Folklore: DO DAH DAY

Subject: Folklore: DO DAH DAY
From: LadyJean
Date: 24 Jun 06 - 11:09 PM

I just saw a poster for it, and I thought I would pass along the news. On July 1, Allegheny Cemetery, in Pittsburgh's Lawrenceville section, will be honoring it's most famous resident, Stephen Foster with, so help me Hannah! Do Dah Day. There will be bands, a free picnic, and a tour of the cemetery. Festivities commence at noon.
Foster isn't the only notable interred in Allegheny. Lillian Russell is also entombed among the city's late great. And the infamous Harry Thaw can be found among his family.
Yeah, I think it's weird too.

Subject: RE: Folklore: DO DAH DAY
From: Leadfingers
Date: 25 Jun 06 - 04:49 AM

I wonder if they are aware what 'Doo Dah' can mean in UK !!

Subject: RE: Folklore: DO DAH DAY
From: Azizi
Date: 25 Jun 06 - 10:43 AM

LadyJean, that's interesting.

I guess I should read the local paper or check out Pittsburgh's news from time to time. I live less than 5 minutes away from Stephen Foster's birthplace, and I hadn't heard of that event.

I'm going to be out of town that day, but it would have been interesting to see how that day went...

And, Leadfingers, I'm assuming that Doo-Dah in the UK is the same as Doo-Doo in the USA.

I don't think that Doo-Dah name will go over well in the US either because of that reason and also because of other words that are similar to it {"Doo"=hairdo=hair style; doo-dahs=trinkets; "doing the do=sexual intercourse"..etc etc etc.

Besides "Do Dah Day" just sounds so babyish and uncool.

In my opinion, of course.

I wonder how much money a consultant got to come up with that doozy.

Subject: RE: Folklore: DO DAH DAY
From: Uncle_DaveO
Date: 25 Jun 06 - 12:08 PM

I don't see a problem. First, you're dealing with Stephen Foster, and "Doo day day" is absolutely in place, and doesn't call for any other reference.

I've never heard "dah" as meaning "trinkets".

Yes, if one is looking for other meanings, "Doo" could be taken by itself as referring to a hair styling, or a "do rag". But in context that would not suggest itself, I think. And if it did, it's just meaningless.

I can imagine someone saying "doing the do" for sex, though I've never heard it, myself.

And as to being characterized as babyish and uncool, I think not, especially in the context of Foster.

Dave Oesterreich

Subject: RE: Folklore: DO DAH DAY
From: Azizi
Date: 25 Jun 06 - 03:41 PM

Well, Dave, I did say 'in my opinion'.

I'm not going to get into a 'set' if you disagree. Frankly, what they call this event, or even the fact that they [whoever 'they' are] are having this event, is no big deal to me.

Now, if they started teaching the REAL deal about Stephen Foster and his times in the schools of Pittsburgh area [and elsewhere] instead of not even mentioning Foster and spending a short amount of time on a Reader Digest version of those times, then I'd be much more interested.

But a parade, a picnic, and a free tour of the cemetary?

Whoopdee do.

I betcha people will check out the parade, and eat the food, and then nix the cementary tour.

And if that occurs, in my opinion, no one should be surprised.

But if the whole thing turns out great, again I say

Whoopdee do.

Subject: RE: Folklore: DO DAH DAY
From: Azizi
Date: 26 Jun 06 - 07:40 AM

Change of plans, I will be in town to check out the Doo Dah Day and will report back.

Subject: RE: Folklore: DO DAH DAY
From: Uncle_DaveO
Date: 26 Jun 06 - 08:46 AM

Frankly, Azizi, I'm not sure how big a deal the Doo Dah Day will be, and I don't personally care. Depends, I suppose, on how many various features they can load onto it, to make a broad appeal.

But I think the title is clever, and it COULD be the basis for a local-pride or boosterism event on a regular basis. Many communities find these very helpful for civic consciousness purposes. I wish them well.

That said, I don't go to such things as a normal matter. Here in Indianapolis, the home of Booth Tarkington, the equivalent is thePenrod festival. I've been to it ONCE in the forty-six years I've lived in Indianapolis, just like I've been to the Indianapolis Five Hundred Race a grand total of once in that time. Just not my kind of thing.

Dave Oesterreich

Subject: RE: Folklore: DO DAH DAY
From: Snuffy
Date: 26 Jun 06 - 08:57 AM

Azizi, I don't think doo-dah in the UK is the same as doo-doo in the States. This parody might give you an idea of its UK meaning:

"Zip up yer doo-dah,
Put it away ..."

Subject: RE: Folklore: DO DAH DAY
From: Azizi
Date: 26 Jun 06 - 09:04 AM

Ha! Thanks Snuffy-I didn't know that one!

I love that UK wit!!

Subject: RE: Folklore: DO DAH DAY
From: GUEST
Date: 26 Jun 06 - 04:18 PM

The Doo-dah parade in Los Angeles was always very cool and the name only added to the fun. I remember one which had a drill team of suits twirling briefcases, and later in the parade a drill team of humans dressed as briefcases twirling little cardboard men.

Subject: RE: Folklore: DO DAH DAY
From: IanC
Date: 27 Jun 06 - 04:56 AM

"Doo Dah", like "Thingummajig" etc., is just a term for a thing you can't describe or can't be bothered to. Its application to the male genitalia is basically as an alternative to calling it your "thing".

The word "thing" to mean something essentially non-decribed or non-describable in English is quite old and probably originates from the Danish. Formal communal meetings were known as "The Thing" in Danelaw areas.

;-)
Ian

Subject: RE: Folklore: DO DAH DAY
From: Snuffy
Date: 27 Jun 06 - 08:57 AM

But thingummyjig is female: see Lyr Req: The Dundee Weaver

"And there the dirty wee rascal stole my thingummyjig awa'"

Subject: RE: Folklore: DO DAH DAY
From: GUEST,leeneia
Date: 27 Jun 06 - 09:07 AM

But, but...last night I was reading P.G. Wodehouse,and Bertie reported that Aunt Dahlia was "all of a doodah" about something, meaning upset and excited. In fact, he used the term twice.

Meanwhile, let's not lose sight of the important thing:
July 1,
Pittsburgh,
music and picnic.

See first post for details.

Subject: RE: Folklore: DO DAH DAY
From: Uncle_DaveO
Date: 27 Jun 06 - 10:31 AM

Despite all the other possible or even common uses of
"doodah" or "doo dah", in the instant case of the Foster festival there's an extremely clear referrent, The Camptown Races, and surely there's NO chance of misunderstanding the term in context.

Dave Oesterreich

Subject: RE: Folklore: DO DAH DAY
From: Dave'sWife
Date: 27 Jun 06 - 11:59 AM

actually, the Doo Dah parade is in PASADENA and not los Angeles and is always good for a lagh. it's become quite popular in the past 10 years. When I first moved out here in 1990 it was sparsely attended and not well-covered by local media. nowadays it often makes the national news.