#131 - Also Poor
Wednesday, March 19th, 2008I’m not sure “prolific” is the right word here but I’m chancing on it. I get mixed definitions when I look in the dictionary.
Ok, thanks everyone for your input. I have changed it to affluent.
I’m not sure “prolific” is the right word here but I’m chancing on it. I get mixed definitions when I look in the dictionary.
Ok, thanks everyone for your input. I have changed it to affluent.
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March 19th, 2008 at 2:47 am
prolific generally means you do a lot of work, with a high output. Stephen King is a prolific writer. perhaps you were looking for “Promiscuous?” that means having several sexual partners or having above average sexual energy.
P.S. woo first comment
March 19th, 2008 at 2:53 am
I generally think of “highly productive” when I hear prolific, but my dictionary offered up a secondary definition of being highly fertile. Does Bjorn not look particularly fertile to Lennart?
March 19th, 2008 at 2:54 am
“i am also poor.” awww bjorn!
March 19th, 2008 at 2:57 am
If you’re referring to the size of his boy-parts, you should use “better-endowed.”
March 19th, 2008 at 2:59 am
I wanted a word to mean “important” and “wealthy” without directly saying that.
March 19th, 2008 at 3:01 am
You’re trying to make a joke that Anders is both more attractive and, “in his photos,” has a big penis, right?
How about: “He looks *much* more robust in his photos”?
Or: “He looks “much* more vigorous in his photos”?
Or even: “He looks much beefier in his photos”? That makes “Anders is thinner with a lot more hair” a correction — he’s not muscular — but the midwife means it another way, so he says, “That too…”
March 19th, 2008 at 3:03 am
Oh — important and wealthy? Sorry
How about “classier,” then?
March 19th, 2008 at 3:04 am
In other words, Anders looks less like a bum than Bjorn does.
March 19th, 2008 at 3:10 am
Perhaps you mean “prosperous.”
March 19th, 2008 at 3:12 am
Noah: No I don’t want Lennart to just flat out say “wealthier” either… Lennart is trying to be polite, but failing.
March 19th, 2008 at 3:14 am
Hahaha, as he’s rubbing tobacco(?) on his gums. Classy.
March 19th, 2008 at 3:17 am
I recommend “distinguished.” Similar right to “prolific,” but it actually means about what you wanted (proper, accomplished or respected…).
March 19th, 2008 at 3:18 am
Um, meant to say:
I recommend “distinguished.” Similar ring to “prolific,” but it actually means about what you wanted (proper, accomplished or respected…).
March 19th, 2008 at 3:20 am
You picked about the right word. There’s really nothing exactly what you’re looking for, and Distinguished is more like some old world guy on a horse playing the bugle while he goes fox hunting.
March 19th, 2008 at 3:24 am
Yeah I’m going to stick with prolific I think. It’s vague and I like that.
March 19th, 2008 at 3:29 am
Prolific doesn’t seem the right word at all.
Suggestions:
Well-to-do?
Upscale?
Stately?
Affluent?
Well-off?
Also… is that chewing tobacco? Eeewwwwww. I remember my uncle spitting some into an empty coke can and me toddling along and drinking some of it. EEeeeewwwwwwwww-uuuhh.
March 19th, 2008 at 3:44 am
Prolific is right for the context. well done. Vague, uncomfortable, awkward.
Perfect clever revenge from Lennart the Midwife.
March 19th, 2008 at 3:53 am
BJORN! He will get the mouth rot and I hope Lennart does not approve. Have you seen the photos of people who used chewing tobacco and grew hair on their tongues?! YOU WOULD HAVE MORE MONEY IF YOU DIDN’T USE TOBACCO, BJORN! I HAVE NO PITY HERE FOR YOU.
And, I think prolific fits well here.
Is Maria grumpy because of Anders only, or also because Bjorn is being utterly classless? Also, I assume this appointment was made in advance, or why would Anders’s name be listed…? Just throwing ideas out. I kind of want Anders to show up at the appointment and make the crazy dramas. Those wacky kids!
March 19th, 2008 at 3:55 am
what is Bjorn doing there? what’s in his hand? why is it for his mouth? is delicious?
March 19th, 2008 at 3:57 am
Stay classy, bjorn.
March 19th, 2008 at 3:57 am
Duke-Thane: Björn is snusing (Swedish snuff )
March 19th, 2008 at 4:11 am
At least he isn’t lighting one up in the office.
Now that would be classy ^_-
March 19th, 2008 at 4:14 am
It should be noted that swedish-style snus is a fair bit less harmful than US-style, (and hardly registers on the meters compared to smoking …).
Still a money drain, of course.
March 19th, 2008 at 4:21 am
yeah i think we all knew what you were talking about…
March 19th, 2008 at 4:26 am
I think “prolific” is confusing. I suggest “prestigious”?
March 19th, 2008 at 4:37 am
I think “affluent” is the word that I would choose. Prolific usually refers to some kind of output, whether it be work, writing, children, etc.
March 19th, 2008 at 4:41 am
I think Maria’s just being grumpy b/c she doesn’t want to talk about/explain the Anders-and-I-are-split thing to the midwife (or maybe anyone). She’s about as classless as Bjorn, so she may not even notice.. :/
March 19th, 2008 at 5:44 am
bjorn’s expressions cracked me up so much. i love the vacant, glossy-eyed stare in the 3d panel. i’m lolin’
March 19th, 2008 at 5:45 am
also, not sure why, but the fact that he said “i am also poor” instead of “i’m also poor” added to my amusement. not sure why, though.
March 19th, 2008 at 6:11 am
i’ve been reading these since the beginning and normally see no need to respond in the comments, but i have a strong disagreement with the word “prolific” being used here! i really don’t think its the right word. i didn’t understand the comic at all until i read rene’s explanation. of all the words suggested, i find “prestigious” also to be the best word found so far for what you’re looking for, rene. i think that could keep in the comment about character/appearance/class and also be a possible slight to his masculinity.
btw, thanks for your comic, i enjoy it and talk it over with my boyfriend. i’m in portland, OR, USA
March 19th, 2008 at 6:14 am
“prominent” would work too i think
March 19th, 2008 at 6:17 am
HOLD THE PHONE!!! If we’re going to be so picky about words we might as well make our own comics. Rene can use what ever word she wants!
March 19th, 2008 at 6:31 am
I think it’s important to remember, that charachters might not use the absolutely correct adjective. Especially in a semi touchy or akward situation.
I liked prolific there, I think it got the point across nicely - if not a perfect fit when comparing Anders and Bjorn definition wise.
-M
March 19th, 2008 at 6:44 am
‘Prolific’ is completely the wrong word; those of you confidently declaring otherwise have a weak and confusing grasp of the Language.
Rene, I think ‘affluent’ is your best option here. It has the right meaning, but isn’t too strong; too direct. You could probably drop the “a lot” from the dialogue, though.
Just a suggestion, though! Don’t mind me!
March 19th, 2008 at 6:44 am
I love how maria is dressed so motherly. She is dreased like my mom. =)
PS: I still hate Björn.
March 19th, 2008 at 6:48 am
You just caused about 100 people to rampage around their homes looking for a thesaurus they’ve never used. Your contribution to increased literacy is … *insert adjective here*.
March 19th, 2008 at 6:48 am
I just noticed that Björn was holding the Swedish snuff on the comic where they meet the midwife 2 comics back! Nice attention to detail!
March 19th, 2008 at 6:48 am
Patrick: Very true. Affluent without the “a lot” gets what I want across perfectly. I’ll change that tomorrow.
March 19th, 2008 at 6:48 am
Craig: She expressed dissatisfaction with the word. People are offering help and suggestions. If she hadn’t opened herself to it, it never would have happened. So don’t go into ‘Defending Rene’ mode unecessarily. That’s silly.
March 19th, 2008 at 6:50 am
hahaha i spewed tea through my nose at bjorns last line. hehehehe!!
March 19th, 2008 at 6:51 am
lol, until I read the comments I thought that Bjorn was picking his nose! Although neither one is exactly classy anyway.
March 19th, 2008 at 6:59 am
i think i’m outvoted but i like prolific. it made me think he was referring to Anders’ nude photographs. (like he looked at Bjorn and thought, “he can’t possibly have…”) wow, this was an inappropriate comment.
March 19th, 2008 at 7:08 am
I really think distinguished is the right word here. The kind of thing someone would say while trying to be tactful. Maybe classier. Affluent means “wealthy” in a nice way, but it doesn’t imply it, it says it.
March 19th, 2008 at 7:13 am
I’m almost as amused at these comments as I am by the actual comic. Rene, your fans are so passionate it gets funny sometimes. That’s definitely a good thing
March 19th, 2008 at 7:29 am
Sooo much confusion! At first I was thinking that this was a part of the flash-back to when Maria and Bjorn originally dated and I was all like, but she didn’t know Anders back then! (I had made this mistake a couple comics ago and didn’t realize it
) But then I remembered that she was preggers before the fight and it made sense!
As for prolific, I guess it’s not the best word choice, although, there definitely wouldn’t have been such an outcry if you hadn’t expressed discontent with it. Personally, I don’t like affluent either. It sounds wrong and really only encompasses the wealthy part of what you want. I suggest “classy” or “refined” as Bjorn is definitely lacking in the class and refinement categories. And they have connotations that also bring up wealth and social stature (the root of classy is class)
March 19th, 2008 at 7:30 am
Also, thanks so much for adding me on facebook!
March 19th, 2008 at 7:40 am
one of the words, ‘flush’, ‘loaded’, ‘imposing’ or ’substantial’ might also be good if you intend to make a double entendre.
March 19th, 2008 at 9:09 am
Bahahaha at Bjorn and also at the first comment up there!
I am with Craig, and I didnt think prolific was confusing sounding at all. It sounds appropriate, as he is obviously looking for a word to use off the top of his head without sounding like an asshole.
March 19th, 2008 at 9:36 am
This has been bugging me for a while now, the fact that Bjorn looked somehow familiar.
Just found out who he reminded me of:
http://tinyurl.com/3cz4nj
March 19th, 2008 at 10:13 am
Definitely agree with the planned change to the dialogue. And, Bjorn’s being an ass, for sure, but I like him WAY better present-day than I did during the flashback, haha.
Also, fnord: BAHAHAHAHA! Oh my God! That’s never going to leave my head, and it makes Bjorn even more entertaining.
March 19th, 2008 at 12:27 pm
fnord: Here’s my formula:
March 19th, 2008 at 12:45 pm
YES! I knew it.
Now if I could only convince this professor of one of my classes that he’s Michael Caine’s long lost twin brother…
March 19th, 2008 at 12:47 pm
AW Bjorn. ;;
(Oh my goodness, Moominbjorn! X3 I can kind of see that and it’s adorable.)
March 19th, 2008 at 1:02 pm
http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e258/antherios/MoominBjorn.png
Aaaaand, a quick doodle of the thought. XD
March 19th, 2008 at 1:06 pm
Awww Keaton! I LOVE it!
March 19th, 2008 at 1:48 pm
I didn’t understand what prolific was supposed to mean in this context until I read the comments. I’d agree that affluent is better. Not only does it cover the actual meening better, it is also a word that someone with an academic backround like Lennart would know, while Björn probably wouldn’t have an idea …
Also, I’ve somehow missed that Anders last name is Silversked. Some folks are born, silver spoon in hand …
And: “snus” is probably bad for you, but at least it’s only bad for the user (and anyone stupid or desperate enough to kiss the user), while smoking is bad for everyone around.
March 19th, 2008 at 1:51 pm
distinguished or classy would work well - affluent means wealthy and is not subtle at all…i’m sorry to say but ‘prolific’ is totally incorrect here. it gives the impression that the speaker has a poor grasp of language…the most common meaning of ‘prolific’ is listed on the side of this page: http://www.onelook.com/?w=prolific&ls=a - might i recommend onelook as the best dictionary search on the entire internet - BAR NONE? it lists all the other dictionaries listings, but it offers a quick definition and examples on the same page.
ex. Rene Engström’s prolific comic creations are not only well drawn, but well written.
March 19th, 2008 at 1:52 pm
oh! and the woody harrelson connection is hilarious! but not too flattering for dear woody, who is a great guy and a marijuana legalization activist!
March 19th, 2008 at 4:25 pm
Actually Michelle you will find that it is Rene who is prolific, and not her creations.
*doffs hat*
March 19th, 2008 at 5:37 pm
Just a thought regarding what the spelling bee finalists and part time M-W editors said in this thread: accurate language is great and everything, but while reading some of your corrections I could only think of that classic line in Vice magazine about the ‘personification of The New York Times’.
http://www.viceland.com/nl/dd.php?id=304 , in case you’re interested.
March 19th, 2008 at 6:11 pm
I think affluent fits better here. Prolific made it sound like he thought Anders was making lots of babies everywhere (although he might as well be right now, the jerk). Affluent gives the impression of Anders being rich (which he and his mother were known locally to be) but not necessarily classy about it (referring to Anders’ naked pic in the hospital window, which people didn’t realize was an accident). I love words.
March 19th, 2008 at 6:52 pm
Um, could she be upset because some *guy* is gonna be feelin’ her up and Bjorn, being the class act we’ve all come to know and love, pointed it out point-blank and then laughed at her?!
I’ve laughed so hard the last couple of days it’s hurt!
Hope your baby and your boyfriend are doing better!
March 20th, 2008 at 6:55 am
I love how Bjorn is perpetually sporting the belly shirt.
March 21st, 2008 at 6:54 am
I’m afraid that from now on my entire life will become a search of the perfect moment and conversational context to say “I am also poor!”
It’s just- it’s just super.
April 1st, 2008 at 11:35 pm
Well, I’m coming in this a bit too late, but I think affluent is too direct. I read that and I thought “wow the Swedes are really money concious… No one would come and just say that here”.
I would suggest “dignified”. It’s a particularly apt word to come after the belly + tobacco scene, and the jokes about the male midwife.
Glen