OP /the/ vs. /dhaN/ (fwd)

[Koontz John E]

On Wed, 19 May 2004, Rory M Larson wrote:
>   dhe'ta tHe oNs^na'be  ...  moNdhiN'k[a] uz^i'
>   'my navel is dirty    ...  it's filled with earth'
>     (and on to further speculation in English about growing
>      beans and potatoes in it)

This was certainly always my father's contention in regard to dirt behind
the ears when supervising bathing.  I remember being assured that if I
didn't wash better behind my ears I would soon find potatoes growing
there.