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English is my second language, but couldn't this just mean that the sailors inhale and exhale the air first, before it reaches the quarter deck? It talks about
by scandinavegan 8y ago
English is my second language, but couldn't this just mean that the sailors inhale and exhale the air first, before it reaches the quarter deck? It talks about "breathing it first", but you don't fart out air you've breathed in, it's gas from the digestive system.
- ztjio 8y agoAnd once again, Moby Dick is proven to be a disappointment.
- DFHippie 8y agoThat's most of it, but note the mention of the "Pythagorean maxim". The fart joke is an aside, not the main thrust of the passage.
- scandinavegan 8y agoAh, I see. Thanks!
- PhasmaFelis 8y agoWhat's the "Pythagorean maxim"?
- meko 8y agoDon't eat beans
- meko 8y ago> head winds are far more prevalent than winds from astern (that is, if you never violate the Pythagorean maxim) Translation: Winds from the front are more common than winds from behind (that is, if you don't eat beans)