Staff Blog
The New York Times breaks down Jersey Shore language
posted by Holly Otterbein
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| Courtesy of MTV |
You decide if it’s offensive or not. (And yes, we realize this is strangely, sickly similar to the UPenn blog that broke down the Na’vi language from Avatar a few days ago.):
• The Jersey Shore n. 1. A 130-mile stretch of New Jersey coastline from Sandy Hook in the north to Cape May in the south. 2. A meeting ground where “Guidettes†[see entry] encounter tanned and muscular “Guidos†[see entry] at nightclubs for dancing and making out before returning to the Jacuzzi [see entry]. Also: The Shore.
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• Hair, Men Hair is usually worn short (buzzer attachment No. 2 on the sides and No. 3 on top) with the edges well defined along the hairline. For slightly longer hair (cf Pauly D. and Ronnie), a regimen of hair care involving a brush, a blow-dryer, two hours and a strong hair gel is needed. Styles include the duck-spined faux hawk, sported by Ronnie, and the Malignaggi, a style in which the hair lies like a mesa above the brow, made popular by the boxer Paulie Malignaggi.
• Hair, Women During the day, hair is usually worn long and straightened, often dyed black or highlighted. At night, a high “pouf†is obligatory.
• Guido [m], Guidette [f], n. Originally an ethnic slur against Italian immigrants to America, since Guido was a common Italian Christian name (cf the Florentine poet Guido Cavalcanti, the Benedictine music theorist Guido d’Arezzo, the graphic artist Guido Silvestri), the term has been reappropriated, Judith Butler-style, by some Italian-Americans along the Jersey Shore [see entry] and now refers to a complex of aesthetic and moral choices made by young Italian-Americans. Among the values espoused by the self-described “Guidos†of “Jersey Shoreâ€: heavy tanning, muscular definition, a labor-intensive toiletry regimen, family and hooking up.
Damn you, NYTimes, you beat me to it. I’ve been observing the natural migration patterns and comlex behavior/mating rituals of the Seasonal Guido in their summer habitats of Manasquan, Point Pleasant and Belmar, NJ, for the past four years.
Last year, one of my guests, sporting the classic guido Affliction bedazzled T-shirt, exaggerated trapezius and broiled dermis of the N. Jersey species, said to me:
“You ain’t from Jersey, huh? You look different from these Jersey girls… uh, WHOLESOME-like, yeah, ‘dats it!”
I say this with love and respect, being Italian-American myself.
[...] The New York Times breaks down Jersey Shore langauge :: Critical … [...]
An excellent restaurant to hang out!!
Ok…I know I am a foodie and have travelled quite a bit and been to lot many places but the one city which is always an extension of mine is undoubtedly New York. I am proud to wear my Nike NY cap and cheer my Basketball team without fail. I have been to almost all the food joints, restaurants, pubs and bars located in Manhattan and I must say they all are pretty good considering this age of twittering and Face book wherein if you fail once your name pops up on all the social networking websites with negative comments. This is a welcome change becoz ultimately we the customers become the king as shoddy service or bad quality food can easily land the owners into trouble.
But the one place which has succeeded in amazing me is the newly refurbished Restaurant named Point Break. Formerly named as Nation Restaurant & Bar, Point Break is a new Surf Bar located in the heart of mid-town Manhattan. Now I remember sometime back I had been to this place when it had the old look and feel and I thought ok..seems to be an average place..what’s the big deal? But even during my last visit when it was still in its old shape it served me excellent food and the service was razor sharp. So last Saturday when one of my friend threw a party and told me the venue to be a swanky new outlet which he was speaking so highly about I thought ok..let’s try this one too. When he told me about the address I wasn’t sure it was the same place but when I reached there the whole look and feel from Outside was changed and once I entered in, the earlier known Nation was truly looking like a break from the past and hats off this guy, I don’t remember the name of the owner, but he has rightly renamed it as Point Break!! It appeals to the newer generation guys like me. We had a great time there. The menu featured old classics and new additions. I loved the wheel o’ shots which made me crazy!! I had the fish tacos which was delicious..yummeee and it has got plenty of room for parties, the DJ that they had was great, excellent sound system as well and the drinks were strong and I had a look at the menu and thought the prices were pretty good.
Guys on top of it the next day when I searched this place on the internet, this restaurant has a Face book page too wherein they post photos and updates of recent happenings/parties and upcoming events/parties/offers too. They tweet also which is really nice thinking by the owner.
Anyways not wanting to sound like a paid blogger I would say as a foodie this restaurant is a nice one and I would not hesitate to give my recommendation for it to my guests coming in from out of town. Go and try once and do not hesitate to leave a comment once you are there. I know I am only going to get thumbs up from you all!!!
Ciao…
John Smith, NYC
Way to advertise a Surf Bar with a corny name (RIP Patrick Swayze) on the Jersey Shore post.
I trusted you John Smith…
-Pocahontas