The Imported Ticky-Two (Part 2)

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Below: Page 21


Well the laffs just keep on rolling! (Little boxy imported laffs, that is.)

If you remember back to part one of this Ticky-Two series, I begged the question: "What in the hell is 'Ticky-Two' supposed to mean anyway?". Well, not in those words exactly, but you get the gist.

Happily, Wiseman Blog reader Jonathan Miller may have supplied the answer. He suggested:

"Hi Bill. I suspect it's a reference to this song from the '60s about boxy, tiny, boring houses in the suburbs "all made up of ticky-tacky." The car is basically a tiny cardboard box with wheels, which is pretty much how imports were seen at the time! :-)

"Hope this helps!"

Yes, Jonathan, actually it helps a lot! Sounds like a pretty probable explanation to me. Thanks!

That song, Little Boxes, was written by social activist Malvina Reynolds in 1963 and covered by a number of folk singers (including Pete Seeger).

And Phillip gave additional possible inspirations for the name Ticky-Two:

"Maybe also inspired by the Citroen "Deux Chevaux" or 2CV, which had been around for quite a while in 1971 but was certainly notorious for being pretty crappy. Also, "Ticky-Two" sorta makes me think of Toyota. Same number of syllables, same first letter, and it makes more sense chronologically."

Thank you also, Phillip!

Wait, why am I reposting all this when you could just read it in the comments section of "Ticky-Two (part 1)"? Oh well...

The Imported Ticky-Two:
Part 1/Part 2/Part 3/Part 4/Part 5/Part 6/Part 7