Camel song

Posted by ESC on December 03, 2002

In Reply to: Camel Glam posted by Woodchuck on December 03, 2002

:
: : : : : : : : : What does the phrase:
: : : : : : : : : "A camel is a horse designed by a committee"
: : : : : : : : : mean?

: : : : : : : :
: : : : : : : : It's an ironic expression, used to show that deciding anything by committee, and therefore by taking too many opinions and wish-lists into account, will result in something that's probably vaguely similar to what was originally planned, but which won't be anywhere near as effective as was wanted. A camel and a horse are both ungulates, but the point is that the camel's both ugly and slow in comparison.

: : : : : : : ahem...

: : : : : : : Camels are fast and graceful. We can keep running long after horses have given out. Beauty is a beauty does.

: : : : : : There, there. Don't get your back up.

: : : : : There was a minority opinion on the committee and they made a second model with two humps - proof, if proof were needed.

: : : : Let me qualify any statements I've made during this particular thread with the belated rider "present company of course excluded". I really don't want to give Ms. Camel the hump.

: : : Indeed. I'd walk a mile not to.

: Very chic. The natural look puts the the asymetrically sequin-embellished camelhair coat featured in the Lanvin fall 2002 pret-a-porter collection to shame.

Does anyone remember the Camel with the Wrinkled Knees' song from "Raggedy Ann & Andy: A Musical Adventure"? I couldn't find the words online but, from memory, (ahem):

When you're wrinkled and old
And your fortunes have all been told
And you're nobody's I LOVE YOU
How can you be happy?
How can you be smiling?
How can you be anything but
Rag bag baggy and blue
Sad but true.

I loved that movie -- a little strange in parts.

• Camel song Bob 12/06/02
  • Camels in literature and song ESC 12/06/02