I used the expression “Eccles’ third boot” in the previous post, and just realised that only close readers of this blog would realise what I meant (I have used the expression in the combox before).
It is a fine thing to speak of “waiting for the other boot to fall” if you are waiting for the completion of a pair of things, but what if you are waiting for the completion of a trio – or more? That’s where the law of “Eccles’ third boot” comes in. The reference is, of course, to a Goon Show script, and here it is:
GRAMS:
Loud dull thuds, continue under following conversation:
MINNIE:
Ohhhhhhhheeoh. What, what’s that? What’s that? Ohhh.
HENRY:
It’s all right Min, it’s just those noisy people in the tent upstairs. (calls) Who’s that walking about upstairs?
ECCLES:
(off) I’m the famous Eccles! I got friends in.
HENRY:
He’s the famous Eccles and he’s got friends in, Min. (calls) Do you mind taking those noisy boots off?
ECCLES:
(off) OK.
FX:
Two thuds.
MINNIE:
Ahh, that’s better.
FX:
Thud
MINNIE:
Ohh, I didn’t know he had three legs, Henry.
HENRY:
He hasn’t, Min, he hasn’t, he has a one legged friend. Goodnight Min.
MINNIE:
Goodnight, buddy.
FX:
Thud.
MINNIE and HENRY:
Ohh!
HENRY:
He’s got two one legged friends!
FX:
Thud.
MINNIE:
That, or one three legged friend, Henry.
HENRY:
Yes. Well goodnight Min.
MINNIE:
Goodnight, little mmnnnn naughty Henry. Goodnight little Henry! … Goodnight.
What time is it, Eccles?
Err, just a minute. I, I’ve got it written down ‘ere on a piece of paper. A nice man wrote the time down for me this morning.