There are multiple theories regarding Don McLeod’s (C8) search for the meaning of “Let your father see the rabbit” which his dad would utter to get next to the fire. All, however, replace “father” with “dog”. The first comes from the track and the wise words of Peter Krinks of Waverton who recalls that “My father would say, ‘Let the dog see the rabbit’, when something was obscured. The phrase derived from visits to the track in Walthamstow.”
David FitzSimons of Clareville takes a shot: “Don’s father may have modified a hunting saying that my father used on the farm: ‘Stand back, and let the dog see the rabbit’ was an instruction to us children looking on, to get out of his way so that he could do a difficult or dangerous job.”
“Don’t know about rabbits,” says June Irwin of Willoughby. “But at boarding school in Orange during the war, Saturday night entertainment was sitting around an open fire in the lounge (headmistress centre front), describing the different pictures we could see in the embers. Amazing what the eye can see.”
“I agree with Colin Campbell (C8) that we introduce the summer luge at Brisbane 2032,” says Bob Doepel of Greenway (ACT). “But in the spirit of the original Olympics, and in line with a suggestion from Roy and HG, it should be called the nude luge.”
Frank Canu of Lyons (ACT) notes that the event of Bob Hope dropping in on Laurieton (C8) occurred a few days before another profound moment: “Hope for Laurieton and Liberté for Paris 80 years ago: August 19 to 25 1944, the City of Light freed from Nazi occupation. Good reason to celebrate the egalité and fraternité in this year’s Olympics and Paralympics.”
“Having lived in Laurieton for 18 years, I can confirm that a small basin near the mouth of the Camden Haven River is proudly referred to by locals as Lake Hope,” writes Meri Will of Baulkham Hills. “Though shallow and silted, it is held in high esteem by many who consider its brush with Bob to be the area’s claim to fame.”
Helen Howes of Collaroy reassures Steve Hulbert (C8) that “the longer soap is stored, the harder it becomes and it will last longer. No more jelly-like mess on the bathroom basin.”
“Soap with a use-by date? Wouldn’t have a bar of it,” We thank Jim Dewar of Davistown.
Column8@smh.com.au
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