Dr. Bellows word choice - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Little_stinker · 10-25-2019, 04:11 PM

IIRC, Dr. Bellows called Tony Nelson "twitterpated".

The only other time that I recall hearing that word used was in the Disney movie, Mary Poppins.
Has that word been used other places?

kentauros · 11-08-2019, 03:15 PM

According to the Online Etymology Dictionary, it originated in Disney's "Bambi":

twitterpated (adj.)
1942, apparently first attested in the Walt Disney movie "Bambi" (there also was a song by that name but it was not in the studio release of the film), a past-participle adjective formed from twitter in the "tremulous excitement" noun sense (1670s) + pate (n.2) "head" (compare flutterpated, 1894).

Thumper: Why are they acting that way?
Friend Owl: Why, don't you know? They're twitterpated.
Flower, Bambi, Thumper: Twitterpated?
Friend Owl: Yes. Nearly everybody gets twitterpated in the springtime. For example: You're walking along, minding your own business. You're looking neither to the left, nor to the right, when all of a sudden you run smack into a pretty face. Woo-woo! You begin to get weak in the knees. Your head's in a whirl. And then you feel light as a feather, and before you know it, you're walking on air. And then you know what? You're knocked for a loop, and you completely lose your head!
Thumper: Gosh, that's awful.

I don't remember Dr. Bellows using it, and don't know of anyone else using it. I'd say it's likely too obscure to see it show up anywhere else. Maybe Sidney Sheldon had recently seen "Bambi" (Disney used to cycle their animated films through 7-year periods of re-releasing them to the theaters back then) and liked the word.

Schmoopie · 11-09-2019, 01:42 AM

I think I remember that as well. It's most commonly associated with Bambi but I vaguely remember hearing it somewhere else not that long ago. Maye it was IDOJ but I know it was an older show.

Daisy2000 · 03-15-2021, 03:55 AM

I find the husband's friend the funniest on the show. The husband sometimes seems ridiculous. Many shows have copied the humor on this show it seems.
E mail me to discuss show eve0715@aol.com

10-25-2019, 04:11 PM	#1
Little_stinker Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Apr 19, 2018 Location: Illinois Posts: 315	Dr. Bellows word choice IIRC, Dr. Bellows called Tony Nelson "twitterpated". The only other time that I recall hearing that word used was in the Disney movie, Mary Poppins. Has that word been used other places?

11-08-2019, 03:15 PM	#2
kentauros Member Occasional Poster Join Date: Jan 20, 2001 Location: Houston Posts: 78	According to the Online Etymology Dictionary, it originated in Disney's "Bambi": twitterpated (adj.) 1942, apparently first attested in the Walt Disney movie "Bambi" (there also was a song by that name but it was not in the studio release of the film), a past-participle adjective formed from twitter in the "tremulous excitement" noun sense (1670s) + pate (n.2) "head" (compare flutterpated, 1894). Thumper: Why are they acting that way? Friend Owl: Why, don't you know? They're twitterpated. Flower, Bambi, Thumper: Twitterpated? Friend Owl: Yes. Nearly everybody gets twitterpated in the springtime. For example: You're walking along, minding your own business. You're looking neither to the left, nor to the right, when all of a sudden you run smack into a pretty face. Woo-woo! You begin to get weak in the knees. Your head's in a whirl. And then you feel light as a feather, and before you know it, you're walking on air. And then you know what? You're knocked for a loop, and you completely lose your head! Thumper: Gosh, that's awful. I don't remember Dr. Bellows using it, and don't know of anyone else using it. I'd say it's likely too obscure to see it show up anywhere else. Maybe Sidney Sheldon had recently seen "Bambi" (Disney used to cycle their animated films through 7-year periods of re-releasing them to the theaters back then) and liked the word.
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11-09-2019, 01:42 AM	#3
Schmoopie Keep Calm and Love Snoopy Forum Star Join Date: Jul 13, 2008 Location: Lynnwood, Washington Posts: 15,697	I think I remember that as well. It's most commonly associated with Bambi but I vaguely remember hearing it somewhere else not that long ago. Maye it was IDOJ but I know it was an older show.
	__________________ In memory of my wonderful husband. I love and miss you more than words can say, but I will always and forever keep you in my heart. September 23, 1961-January 14, 2019

03-15-2021, 03:55 AM	#4
Daisy2000 Member Occasional Poster Join Date: Mar 05, 2021 Location: NY Posts: 21	language I find the husband's friend the funniest on the show. The husband sometimes seems ridiculous. Many shows have copied the humor on this show it seems. E mail me to discuss show eve0715@aol.com