Hello
humans and happy Thanksgiving. The holiday-theme continues in this
week’s column, but before you go griping that there’s only one
question, remember, tofurkeys don’t brine themselves. Plus, Fairdale
Bigfoot is helping his dear auntie prepare for her hibernation (booze
cruise) in Florida.Enjoy your turkey, but save Fairdale Bigfoot a drumstick and Istanbul.
FB,
I
send out invites every year for a New Year’s shindig that my wife and I
host, and each year I try to find a word that would indicate the
festivity level of a *PARTY!* but the attendance level of a
get-together. We hope for that good-times party atmosphere but can’t
bear to disappoint those who arrive and only find a smallish, low-key
gathering of intelligent and funny people who aren’t expressively
making fools of themselves or getting naked.
send out invites every year for a New Year’s shindig that my wife and I
host, and each year I try to find a word that would indicate the
festivity level of a *PARTY!* but the attendance level of a
get-together. We hope for that good-times party atmosphere but can’t
bear to disappoint those who arrive and only find a smallish, low-key
gathering of intelligent and funny people who aren’t expressively
making fools of themselves or getting naked.
And
while I have you, what’s the minimum number of people required before
you call an event a party? Or does it depend on the amount of booze and
visible skin? No offense, of course on the “visible skin” remark. I’m
sure you like to party.
while I have you, what’s the minimum number of people required before
you call an event a party? Or does it depend on the amount of booze and
visible skin? No offense, of course on the “visible skin” remark. I’m
sure you like to party.
Socially-Anxious Partyanimal
Dear SAP,
So you’re throwing a party but you don’t have enough friends for an all-out bash?
First
of all, it’s not the size of the party that matters, but the spirit.
(You thought Fairdale Bigfoot would make some filthy, size-related
double-entendre, didn’t you?)
of all, it’s not the size of the party that matters, but the spirit.
(You thought Fairdale Bigfoot would make some filthy, size-related
double-entendre, didn’t you?)
To
keep those Yuletide (or Shulltide) feelings flowing, try starting the
party with a simple game. Perhaps have one person tape the name of a
celebrity, literary figure or notable local sasquatch on guests’ backs
as they arrive. The guests must then play a “20 questions” style game
with each other to figure out the name. Give the winners a prize. This
will loosen the mood right off the bat (to loosen the clothes off a
bat, you’ll need 5 ounces of gin, a very tiny glass and a bossa nova
record).
keep those Yuletide (or Shulltide) feelings flowing, try starting the
party with a simple game. Perhaps have one person tape the name of a
celebrity, literary figure or notable local sasquatch on guests’ backs
as they arrive. The guests must then play a “20 questions” style game
with each other to figure out the name. Give the winners a prize. This
will loosen the mood right off the bat (to loosen the clothes off a
bat, you’ll need 5 ounces of gin, a very tiny glass and a bossa nova
record).
But to directly answer your question, Fairdale Bigfoot will whip out a thesaurus.
Let’s see:
Gathering – Too pretentious
Function – Too formal
Affair – Too torrid
Celebration – Too obvious
Festivity – See “Gathering”
Carousal – Too torrid in a Victorian way
Frolic – Implies leaving the house
Soiree – Too hip
Shebang – Not hip enough
Wingding – Too font-y
Fete – Too exotic
Well, those are all the major synonyms for party. Perhaps Fairdale Bigfoot should buy an unabridged thesaurus.
Perhaps
you should avoid a word with any standard connotations. Fairdale
Bigfoot suggests you invite the two friends you have to a “Holiday
Junta.” This not only implies a certain jauntiness, but gives the
visitors a sense of violence while also showing off your radical
left-leaning politics, you evil Leninist.
you should avoid a word with any standard connotations. Fairdale
Bigfoot suggests you invite the two friends you have to a “Holiday
Junta.” This not only implies a certain jauntiness, but gives the
visitors a sense of violence while also showing off your radical
left-leaning politics, you evil Leninist.
Pardon
Fairdale Bigfoot for referencing his favorite comedy show, Glenn Beck’s
Sunshine-Time Smile Hour…or something like that.
Fairdale Bigfoot for referencing his favorite comedy show, Glenn Beck’s
Sunshine-Time Smile Hour…or something like that.
Sincerely,
Fairdale Bigfoot
November 25, 2009
Fairdale Bigfoot