Friction contrafibulator: Difference between revisions
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== Behind the scenes == | == Behind the scenes == | ||
[[File:C is for contrafibularity - Blackadder - BBC|thumb|right|The [[Richard Curtis|Curtis]]-written ''Blackadder'' scene that inspired the {{lc:{{PAGENAME}}}}]] | [[File:C is for contrafibularity - Blackadder - BBC|thumb|right|The [[Richard Curtis|Curtis]]-written ''Blackadder'' scene that inspired the {{lc:{{PAGENAME}}}}]] | ||
Though the word is superficially [[technobabble]], it's also a subtle connection to another [[Richard Curtis]] script: '' | Though the word is superficially [[technobabble]], it's also a subtle connection to another [[Richard Curtis]] script: ''{{iw|blackadder|Blackadder the Third}}''{{'}}s ''{{iw|blackadder|Ink and Incapability}}''. In that story {{iw|blackadder|Edmund Blackadder, Esq.|Blackadder}} frustrates lexicographer {{iw|blackadder|Samuel Johnson}} by throwing out a few nonsense words — including ''contrafibularity'' — after Johnson has claimed that his dictionary contains "every single word" in the English language. | ||
Breaking down this non-word to its real components, we find that it means ''contra'' (against) + ''fibula'' (the smaller of the two major bones of the leg) : "pulling one's leg". | Breaking down this non-word to its real components, we find that it means ''contra'' (against) + ''fibula'' (the smaller of the two major bones of the leg) : "pulling one's leg". | ||
[[Category:TARDIS components]] | [[Category:TARDIS components]] | ||
Revision as of 01:45, 16 December 2013
The friction contrafibulator was a button on the console of the Doctor's TARDIS. When Vincent van Gogh attempted to touch it, the Eleventh Doctor leapt across the TARDIS to stop him. (TV: Vincent and the Doctor) Later, he used the button to stabilise the TARDIS interior when confused by the presence of both the Tenth and War Doctors. (TV: The Day of the Doctor)
Behind the scenes
Though the word is superficially technobabble, it's also a subtle connection to another Richard Curtis script: Blackadder the Third's Ink and Incapability. In that story Blackadder frustrates lexicographer Samuel Johnson by throwing out a few nonsense words — including contrafibularity — after Johnson has claimed that his dictionary contains "every single word" in the English language.
Breaking down this non-word to its real components, we find that it means contra (against) + fibula (the smaller of the two major bones of the leg) : "pulling one's leg".
