> Here is an interesting article. Curiously, I heard about it on the
> radio yesterday as I was coming into work.
>
> http://content.health.msn.com/content/article/71/81366.htm
>
>
Absolutely nothing new about the phenomenon. It's based on an NYT article,
no doubt published as filler to close the content gaps created by the loss
of Jayson Blair.
And as usual, the Grey Lady is noting an old, old phenomenon and calling it
"new". These types have been around for CENTURIES. They were particularly
visible and influential in Louisian France, and Georgian and Regency
England. Less enlightened ages referred to said males -- I won't dignify
them with the title "men" -- as "sissies," "lounge lizards," and
"precieuses" (the last is from the Louisian era).
In closing, I'll quote the great Ray Davies of the Kinks (it takes one to
know one!) from a 1966 song:
The Kinks -
Dedicated Follower of Fashion
They seek him here, they seek him there,
His clothes are loud, but never square.
It will make or break him so he's got to buy the best,
'Cause he's a dedicated follower of fashion.
And when he does his little rounds,
'Round the boutiques of London Town,
Eagerly pursuing all the latest fads and trends,
'Cause he's a dedicated follower of fashion.
Oh yes he is (oh yes he is), oh yes he is (oh yes he is).
There's one thing that he loves and that is flattery.
One week he's in polka-dots, the next week he is in stripes.
'Cause he's a dedicated follower of fashion.
They seek him here, they seek him there,
In Regent Street and Leicester Square.
Everywhere the Carnabetian army marches on,
Each one an dedicated follower of fashion.
Oh yes he is (oh yes he is), oh yes he is (oh yes he is).
His world is built 'round discoteques and parties.
This pleasure-seeking individual always looks his best
'Cause he's a dedicated follower of fashion.
Oh yes he is (oh yes he is), oh yes he is (oh yes he is).
He flits from shop to shop just like a butterfly.
In matters of the cloth he is as fickle as can be,
'Cause he's a dedicated follower of fashion.
He's a dedicated follower of fashion.
He's a dedicated follower of fashion.
Received on 2003-07-30 10:51:49