Behind the line
What it means
Our interpretation.
It is a calculated attempt to make nonsense useful. Blackadder has spent the series treating the war's logic as madness, and now tries to imitate madness as a route out of it. The tiny word and the ridiculous props make the scheme instantly recognisable; its failure gives the later, unadorned farewell a much harder edge.
Context reviewed
In context
Spoilers for BlackadderShow the scene
In ‘Goodbyeee’, the final episode of Blackadder Goes Forth (1989), Blackadder attempts to escape the approaching attack by appearing insane. He puts underpants on his head, inserts pencils in his nostrils and answers with this nonsense word. The performance is meant to get him sent away from the front. It fails when General Melchett proves thoroughly familiar with the routine, leaving Blackadder to face the advance with his men.
Sources (2)
- Goodbyeee — episode subtitle transcriptBlackadder Goes Forth — Goodbyeee; quoted conversationReference checked
- Blackadder Goes Forth — WikiquoteGoodbyeeeReference checked
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