Fifth Column

[James A. Landau]

In a message dated 10/28/02 1:58:46 PM Eastern Standard Time,
hstahlke at WORLDNET.ATT.NET writes:

> Rather than doggerel, this sounds much more like rap, a form Ali was skilled
>  at.
>
>  > It will be a killer
>  > And a chiller
>  > And a thrilla
>  > When I get the gorilla
>  > In Manila.

The two are NOT mutually exclusive.  "Doggerel" refers to the literary
quality (or lack of it) of the verse being considered.  "Rap" refers to the
style of rhythm and melody.  The words of a given rap performance may
constitute a poem of high literary merit, or may constitute doggeral, but
either way the performance is "rap".

Oh, yes, a friend named Stan Rosenthal perpetrated the following
"It will be a killa in Manila," said Muhammed Ali, predictably.

      - Jim Landau