Where are all the female gnomes? |
Guardian Weekly notes and queries This article is more than 8 years oldWhere are all the female gnomes?
This article is more than 8 years oldThe meaning of iconic; gnomes and gender balance; the slug and lettuceCan somebody please define the adjective ‘iconic’?
Iconic comes from the Greek, eikonikos, and relates to the nature of an icon, portrait or image. It is now used more generally to indicate a famous person or artefact or practice considered to represent particular opinions or times. As a jazz singer, Ella Fitzgerald is iconic.
Ursula Nixon, Bodalla, NSW, Australia
Iconic strictly speaking refers to a static style of devotional image, as in the Eastern Orthodox church. It is now commonly used by journalists to describe something they do not understand, and by fashion houses to pump up their products. In this sense, it is meaningless.
Ted Webber, Buderim, Queensland, Australia
Yes, with another overused adjective: “awesome”.
David Tucker, Halle, Germany
One of those antique Russian lacquer pictures of the Virgin that hangs on a wall.
John Ralston, Mountain View, California, US
They guard our postboxes
Are garden gnomes always male?
Yes! What female is going to sit for ever on a toadstool, or stand by a pool “fishing” in a pool without fish?
Philip Stigger, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada
Yes, because they guard the postboxes.
Jennifer Horat, Lengwil, Switzerland
There is a movie Gnomeo and Juliet, so there are female gnomes lurking in the shrubbery.
Larry Fotheringham, Chatham, Ontario, Canada
Let’s hope so. It is almost unbearable to think of them reproducing.
David Isaacs, Sydney, Australia
The gnomes are but you should check out the gnomesses!
Pat Phillips, Adelaide, South Australia
Slugs think it is wonderful
Is lettuce a waste of space?
Not if it can pull a rabbit out of a hat.
Richard Orlando, Westmount, Quebec, Canada
Beatrix Potter’s Peter Rabbit and the slugs in my vegetable garden don’t think so.
Deborah Gruenwaldt, Renshausen, Germany
Not in a Martian biosphere.
Richard Marson, Sutton, NSW, Australia
Lettuce is an unassuming carrier. A local restaurant offers the option of their fancy burgers on a stack of lettuce leaves instead of a bun. I order the fries with a clear conscience.
Margaret Wyeth, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
The old thrills are the best
At what point does the thrill of the new replace the comfort of the old?
This cannot possibly happen in my world. It takes a lot to unwrap my fingers from the grip of: my grandmother’s wooden spoons, the sweater knitted by my mum, the Christmas tree ornaments I grew up with, the letter opener given to me by a now long-dead friend. Though some things do in the course of time need replacing, I do it with a heavy heart. I guess I should just be thrilled I have these items in my life.
Doreen Forney, Pownal, Vermont, US
Shortly before the acrimonious divorce.
David Ross, Thoiry, France
Any answers?
Is there a reason for everything?
Andrew Sheeran, Lennoxville, Quebec, Canada
Which of the major world powers is the most delusional?
Terence Rowell, Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, Canada
Send answers to weekly.nandq@theguardian.com or Guardian Weekly, Kings Place, 90 York Way, London N1 9GU, UK
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