APAD: Hippo Birdie Two Ewes

7
7grizzly
楼主 (文学城)

Meaning:

    A funny way of saying `Happy birthday to you'.

 

Background:

    The phrase `hippo birdie two ewes' became a popular way to wish someone

    happy birthday.

 

    The exact origin of the phrase is unclear, but it gained popularity through

    a greeting card designed by Sandra Boynton, an American songwriter,

    director, and author. Boynton is known for her whimsical animal characters,

    and her greeting cards have been widely distributed and loved by many for

    their clever wordplay and delightful illustrations.

 

- www.phrases.org.uk [edited]                      

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To my friend L, who reached 65 on Wednesday Sep 25.

 

The day before volunteering at the Vacville state prison at the end of May, he

called around: "Just in case something happens to me." A couple of weeks later,

he replied to my Father's Day greeting. So he lived.

  

We don't meet face-to-face as often as we used to. Back in 2020, he and his

youngest son Stefan, neither looking like the typical runner, led me in almost

all my long runs, including my only 50K race. The last time I shook his hand was

a year ago after he came back from Madeira.

      

So Monday noon in front the Starbucks in Santa Clara Square, as he drew closer

from the parking lot, I noticed right away my friend lost some weight and looked

sharper.

        

"I lift weight twice a week and lately amped up my running" he smiled. "I have

something coming next year."

      

"Oh God. Here comes the bragging," I ribbed him. If he had to prepare a year

ahead, it got to be some insane distance.

 

Despite some ringing in the ears and a slight sciatic nerve pinch that led to

numbness in one foot, he felt great, he said. He was still doing 100K races

regularly. I could easily picture him one of those marathoning centenarians. So

many happy returns of the day!

最西边的岛上
what a nice Happy B-day story & what an amazing guy!
最西边的岛上
Nice writeup 7G! neverHad that card/puzzle LearnedToday.Thx!
移花接木
Hahaha, that's so cuuuuute, like so?

暖冬cool夏
I remember this L, on whose birthday u sent him gifts:)
7
7grizzly
Thanks! L's very special. You don't meet 65-year-olds
7
7grizzly
running 100K or 100Miles often :-))
7
7grizzly
Thanks for the pic. I could've sent him this one :-)
7
7grizzly
Yes. Last time I gave him a Captain-of-Crush!
最西边的岛上
Hooray Hooray (said by 1 who failed 800M running test) ;-))
最西边的岛上
could still send him an E-one? "two is better than one" ;-))
7
7grizzly
I usually don't celebrate b'days. He'll think I'm acting
7
7grizzly
weird. So next time!
最西边的岛上
A funnyJoke:小学英语老师教语法,下课前问大家:“我都讲完了,大家还有明白的么?” 小学生齐声答:“没有了!“
7
7grizzly
The teacher did a thorough job; the parents were devastated.
最西边的岛上
I bet if the teacher asked them in E, they'll all sayYes ;-)
最西边的岛上
I bet if the teacher asked 小学生 in E, they'd all say yes ;-)
妖妖灵
Like it! How about to male friends? An ewe is a female sheep
妖妖灵
Why “ So he lived.”?
妖妖灵
Cute! The rhythm is correct!
天边一片白云
You have many interesting friends. And your writing makes
天边一片白云
Your story so vivid.
7
7grizzly
Yes. An ewe is female. But the phrase is gender-neutral :-))
7
7grizzly
Otherwise, he wouldn't be able to reply. The assumption was
7
7grizzly
something bad could happen as he was to work with criminals
7
7grizzly
Thanks, 白云. I know they don't come by easily. Join a sport,
7
7grizzly
one meets a lot of admirable people.
7
7grizzly
that weekend at a state prison.