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Although always prepared for martyrdom, I preferred that it should be postponed.


First, a definition:
Budgie Smugglers
A male bathing costume that encloses the wearer's genitalia in a manner that resembles the concealment of a budgerigar.

The establishment that I feature above, Budgie Smugglers, is a takeaway joint that can be found on Collins Street here in Hobart. As the name suggests, they no doubt consider themselves a funky dive.

It is Theme Thursday you see. Today's theme is a word that sends shivers up my spine: FUNKY.

Funky, you see, is a loaded term. Of course, those etymologists amongst us will recognise the root from the Latin, fetid; that is, offensively malodorous. 'A foul odour', if you will. It is certainly what I think when someone starts getting funky on my arse.

That is because funky is a dated term that is meant to denote something stylish and modern in an unconventional way. As with most things, this terribly unconventional tendency is now a convention. Thus, all those I know who have embraced funky as both a word and a style, have a tendency to confuse funkiness with a surfeit of the colour purple, most commonly found in the form of funky purple shawls, funky purple velour fabric pants and funky purple carry bags.

So, in this sense, funky is most certainly not cool. It is not different, interesting or indeed unconventional.

To me, funky hints at hormone replacement therapy, middle aged marital breakdowns and brief flirtations with lesbianism. In this manner, funky people generally end up drinking far too much red wine, becoming angrily teary at the drop of a hat, and is ultimately a bitter and fruitless fusion of finding one's self and cold self-denial.

All dressed in purple, no less.

Comments

smudgeon said…
People are looking at me, because everyone's just a little freaked by a man in his late 20s giggling to himself at his desk.

Any use of the word funky has always brought on a cringe. The people who use said word as a self descriptor (for themselves in general, or their clothing/hat/shawl/hacky sack/car/flat/etc) set my teeth on edge while I'm cringing.

Violence might not be the solution, but a man can dream...
Miles McClagan said…
Funky people inevitably like to, shudder, "ham it up"....

Nothing chills my bones than a photo tagged as "so and so ham it up..."

I have to turn the page
Tom said…
big feathered hats and fringe...yeah, get the funk out! That's the definition to a T.
KL said…
hahaha...hilarious. But lets talk about something important - FOOD. What sort of food do you get from there? Please elaborate on Australian cuisine.
Baino said…
I always figured only black people can say funky and get away with it . .is that racist? Probably.
Jill said…
Hmmm, I am wondering if this funky eating establishment has a good menu?? AND, what their specialty would be!
Leah said…
Okay, you are hilariously brilliant.

I only think of funk music when I hear the word "funky." But you've taken it to a whole other level...I can happily say I've never used the word as an adjective, only thought it...
kylie said…
i like purple
Anonymous said…
Interesting thoughts here, Kris. I rather like your explanation at bottom. Nicely updated!
Wings1295 said…
How... interesting... Never heard of them before, those Budgie Smugglers. And not sure I want to! hahahaha Fun post!
Dreamhaven said…
Giggle away, it makes people wonder. They all need a little exercise of the grey matter anyway.
Brian Miller said…
you always take me to places i never thought the theme would go.
Chris Wolf said…
kudos, loved it
Kat Mortensen said…
Budgie Smugglers! Now I've heard everything! That is hysterical!

Kat
Now that is a name for a takeaway lol I'll take it!!

xoxo
Ed & Jeanne said…
Thank you...I knew I never wore purple for a reason...
Kris McCracken said…
Me, giggling is a very funky action (provided it is fuelled by too much red wine, with Joni Mitchell or Carole King on the Hi_Fi).
Kris McCracken said…
Miles, people who "ham it up" should be turned into bacon. That's my firm belief.
Kris McCracken said…
Tom, that sounds like a Detroit pimp to me...
Kris McCracken said…
KL, I think that it is a burger joint. I have heard that they do beef, steak, lamb, salmon, roo, venison and more.

I'm holding out for croc.
Kris McCracken said…
Baino, black or African-American?
Kris McCracken said…
Jill, they do come recommended. I have not been, alas.
Kris McCracken said…
Leah, I only use it in an "ironic" sense.

That said, we live in a "post-ironic" time. Hence Paris Hilton.
Kris McCracken said…
Kylie, my thoughts are with you.
Kris McCracken said…
Subtorp77, thank you.

I run the risk, of course, of alienating many menopausal women.
Kris McCracken said…
Wings, the small male brief at the beach has never been a good look. For one, here in Tasmania the water is far too cold!
Kris McCracken said…
Dreamhaven, brains are ugly things.
Kris McCracken said…
Brian, as long as you make it back in one piece!
Kris McCracken said…
Chris, I can rest easy now!

;)
Kris McCracken said…
Poetikat, for Australian terms for the swimsuit, I prefer budgie smugglers to dick stickers.
Kris McCracken said…
Marianna, get in before they trademark it!
Kris McCracken said…
Megan, fantastic!
Kris McCracken said…
VE, it was once the colour of royalty. Now it has been usurped by ageing feminists...
The Silver Fox said…
Wow, you really took that topic and ran with it!
Now, that was a funky post.
lettuce said…
now it IS interesting that funky is o purple, good and most entertaining analysis kris.
Kris McCracken said…
Silver Fox, one does try.
Kris McCracken said…
Lettuce, I didn't even go into the link between sexual dysfunction and the colour purple.
Kris McCracken said…
Liza, I take that as a great insult...

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