Corrections from Seattle
posted by jp 吉平
Just a couple of errata:
In my post "Hello, Non-Brown America" I included an outline of my three points; in my outline, I included a shorthand subtitle "no more fractions," which at least one cherished reader read as "don't ever use fractions ever again." I regret this subtitle and have removed it.
My point was never "don't use fractions ever again." Use fractions all you want! My point was that fractions are an expression of pedigree rather than ethnic heritage and identity.
So if you want to hang me, you have to claim that fractions ARE an expression of ethnic heritage and identity. In my world, it's more respectful to list ethinic heritages whole, rather than give an equation.
But if saying fractions helps you get through your day, I'm not going to stop you!
______
Much hay has been made regarding "Ay! Sticky vagina!" I would like to clarify that only my Auntie A has been known to say this, it's not a widespread phenomena that all Filipinos go around saying when they, for example, drop their Walkmans. However, Auntie A's unique expression only makes sense in a vaginocentric culture. Although I am amused that many of you have decided to incorporate this expression into your own daily lives, I want to just say that you are on your own. I am in no way advocating for use of this phrase in your homes, places of work, or houses of worship.
That said, my mama has written in to tell me that Auntie A's famous phrase is, in fact, "Ay! Huge vagina!" The words for "huge" and "sticky" being very similar in Tagalog. My mama is probably right. I don't know if this makes more sense to Tagalog speakers or less; either way, my cousins and I find her unique exclamation extremely charming.
I know the difference between "huge" and "sticky" and I could swear that all my life I've heard her say "sticky." I mean, I have a Master's Degree in Linguistics; my phonemic perception is pretty damn sharp. (Update: Mama says that the "sticky" word also carries a "sweet" connotation, so "sticky-sweet" like suman, which is sweet rice steamed in with coconut milk in a banana leaf. Mmm!)
Regardless, whether you believe me or my mama, the word for "vagina" is puki (stress the first syllable). It's NOT a dirty or degrading word, but I must admit that it added an extra depth to our readings of Jim Davis' Garfield and Friends.
Come to think of it, my cousin did get in trouble with Grandma when she skipped around the house with alternate lyrics of Cookie Monster's C is for Cookie... Of course she was singing P is for puki, that's good enough for me, oh! Puki puki puki starts with P!
Somehow, Grandma found that inappropriate.
Oh, we're so colorful, I can hardly stand it.
In my post "Hello, Non-Brown America" I included an outline of my three points; in my outline, I included a shorthand subtitle "no more fractions," which at least one cherished reader read as "don't ever use fractions ever again." I regret this subtitle and have removed it.
My point was never "don't use fractions ever again." Use fractions all you want! My point was that fractions are an expression of pedigree rather than ethnic heritage and identity.
So if you want to hang me, you have to claim that fractions ARE an expression of ethnic heritage and identity. In my world, it's more respectful to list ethinic heritages whole, rather than give an equation.
But if saying fractions helps you get through your day, I'm not going to stop you!
______
Much hay has been made regarding "Ay! Sticky vagina!" I would like to clarify that only my Auntie A has been known to say this, it's not a widespread phenomena that all Filipinos go around saying when they, for example, drop their Walkmans. However, Auntie A's unique expression only makes sense in a vaginocentric culture. Although I am amused that many of you have decided to incorporate this expression into your own daily lives, I want to just say that you are on your own. I am in no way advocating for use of this phrase in your homes, places of work, or houses of worship.
That said, my mama has written in to tell me that Auntie A's famous phrase is, in fact, "Ay! Huge vagina!" The words for "huge" and "sticky" being very similar in Tagalog. My mama is probably right. I don't know if this makes more sense to Tagalog speakers or less; either way, my cousins and I find her unique exclamation extremely charming.
I know the difference between "huge" and "sticky" and I could swear that all my life I've heard her say "sticky." I mean, I have a Master's Degree in Linguistics; my phonemic perception is pretty damn sharp. (Update: Mama says that the "sticky" word also carries a "sweet" connotation, so "sticky-sweet" like suman, which is sweet rice steamed in with coconut milk in a banana leaf. Mmm!)
Regardless, whether you believe me or my mama, the word for "vagina" is puki (stress the first syllable). It's NOT a dirty or degrading word, but I must admit that it added an extra depth to our readings of Jim Davis' Garfield and Friends.Come to think of it, my cousin did get in trouble with Grandma when she skipped around the house with alternate lyrics of Cookie Monster's C is for Cookie... Of course she was singing P is for puki, that's good enough for me, oh! Puki puki puki starts with P!
Somehow, Grandma found that inappropriate.
Oh, we're so colorful, I can hardly stand it.
Posted at 9:56 PM
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