Oh secret fluxus, You certainly set yourselves up for a bitter time of it. The barb was intended for you not the venerable Mr. Higgins. I was in bad humor when I got online. It seems I still held some rancor due to your initial miserably quisling insults castigating Fluxlist some digests back.When I read the word of the day both definitions reminded me of you. Goodness, forgive me. I sincerely accepted your issuance as a challenge, and I was delighted by all the responses (some digests back). But, I suppose, natural instinct to strike back often prevails. We are all not much more than boiled, jellied oatmeal...
So, you see, Mr. Higgins score, as you know, requires working with butter and egg for a time. The recipe for flummery calls for working with milk, flour and egg for a time. It was the second definition of flummery which struck my attention with the phrase "unsubstantial talk." I see your initial criticisms, though formally phrased, basically unsubstantial talk. That does not mean I have not enjoyed your participation in the list. And I suppose I am still a secret admirer. suse ----- Original Message ----- From: "secret fluxus" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent: Sunday, July 11, 2004 8:19 AM Subject: FLUXLIST: Flummery Dear Suse, The Danger Music piece we have been performing is Danger Music Fifteen. The score calls only for eggs and butter. Dick Higgins' performance recipe contains no flour, sugar, sweeteners, or starch. Flummery is any of several desserts made of boiled, jellied oatmeal or wheatmeal. It can be made with milk, flour, eggs, gelatines, etc. The Oxford English Dictionary does not give the Welsh word llymru as 'a soft, sour oatmeal food'. The Welsh word seems to refer to the kinds of sweet desserts described in the definition. The word may derive from another word, llymrig, meaning bare, soft, or slippery. The pejorative use of the word flummery is based on the idea of flummery as a kind of fluffy, insubstantial confection or a trifle. It refers to empty compliments or nonsense, to humbug, as well as to useless trappings, ornaments or trifles. We don't see Dick Higgins' Danger Music works as flummery Sincerely, The Man Without a Name Date: Sat, 10 Jul 2004 18:28:58 -0400 From: "suse" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: FLUXLIST: \FLUHM-uh-ree\ do you think danger music is similar to working with 'milk, eggs, flour etc?' curious connection to secret taunts Word of the Day for Friday July 9, 2004 flummery, noun: 1. A name given to various sweet dishes made with milk, eggs, flour, etc. 2. Empty compliment; unsubstantial talk or writing; mumbo jumbo; nonsense. He had become disturbed by the number of listeners phoning in with such flummery as tales of self-styled clairvoyants' uncannily correct forecasts. - Suzanne Seixas, "One Man's Finances," Money, September 1, 1986 One reason there is so much flummery in the global warming debate is that the weather in the Northeast United States, where the opinion-makers live, has a disproportionate effect on whether greenhouse concerns are taken seriously. - Gregg Easterbrook, "Warming Up," [1]New Republic, November 8, 1999 It is Dr. August's claim that he receives inspiration from spirits, that through his music the departed can speak to those they left behind. Although this is sometimes unabashed flummery, there are moments when Fitz seems to make a real connection with those who have crossed over. - Paul Quarrington, "Psychic Hotline," [2]New York Times, September 3, 2000 Flummery comes from Welsh llymru, a soft, sour oatmeal food. _________________________________________________________________ Express yourself with cool new emoticons http://www.msn.co.uk/specials/myemo
