Not P but Moby-Dick (21)

[Ian Livingston]

Yes, regarding association, though here the 'dance' is labor. The Long
Island sailor's call that "all legs go to harvest soon" is acknowledgement
that the Pequod is entering the latitudes where will they will soon be
lowering boats to hunt whales. Hoedowns are traditionally events marking
the harvest season. So, dance now, while you have the energy, you'll soon
be bone-weary from bending to the work.

On Tue, Oct 3, 2023 at 5:53 PM Mike Jing <gravitys.rainbow.cn at gmail.com>
wrote:

> There may indeed be a connection. The first quote in OED for hoedown:
>
> As to dancing, no Long-Island negro could shuffle you ‘double trouble’, or
> ‘hoe corn and dig potatoes’ more scientifically.
> *Salmagundi; or, The whim-whams and opinions of Launcelot Langstaff, Esq.,
> and others* • 1st edition, 24 Jan. 1807–25 Jan. 1808.
>
>
> On Mon, Oct 2, 2023 at 9:21 PM Mike Jing <gravitys.rainbow.cn at gmail.com>
> wrote:
>
> > Also from Chapter 40:
> >
> > LONG-ISLAND SAILOR.
> > Well, well, ye sulkies, there’s plenty more of us. Hoe corn when you may,
> > say I. All legs go to harvest soon. Ah! here comes the music; now for it!
> >
> > The Norton Critical Edition says this is "A call to a hoedown, or a
> square
> > dance." Does "hoe corn" have anything to do with hoedown?
> >
> > Also, what does "All legs go to harvest soon" mean here?
> >
> >
> --
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