grungegate

About 20 years ago, the New York Times decided to let its readers in on the world of Grunge music. They wrote an article about it, and called up Sub Pop Records in Seattle, the origin of most grunge music to add some "what these kids are saying" flair to their article. Unfortunately, when the author of the article called, they were put through to Megan Jasper, who had some fun at their expence. Too bad the New York Times didn't do any fact-checking...

"LEXICON OF GRUNGE: BREAKING THE CODE

All subcultures speak in code; grunge is no exception. Megan Jasper, a 25-year-old sales representative at Caroline Records in Seattle, provided this lexicon of grunge speak, coming soon to a high school or mall near you:

WACK SLACKS: Old ripped jeans

FUZZ: Heavy wool sweaters

PLATS: Platform shoes

KICKERS: Heavy boots

SWINGIN' ON THE FLIPPITY-FLOP: Hanging out

BOUND-AND-HAGGED: Staying home on Friday or Saturday night

SCORE: Great

HARSH REALM: Bummer

COB NOBBLER: Loser

DISH: Desirable guy

BLOATED, BIG BAG OF BLOATATION: Drunk

LAMESTAIN: Uncool person

TOM-TOM CLUB: Uncool outsiders

ROCK ON: A happy goodby"

The original New York Times article can be found here. I haven't read it all, because it was so lame and the writer was such a cob nobbler. You should let me know how good/bad it is if you can actually get through it.

And here is the npr website, where I first heard of this article. It was on their show "Wait, Wait...Don't Tell Me!" and it is absolutely hilarious. Please, please listen if you can get a moment. It's the "Not my job" segment.