yo, yo, yo

my slang addressed
12 December 2000

If you need the backstory, first read Dana's excellent entry and then you can read the continual backlash/debate over on three way action. If you don't feel like going elsewhere to read (but do read Dana's entry, it rules), here's the basic rundown:

Over the past couple of months I've been hearing quiet email complaints cursing me for my use of the word "yo." One visit to the forum will show you that it's become pretty popular lately. And apparently it's popping up in other journals and forums as well. Of course I didn't make the word up, but the trend has been credited to me. It's flattering, really, to think that catchphrases and slang can catch on like that through this community. But I mostly just wrote back to these people and quietly apologized for their own personal hells that they have created (by reading). It wasn't a public outcry before. Now it is.

And I don't want to become the Wayne's World of journalling. Or Beavis and Butthead. I don't want to be Dana Carvey. Kinda. No, it's okay.

But in my defense, my life is filled with slang. Filled with catchphrases and slang. Some have worked out, some have bitten the dust quite quickly. You might just be hearing "Yo" all of the time, but I live with Slap Happy Pappy. I'll explain. Here's a list of slang you could hear just about any day if you hung out in my apartment enough. Perhaps it'll fill you in on the Squishisms. Perhaps it'll help you out, like that day poor Toni couldn't understand the email conversation going on between me and stee. But I want you to see that I really don't originate most of the stuff here. It's pulled from lots of people and places and things. Okay, here's a list of the slang-- the good, the bad, and the nevergotanywhere.

• "Yo."-- The big one. Apparently. I don't even use it that much. And I use it here and in email much more than I write it. Ray often tries out sentences with the word "yo" and asks if he used it correctly. Obviously I had nothing to do with the creation of this word. I don't even remember when I started writing it. Seriously.

• "Science is Tight"-- This is from Mr. Show with Bob and David. One of my favorite sketches, mostly for the line, "Damn. His science is too tight!" which I'm not even sure if that's how it goes anymore. That's just how I remember it now. We laughed so hard and then started saying it to end an argument. Someone makes a good point and you know you're wrong, instead of saying, "You're right," which is a pussy way to end an argument, you just say, "Damn. You're science is too tight." You could also say, "Check out my tight science, yo." That's when you're bragging. I don't know. I'm really a weird girl.

• (nod your head yes. shake your head no. nod your head yes with big eyes. shake your head no with a squint. big eyes quick nod. slow shake of head with grave face)-- this is done in my apartment probably seventeen times a day. Completely ripped off from Eddie Izzard. If you haven't seen Eddie Izzard's "Dressed to Kill" do something about that immediately. It'll make your stomach hurt. I'm in awe of him.

• "jag"-- (also said as "ya jag") Pittsburghese. Eric's from Pittsburgh. He doesn't say jag without lots of irony. It's a funny word. You might hear Dennis Miller use it every once in a while, too. Used in place of "jack off." Must be said in full Pittsburgh accent for full effect.

• "every girl's your girlfriend"-- Kids of Widney High reference.

  I'm starting to sound like I'm explaining the lyrics to Paul's Boutique, here.

• "punk rock"-- to steal, or take advantage of something. Like, pulling quickly out into traffic when it's not your turn. "Punk rock the left here."

• "froggy's gone a courtin'"-- one of Eric's that never took off. Supposed to be like when someone's getting his schwerve on with another. Oh, I used more slang. Uh, when one person is trying to get the affections of another and said person is suddenly missing. "Where's Trejo?" "I don't know, but I think Froggy's gone a courtin'."

  Yeah, it just didn't catch on.

• "Nickelito"-- as in, "I'll be nickelito", also "nickeltito." Another creation of Eric's for playing pool. When you make a nickel ante.

• "JOHNNY!"-- said in huge exasperation like a fifties poodle skirt girl wishing her boy would come home. "When you comin' home, Johnny?!" Said when you miss your sweetheart, who is going out of town, or when discussing future distance. "I just booked my flight for next month." "JOHNNY!" "I know."

  Best used when it's late at night and you can lean up and scream into the moon.

  Not to be confused with "Aces, Johnny! Aces!" which is when you've got your gangster voice on. Another topic completely.