M. R. wrote something involving onomatopoeia. It got me to thinking.
There comes a time when little boys come to a metaphorical fork in the road, and they must choose between three metaphorical diverging paths. (Poor Robert Frost. He probably never stops spinning in his grave. I bet we could hook up his spinning bones to a turbine and produce enough electricity for a small loft apartment.) Group A chooses to play air drums along with its favorite music. Group B chooses to play air guitar along with its favorite music. Group C looks at Groups A & B with a mild hatred. I was in Group C. Duh.
As members in Group A develop their skills, they learn to play their air drums apart from music, and often they play for a member of Group C. So that this despising - elevated from mildly hating - Group C Member understands the rhythm in Group A Member’s head, Group A Member will simulate the sound of drums. This never works, and Group C Member turns from despising to loathing.
The diversity of different sound effects made by any Group A Member is only limited by imagination. My Group A friend/roommate in college said “dooooshhh” to simulate the snare drum - I think it was the snare drum; I didn’t really give him my full attention. While he was making his little noises, I was thinking of ways to break his mouth.
Dooooshhh.
Dooooshhh.
Dooooshhh.
Bum-bum-bum.
Dooooshhh-dooooshhh-dooooshhh.
That’s right. I’m realizing my roommate in college said douche a lot. Before it was cool. Actually, he was being a dork when saying douche. At least his girlfriend and I thought so. Which brings up this idea of the effect of time on the cultural reception of a given subject/phrase/word.
I think that deserves a Keanu-Whoa.
m_rturnage | 12-Mar-08 at 4:33 pm | Permalink
Did your old roommate sing the lyrics when making these noises?
Because all that is coming to mind is inappropriate versions of song lyrics.
Like this one:
You (dooosh!)
Soft and only (buh-dooosh!)
You (dooosh!)
Lost and lonely (buh-dooosh!)
You (dooosh!)
Just like heaven (dooooooooosh!)
MagnusFromBerlin | 12-Mar-08 at 4:36 pm | Permalink
my new co-worker, he’s not stopping at air something. he likes to sing-a-long, in high pitch voices nonetheless, whenever something is playing (but not limited to those occasions). You haven’t experienced oral hell until you have heard his falsetto versions of “Books from Boxes” or “Someone Great”. Not that I’m complaining… no wait, yes I am. With 22 his larynx should have grown to it’s intended size, so that he can at least sing in a decent voice, like baritone.
alex | 12-Mar-08 at 4:51 pm | Permalink
M. Robert with the steal!
Magnus, I love to sing along. I guess I left out that group.
And now I have to listen to The Cure.
Junior | 12-Mar-08 at 10:14 pm | Permalink
I, uh, sing along as well, but I also do the backup vocals and sometimes the guitar part. It rocks in my head.
karlwinslow | 13-Mar-08 at 7:28 pm | Permalink
i was in the group that actually learned how to play guitar……..and then pursued to rock people’s socks off.
MagnusWhoCantFindHisPasswordBecauseItIsOnHisOtherComputer | 14-Mar-08 at 11:33 am | Permalink
It’s not a question of singing along, it’s a question of tone (very high = evil; lower spectrum = acceptable).