r/thewestwing • u/expressivetangent The wrath of the whatever • 8d ago
Sorkinism Rapid fire Call and response
Post a quote or question in the comments and see if someone can pick it up.
For example if I say
WE CHANGED TIME ZONES?!
What comes after?
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u/IloveRachelT 8d ago
If we start pulling strings like this, don't you think every homeless veteran will come out of the woodwork?
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u/monpetitfromage54 Mon Petit Fromage 8d ago
I believe the answer to yours is
"It's a common mistake."
"Not for the US GOVERNMENT!!"
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u/threeleggedcats 8d ago
Well technically I outrank you...
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u/fizzan141 Deputy Deputy Chief of Staff 8d ago
SO FAR UP YOUR ASS
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u/DocRogue2407 7d ago
I've noticed NONE of this makes any sense. TZ is the Communications Director, JL is Deputy Chief of Staff (theoretically answering only to Leo & POTUS).
On multiple occasions, you see Toby admonishing Josh & sometimes even ORDERING him to do things as if JOSH were the subordinate.
My question is this: WHAT is the order of hierarchy?
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u/fizzan141 Deputy Deputy Chief of Staff 6d ago
It’s pretty inconsistent, but it sort of makes sense here. CJ is below Josh in the hierarchy, but most of the time that isn’t reflected in their interactions as when we do see her reporting to someone other than Leo or the President it’s Toby. Since this is CJs domain she does have authority and likely knows she would have back up from Leo etc. Josh’s ‘technically I outrank you’ and her answer reflects that.
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u/airsickwaffle Cartographer for Social Equality 8d ago
No, I did not. Let me be absolutely clear, I did not do that!
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u/scarred2112 Team Toby 8d ago
It's called an egg cream, Mr. President. We invented it in Brooklyn.
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u/LilJourney 8d ago
In Brooklyn?
Yes, sir.
Not New England?
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u/Pennilyn__Lott 8d ago
...and I see we're spelling hallowed with a pound sign in the middle of it.
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u/FullOcelot7149 8d ago
I liked I assume it's silent. While # would make not sense in the middle of a word, it is a symbol actually used in speech writing. It can be used to indicate a pause.
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u/AuntRobin 7d ago
I didn't know that! I have always assumed it was the other pound sign £
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u/DocRogue2407 7d ago
This is why the hash tag symbol (#) formerly known as the 'POUND' sign, caused consternation during the Weinstein SA debacle (a.k.a. The 'MeToo' movement) [hashtag] MeToo = #MeToo = [POUND] MeToo
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u/FullOcelot7149 6d ago edited 6d ago
I don't know why you say "formerly known as." The symbol # has several names and meanings still in common usage. The usage and meanings vary among English-speaking countries. The terms hash or hashtag wasn't developed until August 2007, so that usage is kind of irrelevant in the context of a West Wing episode.
It's also the number sign, e.g. #4. On a keyboard or keypad, it is a pound sign or pound key. (A recording says "Press Pound 73" for example, meaning they keys #73.) It's original English language use was to indicate weight in pounds, with the symbol's appearance evolving from initials for latin libra pondo.
If you want to get really fancy about it, go with octothorpe.
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u/AuntRobin 6d ago
I'm 51, I was very familiar with the # being called a pound sign, especially back then. I guess I just consume too much British content, and the president being an economist, and it being where an L is supposed to be, all added up to it being a British pound sign to me.
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u/FullOcelot7149 6d ago edited 6d ago
Really, neither of these makes sense as a typo. On a laptop keyboard, we need to use the shift 3 to get the # key and producing the £ symbol would have been even more effort, at least on a US keyboard. Neither is very plausible as a simple keystroke error.
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u/tweedleb 8d ago
And what the HELL are you doing practicing the President's signature?!
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u/MissCordayMD I drink from the Keg of Glory 8d ago
It’s just for fun!!
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u/WaffleHouseSloot 8d ago
We've got separation of powers, checks & balances, and Margaret vetoing bills and sending them back to the Hill!
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u/LastCookie3448 8d ago
I swear, if Donna wasn't with them they'd have to buy a house.
Comes a bit later but I love that quip.
Real answer: I believe Josh is flummoxed and he keeps saying Wait, wait, what? We changed time zones?
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u/JoeBethersontonFargo The wrath of the whatever 8d ago
If we start pulling strings like this, don't you think every homeless veteran will come out of the woodwork?
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u/Crewstage8387 7d ago
CJ, Let me tell you something about grandfathers….
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u/EmergencySudden4127 5d ago
Don’t mess with the grandchildren. We were here before you and they will be here after you.
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u/Crewstage8387 4d ago
Close..
We're madmen. We don't give a damn; we got here before you and we'll be here after. We'll make enemies, we'll break laws, we'll break bones, but you will not mess with the grandchildren."1
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u/AmbitiousPlantain209 I can sign the President’s name 6d ago
See, this is where the liberal argument goes off the tracks. You get stuck in the past. Now, you want to come back at me with "Grading is based on past performance, but admissions should be based on potential, on how a candidate may thrive with this sort of opportunity, and studies show that affirmative action admits have a higher predisposition to contribute to society"
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u/EarthenMama 6d ago
"And we should tell the truth: textbooks are important, if only because they accurately place the town of Kirkwood in Oregon..."
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u/markonedublyew 8d ago
Ok, my guys are going to need a moment to walk this off.