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'... packed the elusive prune' wha?

14 Feb 26 - 01:43 AM (#4235782)
Subject: '... packed the elusive prune' wha?
From: GUEST,Jon Bartlett

A line from a Haywire Mac song, listing the jobs he's had. Is this slang, or does he actually mean "prune"? Enquiring minds need to know.

Jon Bartlett


14 Feb 26 - 02:31 AM (#4235783)
Subject: RE: '... packed the elusive prune' wha?
From: GUEST,Phil d'Conch

Origins: Great American Bum


14 Feb 26 - 08:12 AM (#4235796)
Subject: RE: '... packed the elusive prune' wha?
From: Lighter

He means "prune."

For an inexplicable reason, back in the '20s, "elusive" was sometimes used as a jocular adjective without real meaning. "Festive" was similar.

A prune might humorously be considered "elusive" because you can't find them growing like other fruits.


14 Feb 26 - 02:58 PM (#4235802)
Subject: RE: '... packed the elusive prune' wha?
From: GUEST

'Echo softly in the distance through the canyons of your mind'
- The Elusive Prunes

In our hometown there was a Prune Exchange
and in the neighboring town a Nut Exchange
both the butt of many a youthful joke.


14 Feb 26 - 04:31 PM (#4235805)
Subject: RE: '... packed the elusive prune' wha?
From: GUEST

'no matter how young a prune may be it's always full of wrinkles'- Frank Crumit