May 09, 2006

Once More, With Feeling

For over a year now the phrase 'once more, with feeling' has been niggling around in my brain, bothering me. It's a phrase used all over the place to evoke a sense of retrial, but with a further commitment this time. Headline writers love it like a familiar crutch to see them past their intellectual limps. But what, dear Jove, is its origin? Where did it come from?

I've queried Google without success. Nothing but references to Buffy the Vampire Slayer (who named an episode 'Once More With Feeling'), an article about What Makes People Gay? and various headlines around the world, including one in Australia with the snippet 'Fornicating with Mr. Darcy'.

So now I appeal to you, dear readers out there in the bittysphere. Anyone got anything?

As a reward, check out the sweet music of Joshua Radin. It's like good red wine for your ears.

Posted by James Sherrett at May 9, 2006 10:06 AM
Comments

I recall this line from a station liner a friend of mine made for the college radio station that I got my start at. "The Kentucky Fried Movie" had a part in it called "Fistfull of Yen". The character Loo had a phrase in it where he said that line, "Owunce more, with feewing." Tag on a station ID in front of that and you get some nice wit to it. :p

IMDB:
http://imdb.com/title/tt0076257/

It's a total spoof of a Bruce Lee flick, so maybe the origin lies with him even.

Posted by: John Bollwitt at May 9, 2006 12:06 PM

That's easy. It's a quote from Italy's most famous adult movie directors, Riccardo Schicchi, best known for such films as "Chocolate Bananas" and "Pornopoker II". Schicchi is widely respected for launching the film career of Hungarian Ilona 'Cicciolina' Staller -- who won a seat in the Italian parliment in the 1980s after campaigning nude. Da.

Posted by: Josh Skye at May 9, 2006 01:15 PM

Well, those are two, um, divergent contributions to the conversation. Yet still, no closer to the origin of the phrase 'once more, with feeling.'

Posted by: James at May 10, 2006 06:11 PM

Alright. Give up?
I'll give you two generous hints.
#1 Yul Brynner
#2 A former reporter who used to swig pints with Errol Flynn and Danny Kaye.

Posted by: Josh Skye at May 11, 2006 01:21 AM

How about, "I'm ready for my close-up, Mr. DeMille."

Am I getting warmer or are we going to carry on this eliptical charade?

Posted by: James at May 25, 2006 07:55 AM