We are developing the social individualist meta-context for the future. From the very serious to the extremely frivolous... lets see what is on the mind of the Samizdata people.

Samizdata, derived from Samizdat /n. - a system of clandestine publication of banned literature in the USSR [Russ.,= self-publishing house]

Samizdata quote of the day

“On sighting an elephant Selous would instantly remove his trousers as he found it easier to pursue them in his underpants.”

As one does.

The quote is from Tom Quinn, Shooting’s Strangest Days.

8 comments to Samizdata quote of the day

  • Shadow Hunter

    I once shot an elephant in my pajamas. How he got in my pajamas I’ll never know.

    Groucho Marx

  • I wonder if this state of predatory undress was specie specific to elephants or would he remove his trousers to hunt lions, for example? I imagine, although I cannot explain why, that hunting carnivores in one’s underwear would be a much more dangerous proposition that slaying a relatively inoffensive herbivore like an elephant,

  • Verity

    akaky – “I imagine … that hunting carnivores in one’s underwear would be a much more dangerous proposition that slaying a relatively inoffensive herbivore like an elephant,”

    Again, how would the carnivores have got into one’s underwear? And would one have vacated it first?

  • dearieme

    Perhaps the elephants were calmed by a view of his trunk? Well, they’d assume it was a trunk.

  • Midwesterner

    Perhaps doffing his trousers before his big adventure avoided the need to have them cleaned later.

  • a relatively inoffensive herbivore like an elephant,

    Elephants may be herbivores, but they can be notably belligerent. And a peeved elephant is extremely dangerous.

  • Sark

    And a peeved elephant is extremely dangerous.

    Particularly if he is in your underpants! The moral of the story is that is you find an elephant in your underpants, be extremely nice to him so that he does not become peeved.