Eccles’ “Third Boot”

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.

About Schütz

I am a PhD candidate & sessional academic at Australian Catholic University in Melbourne, Australia. After almost 10 years in ministry as a Lutheran pastor, I was received into the Catholic Church in 2003. I worked for the Archdiocese of Melbourne for 18 years in Ecumenism and Interfaith Relations. I have been editor of Gesher for the Council of Christians & Jews and am guest editor of the historical journal “Footprints”. I have a passion for pilgrimage and pioneered the MacKillop Woods Way.
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2 Responses to Eccles’ “Third Boot”

  1. Peregrinus says:

    What time is it, Eccles?

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