelete
  6. Blue GrumpsterJanuary 25, 2018 at 2:56 PM

    Superior writing. Love it.

    Blue

    ReplyDelete
  7. BilboFebruary 4, 2018 at 6:03 AM

    One of the cleverest bits of graffiti I ever saw was on the campus of my alma mater, Penn State University, where the women's athletic center was The Mary Beaver White Building. One night, someone put quotes on the name so that it read The Mary 'Beaver' White Building.

    ReplyDelete