Orchid XP v8 wrote:
>>> Maybe I'm just strange, but I don't think it would matter what a 
>>> person is whistling. The fact that they're whistling something would 
>>> be more significant...
>>
>> It conveys their opinion.
> 
> Surely it's more or less random and represents whatever happens to 
> wander into their heads?

You know, I'm not sure I can explain it any better than I already have. 
If someone says "Here comes with Wicked Witch" when they see your boss 
walking towards them, that conveys an opinion of your boss. Whistling 
the theme song (which, in the movie, plays every time the Wicked Witch 
approaches) also conveys the same thought. But you wouldn't understand 
either meaning without culture behind it.

>> If you haven't read any Shakespeare, how would you know?
> Who says I haven't read any Shakespeare?

Sorry. You didn't.

In any case, that's what it's supposed to do. If some time in your life, 
someone tells you not to hire some particular lawyer because he's a real 
shylock, you'll know what it means.

Of course, there are fewer references to Shakespeare and various operas 
and such than there are to popular movies, but the movie references will 
probably not outlive the Shakespeare references either.  I mean, what do 
you hear more, "Romeo and Juliet" or "Tony and Maria"?

-- 
Darren New / San Diego, CA, USA (PST)
  Helpful housekeeping hints:
   Check your feather pillows for holes
    before putting them in the washing machine.

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