Worn out by results insufficient
From my use of techniques inefficient,
I sought two weeks off,
But my chairman just scoffed,
“I swear, haven’t you done enough fishing?”
—Pumptilian Perniquity
Jean Berko Gleason,
Had a very good reason,
To ask children first learning words,
For the plural inflection of small blue flightless birds.
—Clara Hu
Writing poetry; though I persist,
Yet the scansions my efforts resist.
Now a resource I’ve found—
Timing units abound!—
I’m a phonXXoloXgist.
—Morris Swadesh III
Philologists & Linguists
“Philologist” often evokes
The image of crusty old blokes
Seeking out lore
On the language of yore
From sources as old as these jokes.
Whereas if you’re a “linguist”, that’s cool
(You’re no crusty philologo-fool):
You drive a Ferrari,
Take breaks in Hawaii
And probably have your own pool.
But certain philologists seem
Like Grimm or Tolkien to find fame.
Their stories were earners,
But a book by, say, Verner’s
Unread; its grey pages, unseen.
—Pete & Deak
