It was Christmas. It was merry.

December 20, 2004 8:19 AM

If Hemingway wrote A Visit from St. Nick. By Thurber, published all the way back in 1927.
posted by CunningLinguist (19 comments total)

“Is Saint Nicholas asleep?” asked the children.
....
“What the hell would he be asleep tonight for?” I asked.

That was great, thanks.
posted by driveler at 8:25 AM on December 20, 2004

“Some guy,” I said. “A little guy.”

Very nice post. And what fond memories Thurber brings back. But these kids today . . . does anyone (except Michael Palin) even remember the earnest young Hemingway of 1927?
posted by LeLiLo at 8:28 AM on December 20, 2004

“What do you want?” I asked.
“We have visions of sugarplums,” the children said.

Awesome.
posted by Wolfdog at 8:30 AM on December 20, 2004

Hemingway, was the master of the terse sentence. Thurber nailed that. Great post, thanks.
posted by Crackerbelly at 8:34 AM on December 20, 2004

"... You can’t see him unless you’re unconscious."

Gold.
posted by uncleozzy at 8:36 AM on December 20, 2004

Hmmmm. What if Hemmingway wrote code?
posted by weston at 8:59 AM on December 20, 2004

This is great. Thanks for sharing.
posted by pmurray63 at 9:00 AM on December 20, 2004

Hemingway:

Why did the chicken cross the road?

To Die. In the rain.

Sorry, i had to.
posted by muddylemon at 9:20 AM on December 20, 2004

I love Thurber yet I'd never seen this before. Thanks a lot, CunningLinguist.
posted by melissa may at 9:33 AM on December 20, 2004

I love it!

Hmmmm. What if Hemmingway wrote code?
posted by weston at 8:59 AM PST on December 20

use strict;
posted by nofundy at 10:27 AM on December 20, 2004

Thanks, CunningLinguist. A great read.

"What do you mean, they fly?" asked mamma.

"Just fly is all."

Mamma turned away toward the wall. She didn’t say anything.

Perfect mix of Hemingway and, yes, Thurber themes.
posted by soyjoy at 10:35 AM on December 20, 2004

Delightful!
posted by Specklet at 10:52 AM on December 20, 2004

Wondrous.
posted by mkhall at 11:39 AM on December 20, 2004

+1 Shimmeringly amusing.
posted by freebird at 11:43 AM on December 20, 2004

a classic
posted by pyramid termite at 12:53 PM on December 20, 2004

Interesting exercise.
posted by bshock at 1:06 PM on December 20, 2004

He clicked on the link. He didn't have any special feeling about it, it was just another link, but the name Thurber meant something to him. The link took him to a story, and he read it. It was a good story. [That's a good story], he said. [Damned good].

He ordered another Cuba libre and lit a cigar.
posted by languagehat at 1:18 PM on December 20, 2004

That was satisfying.
posted by exlotuseater at 3:21 PM on December 20, 2004

Great link. Thanks.
posted by chunking express at 6:35 PM on December 20, 2004