This is the main bone of contention, Charles. I think that the traditional meaning of folk is pretty much accepted. It is when we get to what goes on around the edges that there arguments start. I have no idea if Nicotine Gal is an acceptable song at a folk club. Not my cup of tea but performed well it is witty and I would be happy with it. What about John Denver stuff? What about a folk club performer doing "Superstition" in a folk or blues style? What about Les Barker parodies? A lot of this is down to personal taste, regardless of how good (or bad!) it is. One thing I am with Dick on is that there are floor singers who should not be performing when people have paid to see a professional or semi-pro guest. At out club we accepted that some stuff on singers nights was an excuse to go to the bar ;-) That should not happen on guest nights.

So, back to the original question. Is folk a dirty four letter word because of poor performances at clubs? Maybe. Is it a dirty four letter word because the mainstream media mock (particulary) English traditions? Partly. Is it because there are too many introspective singer/songwriters? Could be. All the factors are in play and many more besides. My feeling is to ignore those who mock and just enjoy what I like :-)