Thursday, November 25, 2010

July 18, 1953: Picnic-school

Peanuts

This is the first time in my life I've ever heard of picnic-school.

6 comments:

  1. Likewise! It's simple enough to infer from context what it must have been, but the term itself is totally unfamiliar. I don't think it's an archaic usage, as older relatives I've asked have never heard of it either. Possibly a regional term? Though the fact it doesn't show up on Google makes that uncertain as well...

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  2. I'm guessing that Lucy made up the term to describe the unfamiliar program. A half-day kindergarten does not serve lunch, but a full day includes a meal. Therefore, picnic-school.

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  3. I have no idea what picnic-school is, but it sure sounds like fun!

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  4. I'm pretty sure "picnic school" is a joke here. Note that Lucy says nursery school is over because it's summer, and that her mother thinks "picnic school" is better because Lucy is gone all day. Lucy's mother is relieved to get Lucy out of her hair while school is out by having Lucy attend an imaginary school where you go on picnics all day.

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  5. No, it wasn't introduced in such a way as to imply it was created whole-cloth by Schulz. Whatever it is, it seems used in a sense that suggests recognition by its audience. Or so it seems to me, at least.

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  6. Google Ngrams and COCA/COHA both show zero instances of the phrase "picnic school" showing up (in billions of scanned books etc.). Apparently something that Lucy/Schultz made up.

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