Sometimes, while taking part in an online forum the discussion things and comments can spin out of context, or a post and comment might be made that's "Beyond the Pale".

In other words, totally unacceptable:

( Quote:

A pale is originally a stake of the kind which might make up a palisade, or enclosure. The uncontrolled territory outside was then “beyond the pale.” The expression “beyond the pale” came to mean “bizarre, beyond proper limits”; but people who don’t understand the phrase often alter the last word to “pail.”

The area of Ireland called “the Pale” inside the Dublin region formerly controlled by the British is often said to have been the inspiration for this expression, but many authorities challenge that explanation. Source: http://www.wsu.edu/~brians/errors/pale.html

END QUOTE)

My search for a "friendly" icon to infer that things had got "out-of-control" drew a blank.

So, I made my own smilie icon of "The Straw that Broke the JACK'S Camel's Back"

The image pauses for 10 seconds and then loops. It took me ages to configure this and camel-wank it down to less than 3k.

ANNE, May, Shun... and she sure DOES! Shun, that is!

There is ABSOLUTELY NO COPYRIGHT restrictions if you want to use the ABOVE smilie on your web site, blog or email.

The same goes for this "clean" version, but it would be really good if you linked back to THIS page.

Clean Version of "The Straw that Broke the Camel's Back"

A full explanation of how this animation was built can be seen on to the next page of this post.

More About The Expression:

The straw that broke the camel's back is the last thing you are willing to accept after which you will not put up with any more.

Example (to the wife):

"You broke a lot of plates, never cleaned or did the ironing, burnt a LOT of meals, made love like a wild animal (on Friday nights, after a glass of stout); I tried to live with it.

But DEMANDING I increase my penis size by hanging Gordie Brown's Portrait on my Knob; this was the straw that broke the camel's back.

(NOTE: If you do HAVE a portrait of the new Prime Mini-ster (Wee Gordie)... PLEASE do NOT use it for penis enlargement. The statement above was a STATEMENT not a joke... awe... bollixs did I get that mixed up??

Anyway, just throw the dammed thing away.)

You are at the last straw when you are just about to lose your patience.

The straw that broke the camel's back is the last thing that that happened that finally made you upset.

Example (political):

"Wee Prime Minister Gordie Brown wants to be the next "Cromwell" and return to the age when "witch burning" was acceptable. During the recent floods, Wee Gordie forgot about the NORTH of England and made sure the money stayed in the SOUTH!"

Reply: "That will (probably/hopefully) be the straw that broke the camel's back."

There is a limit to how much stuff a camel can carry on its back. If you keep putting more stuff on top, it will finally break the camel's back.

When you are at the last straw you are finally angry and will not take any more.

Example (Brit to tight-fisted Aussie drinking partner):

"Mate, I've been buying the FIRST and LAST round of drinks for FORTY FIVE years.

I've had ENOUGH.

You've reached the last straw!

Wallet out, or the Camel GETS IT!"

The list of Aussie's failing to stand their "round" MIGHT be short and ONLY unique to JACK!

I have modified the original Straw that Broke the Camel's Back examples.

Full text can be found here:

http://www.goenglish.com/2009.asp
GoEnglish.com Pocket English Idioms

The second part of this article explains "How to animate a camels tits"

Just How Did "Jack" Animate a Full Beasted, Broken Backed Camel - in the NUDE?

OK, Bushie... not satisfied with "typing in the nude"? NOW you want to spread the rumour I "ANIMATE in the NUDE"... Mate, we need to go fishing!

This is a small screenshot of the animation process:

Click the image to get a much clearer image.

Image Ready (the animation software) was a stand-alone "free" product about five years ago. I think you'll find the same thing in PhotoShop... and that WILL cost you BIG time money.

I've kept things simple to ensure a low download file size (less than 3k) and only used a few layers and animation frames.

In a star rating - this animation would be worth:

The full size image of my developer screen probably explains all. However, if you need tips and help: Sign-up for the JackC Question Forum!

Finally... almost the LAST STRAW to this post:

One of the earliest usages of this phrase was in Charles Dickens' Dombey and Son where he says "As the last straw breaks the laden camel's back", meaning that there is a limit to everyone's endurance, or everyone has his breaking point.

Gordie... take note!

I enjoyed doing this research.

Jack

My next question to answer: Why is England now ruled by a BROWN Scottish Cromwell?