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 Wind Up Workin' In A Gas Station

Notes and Comments
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  To Album Refs
To Global Refs
This here song might offend you some.
If it does, it's because you're dumb.
That's the way it is where I come from.
If you been there too, let me see your thumb.

Let me see your thumb. (Let me see your thumb)
Let me see your thumb. (Let me see your thumb)

Show me your thumb if your really dumb.
From: harring@helios.phy.ohiou.edu (Peter B. Harrington)
  The thumb reference explains an obvious way to identify anyone who makes a living working on automobiles. Automechanics typically have black grease under the finger and thumb nails. In addtion, the thumb has a tendency to take some abuse in this occupation, and after a while will have a hammered on appearance. Sir Arthur Conan Doyle would be proud.
From: jsuder@moose.uvm.edu (Jane P. Suder)
  Speaking from personal experience? I think the grease thing is not exactly right, although they do have dem greeeesy fingerz.... but the hammered thumb thing might be it.....
From: linetramp@delphi.com
  As a general rule, the thumbs and fingers of mechanics are noticably scarred and calloused from working with cast iron and stamped steel. A seemingly permanent black stain from the carbon in grease and oil is also common in that line of work. In addition, mechanics are seldom regarded as members of the intellectual elite, so the stigma of a black, scarred thumb could translate to "destined for a lifetime of failure and mediocrity". i.e. "Wind up working in a gas station"...
From: wilds@netcom.com (William D. Sterling)
  I recall, back in the 50's the big joke on the playground was to say:
  Look up (victim looks up)
  Look down (victim looks down)
  See my thumb? (victim nods "yes")
  You're dumb. (end of joke).
  To Album Refs
To Global Refs
Hey now, better make a decision.
Be a moron, and keep your position.
You oughta know now, all your education,
won't help you no-how.
From: Evil Bob <evilbob@tbag.tscs.com>
  In this sentence it is used in the sense of "anyhow" or "anyway". Many uneducated people in this country use the phrase "no-how" instead of "anyhow" or "anyway" as in the phrase "I don't care if the library burned down - I never went there no-how".
  To Album Refs
To Global Refs
Manny da camper wants to buy some white.
(Wind up workin' in a gas station)
From: hhf@euronet.nl (Anzoh Hay )
  From Society Pages #1 Interview with Frank Zappa pt. 1 12/22/89:
  Frank Zappa: Hello?! Hello?! Hello?!
  Den Simms: Here we go. (To Rob & Eric) So what was the thing you had said about "Manny the Camper" on the way here?
  Frank Zappa: He wants to buy some white. Manny the camper wants to buy some white. Ya wait long enough, all the songs come true.
  Eric Buxton: Who was the original Manny the camper? I know he wanted white gas, but who was he?
  Frank Zappa: Just anybody named Manny who had an RV, y'know.
  Eric Buxton: And here he is.
  Frank Zappa: Yeah, I'm sure he has an RV too. It's probably bulletproof. One more thing is maybe he'll return to Managua. You could go unnoticed in such a place (laughter).
  To Album Refs
To Global Refs

Manny da camper wants to buy some white.
(Wind up workin' in a gas station)
From: sweet@skat.usc.edu (Rob Sweet)
  The most mysterious line in the song was clarified for me on this newsgroup sometime back. It's Frank doing a pseudo-German accent saying:
  "Manny de camper wants to buy some white."
  Apparently a reference to white gas, something nearly every camper needs.
From: fnord@panix.com (Cliff Heller)
  It refers to white gas, which is something like propane that an RV would require. This is verified in the interview that the editors of Society Pages conducted with FZ.
From: Jack Fleming <JackF90000@aol.com>
  White gas is a fuel used in camp stoves & lanterns. It is basically pure gasoline (no poisonous additives like lead). Coleman was the manufacturer of gas stoves & lanterns.
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