Giving birth to a Boeing
A collection of reader letters from the Sydney Morning Herald's 'Column 8' featuring lighthearted anecdotes, linguistic trivia, and satirical commentary. The column serves as a community forum for readers to share personal stories and observations.
Why it matters
It highlights the role of traditional newspaper columns in fostering community engagement and preserving local cultural discourse.
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Share A A A “Natasha Lee’s Jumbo close call (C8) reminded me of the birth of one of my children who arrived in this world at 7.47,” says Richard Hale of Paddington. “Understandably, my (now ex) wife was not amused when I lightheartedly suggested the child be called Jumbo.” For a boy, you could’ve gone with Sully and a girl, maybe Piper – or, heck with it, Skye.
“Like others who have pondered on the remnants from past language lessons (C8), much of my schoolgirl Latin now eludes me,” admits Alison Durant of Lawrence. “However, a faint memory flickers when I see a galah. I find myself, often quite loudly, referencing our beautiful pink and grey bird: ‘galah, galah, gallum, gallorum, gallis, gallis!’”
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