“I am Psmith," said the old Etonian reverently. "There is a preliminary P before the name. This, however, is silent. Like the tomb. Compare such words as ptarmigan, psalm, and phthisis.”P.G. Wodehouse book Psmith, JournalistSource: Psmith, Journalist
“He pointed diagonally across the lake with a ski-pole, to where a broad slope of pine trees covered with frost shone golden in the sun."Do you know what those black lumps on the branches of that pine are?""Aren't they just heath-grouse? Kauko looked in the direction indicated by his brother's ski pole."Just heath-grouse!" Auku shouted. "Just heath-grouse! It's a wonder you didn't say just chickadees! You're some hunter, you are. Those are ptarmigan, genuine hook-beaked ptarmigan, and like damned blockheads, we have to be without a gun.""You're starting to make a habit of cursing." Kauko was a little annoyed at the sharpness of his brother's eyes and was not quite willing to admit that he was right."The word 'damn' isn't cursing.""What is it then? And there's no proof that those are ptarmigan." "Hmh!" Kauko heard a laugh behind him. "We'd be carrying a lot more rabbits and birds back to the house if I did the snaring. "You can't even get a permit to carry a gun yet," said Kauko."Who cares about permits? If I can't get a permit to carry a gun, then I'll drag it along behind me. Do you need a permit for that too?" "Don't be smart."”Kalle Päätalo (1919–2000) Finnish novelistKalle Päätalo (1960), Our Daily Bread: A Novel, p. 67Bird, Tree, Sun, Housing
