[lit-ideas] What The Butler Saw

I sort of recently learned that "What the butler  saw" was a sort of 
machine found in places like Brighton, pornographic in  nature. And of course 
title of Orton's brilliant play.

I claim 'what the  butler saw' was _it_. (as in Cole Porter, "argentines 
without means do it").  

The It Boy

"It is raining (What is _it_?)" Strawson  1952

In a message dated 4/27/2009 5:10:20 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time,  
mr.eric.yost@xxxxxxxxx writes:
Wondering whether "it" will be water drops  falling 
from condensed atmospheric vapor, or whether it 
will merely be  mostly masses of water and ice 
particles suspended at a significant altitude  
above the process of my point of  view,

Yosting

---

Well, Strawson (1952) at least, does make  the naive question (naive I'm 
using jocularly), as per  header.

-------

His polemic with Grice was time-honoured.  

I don't think Grice was disturbed by 'it' or 'es' in "es regnet" or "it  
rains".

Yes, water drops can be the answer. But it should be _they_ rain  then.

In the Romance languages, the subject is never espressed, at least  in 
Italian and Spanish. It is mentioned in French ('il pleut') confusingly.  
"Piove" or "llueve" in Italian and Spanish respectively. It _is_ third person,  
singular, though. but at least it's not rudely masculine as in French, or  
sillily neuter as in German or English.

I forget what the Romans said.  Possibly didn't. "pluvit". It's like "Life 
of Brian" ("Romans Go Home" -- 'ite  domum, romani').

Chomsky analyzed the 'it'. I call him the It-Boy for  that.

When I find 'it' I know what it is; it's usely a worm" (The Duck,  in The 
Mouse's Tail) -- "But one wonders what the archbishop found".  (Dodgson).


Cheers,

JLS  

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