Aw, it’s a little Bantu carnivore! In some African cultures, they are down with this theory. “You have captured my liver.” = “You have stolen my heart.”
The liver as the seat of emotion was the accepted idea even in Shakespearian times. In Midsummer Nights Dream (I think) they mention feeing with your liver instead of your heart.
This dialogue makes me happy because in my homeland’s language, our word for the organ within which our feelings reside in also translates into “liver”.
It’s true for the Mesopotamians as well. Not sure about the liver is the seat of feeling, but they did consider ti to be the most important organ in the body.
I would have thought, given how literal and knowledgeable Digger is in so many other ways, that she would also think of feelings as coming from the brain.
“Not be getting far without liver, either.”
This is, for me, one of the most memorable lines in this story. I’m not sure why, but it has stuck with me for all these years.
I still recall it fondly, even though it took on a more poignant aspect a few years ago when my mother’s liver started to fail. She’s still with us. But the day will come … anyway, enough of that.
Ahhhhh, the importance of the Liver. Oh Digger, how you will regret asking…
How deliciously pragmatic. 🙂
Aw, it’s a little Bantu carnivore! In some African cultures, they are down with this theory. “You have captured my liver.” = “You have stolen my heart.”
The liver as the seat of emotion was the accepted idea even in Shakespearian times. In Midsummer Nights Dream (I think) they mention feeing with your liver instead of your heart.
This dialogue makes me happy because in my homeland’s language, our word for the organ within which our feelings reside in also translates into “liver”.
Awww… I miss the old explanation of where the liver thing comes from. 🙂
It’s true for the Mesopotamians as well. Not sure about the liver is the seat of feeling, but they did consider ti to be the most important organ in the body.
Of course, in reality we now know better. Emotions REALLY come from the brain. Doesn’t stop this from being funny as hell.
Deep, and funny
McCoy once said to Spock, “Kinda gets you right here [heart], doesn’t it? Or in your case, [liver]”
I would have thought, given how literal and knowledgeable Digger is in so many other ways, that she would also think of feelings as coming from the brain.
Westrider: Eh, depends on how much of biology her race has figured out so far.
“Not be getting far without liver, either.”
This is, for me, one of the most memorable lines in this story. I’m not sure why, but it has stuck with me for all these years.
I still recall it fondly, even though it took on a more poignant aspect a few years ago when my mother’s liver started to fail. She’s still with us. But the day will come … anyway, enough of that.