An International Online Journal of the Arts, Language, Entertainment, Culture and Pseudo-intellectuality

Tuesday, December 19, 2006

all snug in their beds.

Slag said...: Donder?; December 20, 2006
CJM said...: Donder. A good Trivial Pursuit question.; December 20, 2006
Slag said...: I had to look this up.

"One hundred and sixteen years after Clement Clark Moore (author of the original 1823 poem 'Twas the Night Before Christmas') first named the reindeer, the name "Donner" replaced "Donder" in the publication of the 1939 story book Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer, written by Robert L. May(4). A decade after the book was published "Donner" was further cemented into American consciousness when Gene Autry recorded Johnny Mark's song Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer.

"Donner" is Thunder and "Blitzen" is Lightning in German. So, I understand how the mistake occurred. Nevertheless, the poem was readily available to refer to in libraries across the country. Shame on Mr. May and Mr. Marks for not doing their research properly before publishing their work. What right had they to change an American classic?"

It would make sense to have a "thunder" and "lightning" combo on the sleigh team (ala the 2000 NY Giants), but, you go with the source material.

Remind me never to play Trivial Pursuit with you CJM.; December 21, 2006
CJM said...: I'm actually not that great at Trivial Pursuit. I just grabbed the names from my daughter's book. And for the record, I think "Donner" and "Blitzen" can be found here - these are definitely German!; December 21, 2006