[Maeniel]

[Asa]

I think that this is still somewhat topic-related, and not as purely stylistic as some other challenges you've given us. Anyway, we'll see how this goes.
_________________
Self-styled Forum Grandmother, because I hand out nicknames and hugs whether you want them or not. ^_^

Keeper of the Library and the Gateway to Haven

Nem: "It's the sort of face you just know is getting ready to poke you with something sharp."
BS: "...then insist you eat a brownie."
__________________
If we shadows have offended,
Think but this and all is mended...
Give me your hands if we be friends,
And Robin shall restore amends.

[Asa]

Ok, that's good enough for me. ^_^
_________________
Self-styled Forum Grandmother, because I hand out nicknames and hugs whether you want them or not. ^_^

Keeper of the Library and the Gateway to Haven

Nem: "It's the sort of face you just know is getting ready to poke you with something sharp."
BS: "...then insist you eat a brownie."
__________________
If we shadows have offended,
Think but this and all is mended...
Give me your hands if we be friends,
And Robin shall restore amends.

[Maeniel]

Ninja-baleeted...sorry, I thought that my post might have been unwarranted, mean, or snarky. But since you already replied/saw it, here's what I said.

[Asa]

Would The Screwtape Letters, by CS Lewis, also be a good example of ostranenie?
_________________
Self-styled Forum Grandmother, because I hand out nicknames and hugs whether you want them or not. ^_^

Keeper of the Library and the Gateway to Haven

Nem: "It's the sort of face you just know is getting ready to poke you with something sharp."
BS: "...then insist you eat a brownie."
__________________
If we shadows have offended,
Think but this and all is mended...
Give me your hands if we be friends,
And Robin shall restore amends.

[Maeniel]

I haven't had a chance to read that, but from what Wiki says, it would be.
_________________
Keeper of Zaebos' and Jormand's powers.

[Tenshi]

I'm not sure that I would classify The Screwtape Letters as ostranenie, myself. That said, there are plenty of examples of it in other genres than science fiction, though science fiction tends to lend itself best to it. When we consider ostranenie, we think about familiar things becoming unfamiliar. Thus it is much easier to more forward in time than backward, and the familiar becomes unfamiliar through aliens, time warps, seeing a lost civilization (or OUR lost civilization), and so on. However, it could be argued that anthropology almost exclusively deals with ostranenie. We do our best to reconstruct a culture based simply on what we find, when in fact what we believe to be an exotic necklace may only be a toilet seat (to use my sociology professor's favorite example). It's similar to the topic at hand, except in this case we're the ones familiar with it, trying to describe it (without explaining it) to someone who has never seen either a necklace OR a toilet seat.

BTW, I didn't find your reply mean, really. Then again, my basis for comparison is a bit more potent.
_________________
. Dubbed "Usagi" by AsA .
Keeper of the Siderean Swords

"If by chance some day you're not feeling well, and you should remember some silly thing I've said or done, and it brings back a smile to your face or a chuckle to your heart, then my purpose as your clown has been fulfilled."
Red Skelton

[Talps]

[Maeniel]

[Talps]

Ooh, sounds intriguing!
_________________

Dubbed reversquee.
Talps = Splat reversed. Splat = Squee

[Asa]

I am coming up totally blank. I don't want to repeat any of the suggestions already given because that's like cheating, but I can't think of anything!
_________________
Self-styled Forum Grandmother, because I hand out nicknames and hugs whether you want them or not. ^_^

Keeper of the Library and the Gateway to Haven

Nem: "It's the sort of face you just know is getting ready to poke you with something sharp."
BS: "...then insist you eat a brownie."
__________________
If we shadows have offended,
Think but this and all is mended...
Give me your hands if we be friends,
And Robin shall restore amends.

[spellingmistax]

You and me both
_________________
"He gave you a life and you should cherish that treasure." - Benny

while Udina asked the usual inane civilian things that came about while under attack: "What's happening? Who is shooting at us? I'm squishy and not wearing armor and I'm a liability, get me to safety, etc.
dubbed Anthrax by Asa
Spellingmistax = mistax = ax = anthrax

[Tenshi]

Here's a tip, pick up something nearby. Totally random something, something you normally take for granted. Now, examine it in every possible detail. The curvature of it, the spindles, the spikes, the colors, the patterns... ANYTHING about it, now take all of that... and look at it again. Try and figure out what it would be for, if it had to be for anything other than what it really was for. Be creative, make wild guesses. Now, what else could you say to describe the thing?

That exercise has helped me in my writing several times, in trying to explain something that's not in the normal world.
_________________
. Dubbed "Usagi" by AsA .
Keeper of the Siderean Swords

"If by chance some day you're not feeling well, and you should remember some silly thing I've said or done, and it brings back a smile to your face or a chuckle to your heart, then my purpose as your clown has been fulfilled."
Red Skelton

[Asa]

I have discovered my idea! It's a little bit different from your more physical example, Usa, and inspired by the "U @ 50" second place winner that's gotten so much attention.

I wrote a play like that once, actually. I won't say what it's about because that wouldn't help Ax, but it does follow Usa's latest example. Unless Ax wants me to, of course.
_________________
Self-styled Forum Grandmother, because I hand out nicknames and hugs whether you want them or not. ^_^

Keeper of the Library and the Gateway to Haven

Nem: "It's the sort of face you just know is getting ready to poke you with something sharp."
BS: "...then insist you eat a brownie."
__________________
If we shadows have offended,
Think but this and all is mended...
Give me your hands if we be friends,
And Robin shall restore amends.

[spellingmistax]

Is this the sort of thing you mean? Thaco explains cheese.
http://goblins.keenspot.com/d/20070128.html