Freudian Slip or Simple Misspelling?

John Schulte of Banning, whose daughter is a university psychology instructor, passed along this gem of a test answer from a student.

Question: “What is the name given to the practice of delaying sex until marriage?”

Answer: “Obstinance.”

Obviously a student who has been abstaining from use of the dictionary.

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IT ONLY COMES IN GREEN, THOUGH: While the debate over fur coats continues, Susan Tellem of Beverly Hills found a listing for a jacket (see accompanying) that shouldn’t infuriate anyone, except tree lovers. (And people who expect sale items to be reduced in price.)

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SOUNDS OF THE CITY: It wasn’t the smoothest of days for Lisa Osborn, an anchorwoman for KKTR (AM-1650), the all-traffic station. First, she became ensnared in a freeway tie-up on the Westside on the way to work (Even traffic reporters get stuck in traffic).

Then, while, she was delivering the news, she had to compete with the sound of a horn. Not an automobile horn. A French horn. Someone was rehearsing in the studio next to K-Traffic’s.

Osborn commented that the studios “aren’t as soundproof” as they’re reputed to be.

Anyway, the clash of cymbals would be more appropriate background sounds for an L.A. traffic show.

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THIRTY YEARS AGO TODAY: A widespread urban folk tale held that L.A. would slip into the Pacific Ocean after a major quake on Feb. 12, 1969. The rumor arose after the publication of “The Last Days of the Late, Great State of California,” by Curt Gentry.

The rock group Shango even came out with a Doomsday song, including these lyrics:

Do you know the swim?

You better learn quick, Jim.

Those who don’t know the swim

Better sing the hymn.

But the quake never occurred, and that’s a fact, Jack.

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BEARING UP: The Ventubear cult apparently is growing. I’m hearing from more drivers who have sighted the teddy bear stuck in high wires above the Ventura Freeway. Despite rain and high winds, the mascot of the 101 has steadfastly maintained its position, just east of the San Diego Freeway.

“I appreciate any sort of distraction,” said Associated Press reporter Jeff Wilson, who commutes between Oxnard and the L.A. bureau.

Christine Lloyd of Woodland Hills said her husband “called me two days in a row on his cell phone to tell me it was still up there. Can you imagine that? He’s using free minutes on the cell phone to tell me about a teddy bear?”

But Lloyd, marketing director of Gladstone’s 4 Fish, is a convert to the cause herself.

“I’m offering a free dinner for two to the person who brings the bear in,” she said. “There’s something about teddy bears. They’re so cute and cuddly. And Valentine’s Day is right around the corner. . . .”

miscelLAny:

Not to get all mushy, but I had to pass along some of the L.A.-type Valentine’s Day sentiments I found in a bag of candies (see photo).

Sad to say, I couldn’t find “LET’S DO LUNCH.”

Steve Harvey can be reached by phone at (213) 237-7083, by fax at (213) 237-4712, by e-mail at steve.harvey@latimes.com and by snail mail at L.A. Times, Times Mirror, Square, L.A. 90053.