molesworth

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any molesworth fans out there? I've just been reading the books again after many years and I don't know what the 'ma' stands for in Grabber ma the head of St Custards,winner of the mrs joyful prize for rafia work. I'd love to know.

[kettledrum]

ma is an abbreviation of major - meaning that he is the elder (eldest) of 2 or more Grabber brothers at the school.
ma (major), mi (minor) and min (minimus). In the days when boys were only known by their surnames you knew which brother you meant by calling him ma ( or mi / min). Does this make sense?

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Thanks Kettledrum, yes that made perfect sense. Buffer

[taichiperson]

Oh I remember these - hilarious. I still get 'bootskis, bootskis, marching up and downski' from the Russian Master running through my head!!

[LeMarchand]

The 2 sequels (by Simon Brett) with an older Molesworth are also worth a read if you can track them down.

You might also like Kim Newman's short story "Teddy Bears' Picnic" (collected in various places, but his "Unforgivable Stories" will probably be the easiest to find). This is a spoof of various 'Nam movies starring Bob & Terry from "The Likely Lads" and characters from a bunch of other UK sitcoms. Molesworth makes a hilarious appearance.

[Mictain]

'As any fule kno...' the Molesworth stories are great fun :-)

[ann_h]

hullo clouds, hullo sky ...

absolutely loved these - especially the illustrations of Gabbitas and Thring trapping schoolmasters!