Winnie the Pooh

[Segilla]

A retired American English Literature teacher has asked me what is so special to the British about :-
'There's nothing quite .. as messing about in boats.'
I'm stumped.

[andy-hughes]

The quote is "There is nothing -- absolutely nothing -- half so much worth doing as simply messing about in boats."

It is said by The Water Rat in Kenneth Grahame's 'The Wind In The Willows', which is a fabulous children's story classic.

Your teacher will obviously be familiar with the work - so now you can quote the source back to him.

Winnie The Pooh is not involved - different author and story.

[Segilla]

Too much excess indulgence befuddles the brain, alas. My apologies.
I'm still entranced by the the splendid copy of 'T'he Hum of Pooh' brought into the Edinburgh 'The Antiques Roadshow/' of a few days ago, and somewhat bemused by how use and changes of meanings of words make the title uncomfortable, in much the same way as one line in 'Kubla`Khan'
Sorry I digress.

Of course it's 'Wind in the Willows'.
But my essential question is unanswered. Why are the words so particularly quotable?
I'm happiest thinking they are a beloved as they generate a rosy hark back to childhood's pleasures recollected from simple activities, to days outdoors in the countryside, on seemingly endlessly sunny days, preferably involving water,

The teacher involved is very well-read, particularly in19C English literature, but strangely, although her brothers read them, both the works mentoned here passed her by. I've sent her copies to help complete her education though I doubt they will make any difference at all to her (American) spelling!

[saxy_jag]

You should suggest to this teacher that he spends a little time just 'messing about in boats'. That Grahame's words are so quotable is because they are so true and could only have been written by a boatman.

Once out on the water, whether you're rowing, sailing, paddling or just floating, you forget everything. You're too taken up with handling the boat to worry about the rest of the world, which you're cut off from anyway, so there'd be nothing you could do. It's peaceful and quiet for the most part and you have lots of time to relax. contemplate and generally do nothing productive whatsoever.

[feebal]

Of course, there is a connection between Willows and Winnie the Pooh - as the artist E H Shepherd provided the famous illustrations for both.

Personally I'm stumped as to why the retired English Lit teacher is so curious about why people like to quote the messing about in boat thing. Our particular English heritage of boats and waterways means that "messing about in boats" is as part and parcel of our way of life as riding Harley Davidsons, Greyhound buses, or painted wagons is to the Americans.

Of course, I think what is so good about the use of the phrase in Wind in the Willows is that it perfectly sums up and encapsulates Ratty's character in a few words - ideal for what is essentially a study of the British class system.