Self-refuting lyrics?

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OK, what about "Rudolf the Red-Nosed Reindeer"?

In the first few lines, we are told that we know the names of all the "traditional" reindeer. (The tradition does not stretch back all that far, but never mind that.)

Then we are asked, "But do you recall / the most famous reindeer of all?"

Now, wait just a second. I can see where we could recall the names of many reindeer, but forget the name of "the most important reindeer of all," or "the most noble reindeer of all," or something like that.

But isn't the phrase "the most famous reindeer of all" pretty much equivalent to "the most recalled reindeer of all"? So, if it is a given that everyone knows the names of all those other reindeer, but doubtful that they know Rudolf's, isn't that pretty good evidence that he is not "the most famous reindeer of all"?

I just wanted to get that off my chest, so I can get back to exploring the commonality among social cycle theories.

Comments

  1. Bobybuilder12:12 AM

    You know Hemingway, Faulkner, Fitzgerald, and Dreiser,
    But do you recall the most famous twenties writer of all?

    Because I bet you don't. The Steven King or Tom Clancy of the time, but not so famous now. And Rudolph being unjustly forgotten but now remembered by you, the child audience, fits the tale nicely I think.

    Probably Zane Grey, but maybe Lewis.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. gcallah12:24 AM

      Yes, possibly it says "Rudolph was famous then, but now forgotten"... except there was no "then" when Rudolph was famous. He was only invented with the song!

      Delete
  2. Anonymous6:26 PM

    Gene,

    There's no contradiction, it's just a question with an obvious answer.

    ReplyDelete

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