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From: ix900@sdccs6.UUCP
Newsgroups: net.jokes.d
Subject: Re: ORIGINS OF TERM "SHAGGY DOG STORY"?
Message-ID: <1336@sdccs6.UUCP>
Date: Mon, 9-Apr-84 17:17:44 EST
Article-I.D.: sdccs6.1336
Posted: Mon Apr  9 17:17:44 1984
Date-Received: Wed, 11-Apr-84 07:17:58 EST
References: <221@afinitc.UUCP>
Organization: U.C. San Diego, Computer Center
Lines: 20

The last word on the "shaggy dog" story is surely to be found in:

   Eric Partridge. "The 'Shaggy Dog' Story: Its Origin,
     Development and Nature (with a few seemly examples).
     Freeport, N.Y.: Books for Libraries Press, 1970 
     [reprint of original 1953 edition].

Combining learning and a sense of humor, Partridge presents the history
of the genre and prints a version of the "original" shaggy dog story.
(Yes, the famous "not *that* shaggy" story became widespread around 1942
or '43.)

Eric Partridge was (is?) a well-known lexicographer and philologist who
is famous for, among other things, a study of "Shakespeare's Bawdy."

Moral: Ask a silly question & get a bibliographical reference!

			David Sewell
			University of California, San Diego
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