Anne Elk's Theory on Brontosauruses
"Anne Elk's Theory on Brontosauruses" is a sketch from Episode 31 of Monty Python's Flying Circus, "The All-England Summarize Proust Competition" (1972).
The sketch features a television presenter (
This sketch was also performed on the album Monty Python's Previous Record, under the title 'Miss Anne Elk'. In this version, before she begins her second theory, the interviewer shoots her.
At Cleese's request, the sketch was performed as part of the team's 2014 live reunion show, Monty Python Live (Mostly), with Eric Idle playing the interviewer. This version concluded with an extended coughing fit, before linking to the "Dancing Teeth" animation.
The sketch inspired the concept of "Elk theories" to describe scientific observations that are not theories but merely minimal accounts.[2][3]
The character A. Elk and her "Theory of Brontosauruses" is used in the
References
- ISBN 0-679-72648-9.
- ^ John Mauldin (30 July 2014). "Anne Elk's Theory On Brontosauruses". The Market Oracle. Archived from the original on 31 July 2014. Retrieved 21 September 2022.
- ISBN 9780792342250.
- ^ Hume-Pratuch, Jeff (28 January 2010). "The Generic Reference". APA Style Blog. American Psychological Association.