"There’s a *lot* of debates right now about what the master narrative of 2024 was, but one of them surely was “who gets to lay claim to America’s legacy?” Shaboozey featured heavily on Beyonce’s Cowboy Carter album, which raised this question in the cultural sphere at the year’s start; now that question is bookending the year, with Shaboozey himself at its center."
Thrilled to see not only that Laura went with my nomination of Shaboozey for NOTY, but also that she did such a beautiful and insightful write-up.
An aside on Shaboozey: A week or so ago, Shaboozey was the musical guest on the Graham Norton show. If you're not familiar with the show--on, I think, BBC America--you might check it out. It's a talk show where all the four or five guests are on the couch at the same time. They interact with Norton and with each other, and they are all famous for different things.
Anyway, when Shaboozey came out, I thought, "Oh boy. Another vaguely threatening rhyme guy." But no. I finally tagged the music I was hearing as "country" and vowed to pay more attention. I haven't yet, of course.
I’ve never approved of referring to female presidential candidates by their first names. It’s patronizing. Of course, we could decide to treat male candidates the same way. “After Bill dropped out, Donald won the election.”
I always learn something from your pieces, Nancy! And I’ve learned not to rush past the links elsewhere.
Country music is another world to me so Shaboozey was a new name. Great to read Laura Wattenberg’s piece on him, see the video and learn about “cultural fractals that twist and divide as you try to zoom in on them.” And Laura’s summing up of 2024 as “stay in your lane” was perfect.
I don’t get why Moo Deng (such a fun name) got co-opted for skin products. 🤪
Why do you think Fred the raccoon was underreported compared to P’nut? Because they didn’t kill him? Too bad the takeaway wasn’t that neither one should be pets. Rabies, people. Wild. life.
Lots of other fun name facts. There should be a name for us sports ignoramuses (ignorami?). I look to you to invent one…
Re Moo Deng: Glassy, "poreless" skin has been a beauty fad for several years. It has gone by various names ("glass skin," etc.); "Moo Deng skin" is the latest.
That was super fun!
Thanks, Benjamin!
Last month I wrote on Namerology:
"There’s a *lot* of debates right now about what the master narrative of 2024 was, but one of them surely was “who gets to lay claim to America’s legacy?” Shaboozey featured heavily on Beyonce’s Cowboy Carter album, which raised this question in the cultural sphere at the year’s start; now that question is bookending the year, with Shaboozey himself at its center."
Thrilled to see not only that Laura went with my nomination of Shaboozey for NOTY, but also that she did such a beautiful and insightful write-up.
Well done!
An aside on Shaboozey: A week or so ago, Shaboozey was the musical guest on the Graham Norton show. If you're not familiar with the show--on, I think, BBC America--you might check it out. It's a talk show where all the four or five guests are on the couch at the same time. They interact with Norton and with each other, and they are all famous for different things.
Anyway, when Shaboozey came out, I thought, "Oh boy. Another vaguely threatening rhyme guy." But no. I finally tagged the music I was hearing as "country" and vowed to pay more attention. I haven't yet, of course.
I’ve never approved of referring to female presidential candidates by their first names. It’s patronizing. Of course, we could decide to treat male candidates the same way. “After Bill dropped out, Donald won the election.”
I always learn something from your pieces, Nancy! And I’ve learned not to rush past the links elsewhere.
Country music is another world to me so Shaboozey was a new name. Great to read Laura Wattenberg’s piece on him, see the video and learn about “cultural fractals that twist and divide as you try to zoom in on them.” And Laura’s summing up of 2024 as “stay in your lane” was perfect.
I don’t get why Moo Deng (such a fun name) got co-opted for skin products. 🤪
Why do you think Fred the raccoon was underreported compared to P’nut? Because they didn’t kill him? Too bad the takeaway wasn’t that neither one should be pets. Rabies, people. Wild. life.
Lots of other fun name facts. There should be a name for us sports ignoramuses (ignorami?). I look to you to invent one…
Re Moo Deng: Glassy, "poreless" skin has been a beauty fad for several years. It has gone by various names ("glass skin," etc.); "Moo Deng skin" is the latest.