Random reminder
MERETRICIOUS SERVICE
“Meretricious” means not quite nice, but it comes from an excellent Latin word ‘merere’ meaning to earn money, and there is nothing wrong with that. The Wellington Public Library ordered a 9 x 2 banner from a Wellington artist. The artist wasn’t reaDy a signpainter, but after all it was the library’s centenary, and the artist has this sentimental weakness for food and clothing, so the job got accepted and the job got done. Could the artist have some money? What the artist got was the message that the library wasn’t paying. The banner was longer than the longest hallway and higher than the highest
librarian. It seemed big enough to be a winding sheet for the library and shrouds for its staff, it was unmanageable in any sort of a breeze, and they didn’t have storage space for it even if they found a reason to keep it. Would the artist come and take it away, chop chop. I don’t really think so, said the artist, and supplied a Xerox of the order form. 9x2 was what they ordered, and 9x2 was what they got “I meant FEET,” sobbed the Deputy Chief Assistant Administrator. “Oh,” said those over 40. “What?” said those under 40. Moral: Don’t trip over your own 2 feet.
Permanent link to this item
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https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/CHP19860211.2.87
Bibliographic details
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Press, 11 February 1986, Page 14
Word count
Tapeke kupu
217Random reminder Press, 11 February 1986, Page 14
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Acknowledgements
Ngā mihi
This newspaper was digitised in partnership with Christchurch City Libraries.
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