Firestarter question

[Steffen König]

Hello everybody,

My name is Steffen and I'm from Germany. I have a question regarding the conversation between Andy and the taxi driver. Maybe somebody can help me out on this one.

Note the following paragraph from the book in chapter 1:

"So I drop you at the old Albany airport, and as far as Moms knows, you flew,
right?"
"Sure." His head was thudding.
"Also, as far as Moms knows, you're no plucka-plucka-plucka, am I four-oh?"
"Yes." Plucka-plucka-plucka? What was that supposed to mean?

(c) Stephen King, Firestarter

Could you explain what is meant by "plucka-plucka-plucka" and "am I four-oh"?

I think that "plucka-plucka..." is the imitation of a chicken implying that Andy is not the yellow kind of fella.

However, what is meant by "am I Four-oh"? Is it some kind of slang.

I hope you can shed some light in that matter. Thanks in advance!

Kind regards,

Steffen König

 

[FlakeNoir]

Welcome to the site, Steffen. I'll leave your questions to the U.S members who will likely have more of an idea than I.

 

[Bev Vincent]

Could you explain what is meant by "plucka-plucka-plucka" and "am I four-oh"?

I think that "plucka-plucka..." is the imitation of a chicken implying that Andy is not the yellow kind of fella.

However, what is meant by "am I Four-oh"? Is it some kind of slang.

As noted in the text you quote, even Andy is confused by the plucka bit, but I think the taxi driver is saying that Andy's ruse will hide the fact that he's afraid to fly, therefore a chicken.

Presumably, "am I four-oh" means "am I right?" but I'm not certain of the reference. It may be referring to a grade point average, where traditionally a 4.0 was the highest possible value, but that's just a guess.

 

[doowopgirl]

Welcome. Bev Vincent is right. Four-oh means am I right.

 

[GNTLGNT]

As noted in the text you quote, even Andy is confused by the plucka bit, but I think the taxi driver is saying that Andy's ruse will hide the fact that he's afraid to fly, therefore a chicken.

Presumably, "am I four-oh" means "am I right?" but I'm not certain of the reference. It may be referring to a grade point average, where traditionally a 4.0 was the highest possible value, but that's just a guess.

....I took it as an adaptation of the longstanding brevity codes used by law enforcement, military, CB radio users etc....i.e. 10-4 meaning "understood" or "message received loud & clear".....

 

[blunthead]

Welcome to the Board! Keep posting! I haven't read Firestarter, dammit!

 

[Dana Jean]

....I took it as an adaptation of the longstanding brevity codes used by law enforcement, military, CB radio users etc....i.e. 10-4 meaning "understood" or "message received loud & clear".....

me too

 

[not_nadine]

Welcome to the Board! Keep posting! I haven't read Firestarter, dammit!

You plucka-plucka-plucka?

 

[morgan]

 

[king family fan]

 

[GNTLGNT]

You plucka-plucka-plucka?

....oh, dat dares a good'un!....

 

[Spideyman]

Hi and welcome.

 

[Anduan Pirate Princess]

Hi!! Welcome!

 

[AToyStoryInCali]

Welcome

 

[Neesy]

Hello everybody,

My name is Steffen and I'm from Germany. I have a question regarding the conversation between Andy and the taxi driver. Maybe somebody can help me out on this one.

Note the following paragraph from the book in chapter 1:

"So I drop you at the old Albany airport, and as far as Moms knows, you flew,
right?"
"Sure." His head was thudding.
"Also, as far as Moms knows, you're no plucka-plucka-plucka, am I four-oh?"
"Yes." Plucka-plucka-plucka? What was that supposed to mean?

(c) Stephen King, Firestarter

Could you explain what is meant by "plucka-plucka-plucka" and "am I four-oh"?

I think that "plucka-plucka..." is the imitation of a chicken implying that Andy is not the yellow kind of fella.

However, what is meant by "am I Four-oh"? Is it some kind of slang.

I hope you can shed some light in that matter. Thanks in advance!

Kind regards,

Steffen König

Welcome Steffen - what all the other folks said above - plucka plucka plucka = chicken, 4-0 means "correct" (I thought of 10-4, too, when I heard it).

The movie was so-so, but the book was better (naturally).

 

[Kurben]

Hallo there. Enjoy the site and welcome!!

 

[danie]

Hallo there. Enjoy the site and welcome!!

What Kurt said ^.

 

[Steffen König]

Thanks for the warm welcome and the answers! You really helped me out.

 

[Debbie913]

Welcome to the SKMB. Good to have you here.

 

[blunthead]

....oh, dat dares a good'un!....