The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

We all know the expression "learning parrot fashion" and here is the proof :

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/154516546052 ... 1438.l2649

Is that photo "new" or "old"? The unclear listing states both. I'm guessing its a reproduction from an original.

Steve wrote: Sat Jul 03, 2021 6:38 am Is that photo "new" or "old"? The unclear listing states both. I'm guessing its a reproduction from an original.

The listing does seem to suggest it's old, but only one way to find out! Will report back when it arrives from Australia

It's a picture I've seen before though, so who knows

Seems original. The small board tells "Defense toucher...?" and the shop banner behind reads something about Fono. It makes me believe it is one of these old shops in the Seine banks in Paris....
Mmmm... that parrot perched at the top of the poor horn...

epigramophone wrote: Sat Jul 03, 2021 4:12 am We all know the expression "learning parrot fashion" ...

We do??? That has to be a British saying that is totally lost on us yanks... Oh well, I have to go - I'm feeling a bit peckish...

Inigo wrote: Sat Jul 03, 2021 9:51 am Seems original. The small board tells "Defense toucher...?" and the shop banner behind reads something about Fono. It makes me believe it is one of these old shops in the Seine banks in Paris....
Mmmm... that parrot perched at the top of the poor horn...

Probably "Defense de toucher les perroquets" = "Don't touch the parrots" (unless you want your finger bitten off)...

- Bill

Curt A wrote: Sat Jul 03, 2021 5:08 pm

epigramophone wrote: Sat Jul 03, 2021 4:12 am We all know the expression "learning parrot fashion" ...

We do??? That has to be a British saying that is totally lost on us yanks... Oh well, I have to go - I'm feeling a bit peckish...

The expression means learning words by repetition without understanding their meaning.
When a parrot "talks" it is simply repeating something it has heard many times.

Actually they imitate sounds. Where I used to spend the summer there was a house with a big porch with a parrot in it, al alone in the shade of the vine. It was absolutely amazing to stop by there some minutes, and listen to the parrot. It imitated human talking, the radio (with that characteristic tone of small radio receivers), a big door opening (that creeeeeaaagh noise) and many more things, strong whistles included. Amazing and very funny. A real variety show! A couple years ago it disappeared, and the house seems to be empty now.

epigramophone wrote: Sun Jul 04, 2021 4:26 am

Curt A wrote: Sat Jul 03, 2021 5:08 pm

epigramophone wrote: Sat Jul 03, 2021 4:12 am We all know the expression "learning parrot fashion" ...

We do??? That has to be a British saying that is totally lost on us yanks... Oh well, I have to go - I'm feeling a bit peckish...

The expression means learning words by repetition without understanding their meaning.
When a parrot "talks" it is simply repeating something it has heard many times.

"Learning Parrot fashion"...
Thanks for the explanation... it now makes perfect sense.
I knew it couldn't mean that humans were copying some chic clothing style developed by parrots...

I have a (repetitive and boring) record that is made to teach your parakeet to talk, it would match well with the photo, but unfortunately it is a lateral cut and would not play on the Pathé.