Ciara
So many of my photos have a single seagull in them that I'm starting to wonder if it's the same seagull, stalking me around the world.
I was joking about the same seagull following me everywhere, but now that I skim some random photos, maybe I'm not
I like the fact that the signs in Cornwall say Beware The Gulls. As opposed to Beware Of The Gulls. Beware The Gulls sounds more ominous, more chilling, more 'these creatures are demonic, you are in grave peril'.
Noli timere@CiaraNi The word “the” in that context is interesting. Given that “Beware” and “gulls” appear on successive lines, I simply would have written “Beware gulls” (or “Beware: gulls”). Why did the sign writer include “the”, I wonder… because “Beware the gulls” and “Beware gulls” have subtly different meanings.
Don RayBrings to mind:
“Beware the Jabberwock, my son!
The jaws that bite, the claws that catch!
Beware the Jubjub bird, and shun
The frumious Bandersnatch!”
(from Jabberwocky by Lewis Carroll)
@donray @nolitimere Perfect. If I replace Jabberwock and Jubjub with Seagull, it makes perfect sense. Next time I see a seagull, I will hiss 'you bandersnatcher' at it.
I suspect it might have something to do with the word "beware." Its usage might be different in different dialects. I would always use it as a phrasal verb "Beware of the dog." It seems incomplete to say "Beware the dog."
@donray @nolitimere They could have gone with Beware Of The Gulls, like Beware Of The Dog, but that would have seemed a bit too pedestrian or domestic or everyday, I think. Dropping the 'of' is what elevated it for me to a more dramatic warning, a warning that Something Terrible may befall you. Beware The Ides of March. Beware The Dragon. Beware The Gulls.