Hell. Ripple – I don’t care

[tonbei]

I have a question about the following sentences from a novel.

It was quarter of one when I walked into the lobby of the Office of the
Chief Medical Examiner, or OCME, as it was called. Benton Wesley was
fifteen minutes early and sitting on the couch reading the Wall Street
Journal.
“Hope you got something to drink in that bag,” he said drolly, folding
the newspaper and reaching for his briefcase.
“Wine vinegar. You’ll love it.”
“Hell. Ripple – I don’t care. Some days I’m so desperate I fantasize the
water cooler outside my door’s full of gin.”
“Sounds like a waste of imagination to me.”
("Post Mortem " by Patricia Cornwell, p96)

context (or situation): Kay Scarpetta, the fist-person narrator and
the chief medical examiner, has been walking into the lobby of her
office to find Benton Wesley, FBI agent, already in.

question: about "Hell. Ripple – I don’t care"
Does this mean: "I don't want to drink such an inexpensive wine as
Ripple". or
"I don't mind Ripple. I'll drink that.

Which is right?

[Hibou]

Post by tonbei
I have a question about the following sentences from a novel.
It was quarter of one when I walked into the lobby of the Office of the
Chief Medical Examiner, or OCME, as it was called. Benton Wesley was
fifteen minutes early and sitting on the couch reading the Wall Street
Journal.
“Hope you got something to drink in that bag,” he said drolly, folding
the newspaper and reaching for his briefcase.
“Wine vinegar. You’ll love it.”
“Hell. Ripple – I don’t care. Some days I’m so desperate I fantasize the
water cooler outside my door’s full of gin.”
“Sounds like a waste of imagination to me.”
("Post Mortem " by Patricia Cornwell, p96)
context (or situation):  Kay Scarpetta, the fist-person  narrator and
the chief medical examiner, has been walking into the lobby of her
office to find Benton Wesley, FBI agent, already in.
question: about "Hell. Ripple – I don’t care"
Does this mean: "I don't want to drink such an inexpensive wine as
Ripple".  or
"I don't mind Ripple.  I'll drink that.
Which is right?

I think it means he'll drink anything, even Ripple.

Ripple is new to me. It seems it was "a fortified wine, a wine to which
alcohol is added to give it a greater kick, which reached its zenith of
popularity in the 70’s" -
<http://oldartguy.com/An_Ode_to_Ripple.html>

[Snidely]

Hibou pounded on thar keyboard to tell us

Post by Hibou

Post by tonbei
I have a question about the following sentences from a novel.
It was quarter of one when I walked into the lobby of the Office of the
Chief Medical Examiner, or OCME, as it was called. Benton Wesley was
fifteen minutes early and sitting on the couch reading the Wall Street
Journal.
“Hope you got something to drink in that bag,” he said drolly, folding
the newspaper and reaching for his briefcase.
“Wine vinegar. You’ll love it.”
“Hell. Ripple – I don’t care. Some days I’m so desperate I fantasize the
water cooler outside my door’s full of gin.”
“Sounds like a waste of imagination to me.”
("Post Mortem " by Patricia Cornwell, p96)
context (or situation):  Kay Scarpetta, the fist-person  narrator and
the chief medical examiner, has been walking into the lobby of her
office to find Benton Wesley, FBI agent, already in.
question: about "Hell. Ripple – I don’t care"
Does this mean: "I don't want to drink such an inexpensive wine as
Ripple".  or
"I don't mind Ripple.  I'll drink that.
Which is right?

I think it means he'll drink anything, even Ripple.
Ripple is new to me. It seems it was "a fortified wine, a wine to which
alcohol is added to give it a greater kick, which reached its zenith of
popularity in the 70’s" -
<http://oldartguy.com/An_Ode_to_Ripple.html>

Two notes:

1) "Hell" is just an introductory exclamation, with the suggestion that
what follows is a lower level than what is being responded to. Lower
level in this case is the quality of the wine.

2) ISTR Ripple as being very cheap, and appealing to young people and
to those who drink from brown paper bags (that is, homeless
alcoholics).

/dps

[Chris Elvidge]

Post by Hibou

Post by tonbei
I have a question about the following sentences from a novel.
It was quarter of one when I walked into the lobby of the Office of the
Chief Medical Examiner, or OCME, as it was called. Benton Wesley was
fifteen minutes early and sitting on the couch reading the Wall Street
Journal.
“Hope you got something to drink in that bag,” he said drolly, folding
the newspaper and reaching for his briefcase.
“Wine vinegar. You’ll love it.”
“Hell. Ripple – I don’t care. Some days I’m so desperate I fantasize the
water cooler outside my door’s full of gin.”
“Sounds like a waste of imagination to me.”
("Post Mortem " by Patricia Cornwell, p96)
context (or situation): Kay Scarpetta, the fist-person narrator and
the chief medical examiner, has been walking into the lobby of her
office to find Benton Wesley, FBI agent, already in.
question: about "Hell. Ripple – I don’t care"
Does this mean: "I don't want to drink such an inexpensive wine as
Ripple". or
"I don't mind Ripple. I'll drink that.
Which is right?

I think it means he'll drink anything, even Ripple.
Ripple is new to me. It seems it was "a fortified wine, a wine to which
alcohol is added to give it a greater kick, which reached its zenith of
popularity in the 70’s" -
<http://oldartguy.com/An_Ode_to_Ripple.html>

Please don't denigrate fortified wine - see Sherry, Port etc.

[Hibou]

Post by Chris Elvidge

Post by Hibou

Post by tonbei
Which is right?

I think it means he'll drink anything, even Ripple.
Ripple is new to me. It seems it was "a fortified wine, a wine to
which alcohol is added to give it a greater kick, which reached its
zenith of popularity in the 70’s" -
<http://oldartguy.com/An_Ode_to_Ripple.html>

Please don't denigrate fortified wine - see Sherry, Port etc.

Right-ho, wilco. (I was only quoting.)

[Aidan Kehoe]

Post by Hibou

Post by Chris Elvidge

[...] Ripple is new to me. It seems it was "a fortified wine, a wine to
which alcohol is added to give it a greater kick, which reached its
zenith of popularity in the 70’s" -
<http://oldartguy.com/An_Ode_to_Ripple.html>

Please don't denigrate fortified wine - see Sherry, Port etc.

Right-ho, wilco. (I was only quoting.)

A counter-denigration is the existence of Buckfast, a fortified wine with added
caffeine that is favoured drink of asocial teenagers in Scotland, Northern
Ireland and much of the Republic of Ireland. “Buckfast gets you fucked fast” is
the motto of this demographic.

[Sam Plusnet]

Post by Aidan Kehoe

Post by Hibou

Post by Chris Elvidge

[...] Ripple is new to me. It seems it was "a fortified wine, a wine to
which alcohol is added to give it a greater kick, which reached its
zenith of popularity in the 70’s" -
<http://oldartguy.com/An_Ode_to_Ripple.html>

Please don't denigrate fortified wine - see Sherry, Port etc.

Right-ho, wilco. (I was only quoting.)

A counter-denigration is the existence of Buckfast, a fortified wine with added
caffeine that is favoured drink of asocial teenagers in Scotland, Northern
Ireland and much of the Republic of Ireland. “Buckfast gets you fucked fast” is
the motto of this demographic.

I'm sure that was the whole purpose of the monks who produce it.

P.S. Can anyone explain the following?

"Buckfast Tonic Wine is a fortified wine aperitif with an alcohol
content of 15% by volume in the UK version and 14.8% in the Republic of
Ireland version."

What's 0.2% between friends?

[Janet]

In article <Dl%6P.9182$***@fx17.iad>, ***@home.com
says...

Post by Sam Plusnet

Post by Aidan Kehoe

Post by Hibou

Post by Chris Elvidge

[...] Ripple is new to me. It seems it was "a fortified wine, a wine to
which alcohol is added to give it a greater kick, which reached its
zenith of popularity in the 70?s" -
<http://oldartguy.com/An_Ode_to_Ripple.html>

Please don't denigrate fortified wine - see Sherry, Port etc.

Right-ho, wilco. (I was only quoting.)

A counter-denigration is the existence of Buckfast, a fortified wine with added
caffeine that is favoured drink of asocial teenagers in Scotland, Northern
Ireland and much of the Republic of Ireland. ?Buckfast gets you fucked fast? is
the motto of this demographic.

I'm sure that was the whole purpose of the monks who produce it.
P.S. Can anyone explain the following?
"Buckfast Tonic Wine is a fortified wine aperitif with an alcohol
content of 15% by volume in the UK version and 14.8% in the Republic of
Ireland version."
What's 0.2% between friends?

Different rates of Excise duty?

Janet

[Aidan Kehoe]

Post by Janet
says...

Post by Sam Plusnet
"Buckfast Tonic Wine is a fortified wine aperitif with an alcohol
content of 15% by volume in the UK version and 14.8% in the Republic of
Ireland version."
What's 0.2% between friends?

Different rates of Excise duty?

That’s likely it. The rate for still wine exceeding 15% volume is much higher
than that between 5.5% and 15%, and the 0.2% should keep it under 15% for any
spot-checks.

https://www.revenue.ie/en/companies-and-charities/excise-and-licences/excise-duty-rates/alcohol-products-tax.aspx

[Athel Cornish-Bowden]

Post by Aidan Kehoe

Post by Hibou

Post by Chris Elvidge

[...] Ripple is new to me. It seems it was "a fortified wine, a wine to
which alcohol is added to give it a greater kick, which reached its
zenith of popularity in the 70’s" -
<http://oldartguy.com/An_Ode_to_Ripple.html>

Please don't denigrate fortified wine - see Sherry, Port etc.

Right-ho, wilco. (I was only quoting.)

A counter-denigration is the existence of Buckfast, a fortified wine with added
caffeine that is favoured drink of asocial teenagers in Scotland, Northern
Ireland and much of the Republic of Ireland. “Buckfast gets you fucked fast” is
the motto of this demographic.

OK, but not of the chaps who make it. I used to have one-third of a
house within walking distance (if you're young and fit and can walk for
two or three hours) of Buckfast Abbey. I've been there twice (or maybe
three times), mainly to visit the Abbey, not to get fucked.
Incidetally, although some of the local people may pronounce the -fast
like the word "fast", many do not: for them the a is a schwa. Buck-
does rhyme with "fuck", however.

[J. J. Lodder]

Post by tonbei
I have a question about the following sentences from a novel.
It was quarter of one when I walked into the lobby of the Office of the
Chief Medical Examiner, or OCME, as it was called. Benton Wesley was
fifteen minutes early and sitting on the couch reading the Wall Street
Journal.
"Hope you got something to drink in that bag," he said drolly, folding
the newspaper and reaching for his briefcase.
"Wine vinegar. You'll love it."

Scarpetta is being sarcastic. Wine vinegar contains no alcohol
and is not suitable for drinking. For culinary purposes only.

Post by tonbei
"Hell. Ripple – I don't care. Some days I'm so desperate I fantasize the
water cooler outside my door's full of gin."

Wesley is just swearing, and indicating the degree of his addiction.
He'll drink anything alcoholic.

Post by tonbei
"Sounds like a waste of imagination to me."
("Post Mortem " by Patricia Cornwell, p96)

More sarcasm from Scarpetta.

Post by tonbei
context (or situation): Kay Scarpetta, the fist-person narrator and
the chief medical examiner, has been walking into the lobby of her
office to find Benton Wesley, FBI agent, already in.
question: about "Hell. Ripple – I don't care"
Does this mean: "I don't want to drink such an inexpensive wine as
Ripple". or
"I don't mind Ripple. I'll drink that.
Which is right?

Neither. Wine vinegar is not Ripple,
and there is nothing else available,

Jan

[wugi]

Post by J. J. Lodder

Post by tonbei
I have a question about the following sentences from a novel.
It was quarter of one when I walked into the lobby of the Office of the
Chief Medical Examiner, or OCME, as it was called. Benton Wesley was
fifteen minutes early and sitting on the couch reading the Wall Street
Journal.
"Hope you got something to drink in that bag," he said drolly, folding
the newspaper and reaching for his briefcase.
"Wine vinegar. You'll love it."

Scarpetta is being sarcastic. Wine vinegar contains no alcohol
and is not suitable for drinking. For culinary purposes only.

Post by tonbei
"Hell. Ripple – I don't care. Some days I'm so desperate I fantasize the
water cooler outside my door's full of gin."

Wesley is just swearing, and indicating the degree of his addiction.
He'll drink anything alcoholic.

Post by tonbei
"Sounds like a waste of imagination to me."
("Post Mortem " by Patricia Cornwell, p96)

More sarcasm from Scarpetta.

Post by tonbei
context (or situation): Kay Scarpetta, the fist-person narrator and
the chief medical examiner, has been walking into the lobby of her
office to find Benton Wesley, FBI agent, already in.
question: about "Hell. Ripple – I don't care"
Does this mean: "I don't want to drink such an inexpensive wine as
Ripple". or
"I don't mind Ripple. I'll drink that.
Which is right?

Neither. Wine vinegar is not Ripple,
and there is nothing else available,

Wine vinegar was a sarcastic description of the Ripple.
"Wijnazijn", our word for cheap or sour wine, or any wine in an ironic
dialogue...

[J. J. Lodder]

Post by wugi

Post by J. J. Lodder

Post by tonbei
I have a question about the following sentences from a novel.
It was quarter of one when I walked into the lobby of the Office of the
Chief Medical Examiner, or OCME, as it was called. Benton Wesley was
fifteen minutes early and sitting on the couch reading the Wall Street
Journal.
"Hope you got something to drink in that bag," he said drolly, folding
the newspaper and reaching for his briefcase.
"Wine vinegar. You'll love it."

Scarpetta is being sarcastic. Wine vinegar contains no alcohol
and is not suitable for drinking. For culinary purposes only.

Post by tonbei
"Hell. Ripple – I don't care. Some days I'm so desperate I fantasize the
water cooler outside my door's full of gin."

Wesley is just swearing, and indicating the degree of his addiction.
He'll drink anything alcoholic.

Post by tonbei
"Sounds like a waste of imagination to me."
("Post Mortem " by Patricia Cornwell, p96)

More sarcasm from Scarpetta.

Post by tonbei
context (or situation): Kay Scarpetta, the fist-person narrator and
the chief medical examiner, has been walking into the lobby of her
office to find Benton Wesley, FBI agent, already in.
question: about "Hell. Ripple – I don't care"
Does this mean: "I don't want to drink such an inexpensive wine as
Ripple". or
"I don't mind Ripple. I'll drink that.
Which is right?

Neither. Wine vinegar is not Ripple,
and there is nothing else available,

Wine vinegar was a sarcastic description of the Ripple.

Possibly, but I doubt that you are right.
Ripple tends to be excessively sweet, vinegar is not.

Post by wugi
"Wijnazijn", our word for cheap or sour wine, or any wine in an ironic
dialogue...

Mistaken obviously.
Wine vinegar can be a quality product, and far more expensive
than an average wine. [1]
You can't make me believe that 'Balsamico'
would be unknown in your (supposedly culinary) parts of the world.

BTW, Scarpetta's culinary exploits are well known.
For example
<https://www.amazon.com/Food-Die-Secrets-Scarpettas-Kitchen/dp/0425193624>
Her use of 'wine vinegar' here is just a literally true description
of what she has in her shopping bag.
(and it will have cost -a lot- more than Wesley's Ripple)

Jan
(what a relief, on-topic again)

[wugi]

Post by J. J. Lodder

Post by wugi

Post by J. J. Lodder

Post by tonbei
I have a question about the following sentences from a novel.
It was quarter of one when I walked into the lobby of the Office of the
Chief Medical Examiner, or OCME, as it was called. Benton Wesley was
fifteen minutes early and sitting on the couch reading the Wall Street
Journal.
"Hope you got something to drink in that bag," he said drolly, folding
the newspaper and reaching for his briefcase.
"Wine vinegar. You'll love it."

Scarpetta is being sarcastic. Wine vinegar contains no alcohol
and is not suitable for drinking. For culinary purposes only.

Post by tonbei
"Hell. Ripple – I don't care. Some days I'm so desperate I fantasize the
water cooler outside my door's full of gin."

Wesley is just swearing, and indicating the degree of his addiction.
He'll drink anything alcoholic.

Post by tonbei
"Sounds like a waste of imagination to me."
("Post Mortem " by Patricia Cornwell, p96)

More sarcasm from Scarpetta.

Post by tonbei
context (or situation): Kay Scarpetta, the fist-person narrator and
the chief medical examiner, has been walking into the lobby of her
office to find Benton Wesley, FBI agent, already in.
question: about "Hell. Ripple – I don't care"
Does this mean: "I don't want to drink such an inexpensive wine as
Ripple". or
"I don't mind Ripple. I'll drink that.
Which is right?

Neither. Wine vinegar is not Ripple,
and there is nothing else available,

Wine vinegar was a sarcastic description of the Ripple.

Possibly, but I doubt that you are right.

I see sufficient parallels with our ironic use of the word.

Post by J. J. Lodder
Ripple tends to be excessively sweet, vinegar is not.

That doesn't matter in this respect.

Post by J. J. Lodder

Post by wugi
"Wijnazijn", our word for cheap or sour wine, or any wine in an ironic
dialogue...

Mistaken obviously.
Wine vinegar can be a quality product, and far more expensive
than an average wine. [1]

Yes, but not wine turned sour.

Post by J. J. Lodder
You can't make me believe that 'Balsamico'
would be unknown in your (supposedly culinary) parts of the world.

Well known of course. Not my cup of vinegar, though.

Post by J. J. Lodder
BTW, Scarpetta's culinary exploits are well known.
For example
<https://www.amazon.com/Food-Die-Secrets-Scarpettas-Kitchen/dp/0425193624>
Her use of 'wine vinegar' here is just a literally true description
of what she has in her shopping bag.

Then where do you place Wesley's remark "Hell. Ripple" when shown the
content?

[jerryfriedman]

Post by wugi

Post by J. J. Lodder

Post by wugi

Post by J. J. Lodder

Post by tonbei
I have a question about the following sentences from a novel.
It was quarter of one when I walked into the lobby of the Office of the
Chief Medical Examiner, or OCME, as it was called. Benton Wesley was
fifteen minutes early and sitting on the couch reading the Wall Street
Journal.
"Hope you got something to drink in that bag," he said drolly, folding
the newspaper and reaching for his briefcase.
"Wine vinegar. You'll love it."

Scarpetta is being sarcastic. Wine vinegar contains no alcohol
and is not suitable for drinking. For culinary purposes only.

Post by tonbei
"Hell. Ripple – I don't care. Some days I'm so desperate I fantasize the
water cooler outside my door's full of gin."

Wesley is just swearing, and indicating the degree of his addiction.
He'll drink anything alcoholic.

Post by tonbei
"Sounds like a waste of imagination to me."
("Post Mortem " by Patricia Cornwell, p96)

More sarcasm from Scarpetta.

Post by tonbei
context (or situation): Kay Scarpetta, the fist-person narrator and
the chief medical examiner, has been walking into the lobby of her
office to find Benton Wesley, FBI agent, already in.
question: about "Hell. Ripple – I don't care"
Does this mean: "I don't want to drink such an inexpensive wine as
Ripple". or
"I don't mind Ripple. I'll drink that.
Which is right?

Neither. Wine vinegar is not Ripple,
and there is nothing else available,

Wine vinegar was a sarcastic description of the Ripple.

Possibly, but I doubt that you are right.

I see sufficient parallels with our ironic use of the word.

Post by J. J. Lodder
Ripple tends to be excessively sweet, vinegar is not.

That doesn't matter in this respect.

I think it does. V. infra.

Post by wugi

Post by J. J. Lodder

Post by wugi
"Wijnazijn", our word for cheap or sour wine, or any wine in an ironic
dialogue...

Mistaken obviously.
Wine vinegar can be a quality product, and far more expensive
than an average wine. [1]

Yes, but not wine turned sour.

Post by J. J. Lodder
You can't make me believe that 'Balsamico'
would be unknown in your (supposedly culinary) parts of the world.

Well known of course. Not my cup of vinegar, though.

Mine either. An excellent way to make vinegar even worse
is to include sugar, whether the sugar was added or
was there from the start.

Post by wugi

Post by J. J. Lodder
BTW, Scarpetta's culinary exploits are well known.
For example
<https://www.amazon.com/Food-Die-Secrets-Scarpettas-Kitchen/dp/0425193624>
Her use of 'wine vinegar' here is just a literally true description
of what she has in her shopping bag.

Then where do you place Wesley's remark "Hell. Ripple" when shown the
content?

It's a bit of a non sequitur. Scarpetta's statement
that she has wine vinegar says Wesley wouldn't want the
"drink" in her bag because it has no alcohol and would
taste bad if drunk by itself. Wesley responds only to
the part about tasting bad; he says he can be so desperate
for alcohol that the taste doesn't matter.

No Ripple or anything like it is physically present.

--
Jerry Friedman

--

[Janet]

Post by wugi

Post by J. J. Lodder
BTW, Scarpetta's culinary exploits are well known.
For example
<https://www.amazon.com/Food-Die-Secrets-Scarpettas-Kitchen/dp/0425193624>
Her use of 'wine vinegar' here is just a literally true description
of what she has in her shopping bag.

Then where do you place Wesley's remark "Hell. Ripple" when shown the
content?

He's being droll, as the author already said
" "Hope you got something to drink in that bag," he
said drolly",

It's humour. They are both joking.

Janet

[J. J. Lodder]

Post by wugi

Post by J. J. Lodder

Post by wugi

Post by J. J. Lodder

Post by tonbei
I have a question about the following sentences from a novel.
It was quarter of one when I walked into the lobby of the Office of the
Chief Medical Examiner, or OCME, as it was called. Benton Wesley was
fifteen minutes early and sitting on the couch reading the Wall Street
Journal.
"Hope you got something to drink in that bag," he said drolly, folding
the newspaper and reaching for his briefcase.
"Wine vinegar. You'll love it."

Scarpetta is being sarcastic. Wine vinegar contains no alcohol
and is not suitable for drinking. For culinary purposes only.

Post by tonbei
"Hell. Ripple – I don't care. Some days I'm so desperate I fantasize the
water cooler outside my door's full of gin."

Wesley is just swearing, and indicating the degree of his addiction.
He'll drink anything alcoholic.

Post by tonbei
"Sounds like a waste of imagination to me."
("Post Mortem " by Patricia Cornwell, p96)

More sarcasm from Scarpetta.

Post by tonbei
context (or situation): Kay Scarpetta, the fist-person narrator and
the chief medical examiner, has been walking into the lobby of her
office to find Benton Wesley, FBI agent, already in.
question: about "Hell. Ripple – I don't care"
Does this mean: "I don't want to drink such an inexpensive wine as
Ripple". or
"I don't mind Ripple. I'll drink that.
Which is right?

Neither. Wine vinegar is not Ripple,
and there is nothing else available,

Wine vinegar was a sarcastic description of the Ripple.

Possibly, but I doubt that you are right.

I see sufficient parallels with our ironic use of the word.

Post by J. J. Lodder
Ripple tends to be excessively sweet, vinegar is not.

That doesn't matter in this respect.

Post by J. J. Lodder

Post by wugi
"Wijnazijn", our word for cheap or sour wine, or any wine in an ironic
dialogue...

Mistaken obviously.
Wine vinegar can be a quality product, and far more expensive
than an average wine. [1]

Yes, but not wine turned sour.

But it may be. Some wine vinegars -are- obtained by making wine go sour.
Expensive wines even, to make expensive vinegars.
You can even do it at home.

Post by wugi

Post by J. J. Lodder
You can't make me believe that 'Balsamico'
would be unknown in your (supposedly culinary) parts of the world.

Well known of course. Not my cup of vinegar, though.

Post by J. J. Lodder
BTW, Scarpetta's culinary exploits are well known.
For example
<https://www.amazon.com/Food-Die-Secrets-Scarpettas-Kitchen/dp/0425193624>
Her use of 'wine vinegar' here is just a literally true description
of what she has in her shopping bag.

Then where do you place Wesley's remark "Hell. Ripple" when shown the
content?

Just an exclamation, mild swear words,

Jan