This is a repeat of a post from a year ago. October 2nd is the birthday of Groucho Marx, born Julius Henry Marx in 1890. In celebration, I propose a national Walk Like Groucho Day, to be held on this date annually. Everybody walks like Groucho, or we line 'em up against the wall and Pop goes the weasel!
How do you walk like Groucho? You just squat and scuttle, taking long strides, not as extreme as a duck-walk and not as athletic as a Silly Walk. If you can wear a tail coat that flaps behind you so much the better. I've included this chart which illustrates Newton's 2nd Law of Motion (Force = Mass x acceleration), and shows ground reaction forces measured in various strides and different types of footwear. Please note the looping blue line labeled "Groucho". I'm sure this'll help you a whole lot. The chart was taken from Dr. Chris Kirtley's site Clinical Gait Analysis http://www.univie.ac.at/cga/. (You can't propose a day of national celebration without some kind of scientific & academic support.)
So quick everybody! Squat 'n' Scuttle!
It's also Wash Post Genius Gene Weingarten's birthday! I detect a theme, and it may not be in the way they walk.
does gene also paint on his moustache?
ReplyDeleteThe older I get, the more I naturally assume a Groucho-esque gait.
ReplyDeleteGot to watch a long Groucho interview from the early Dick Cavette show (pre- '70s hair) while on the treadmill at the gym today. It was great, and Groucho sang "Lydia the Tattooed Lady." It was great!
I highly recommend his "Letters" book.