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Date: 21 Feb 2006 15:14:34
From: kayak4pie
Subject: whitewater guide slang
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I'm a kayaking writer working on an essay about raft guide slang.
Anyone have any great words, terms they'd like to share and explain?
Thanks.
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Date: 13 Mar 2006 02:09:47
From: padeen
Subject: Re: whitewater guide slang
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Some rafters call kayakers "speed bumps", or if they get between your raft
and a wall or rock, "KY Jelly" or just "KY".
In the arctic, clients are sometimes called "snowbirds" because they show up
just for the warm weather.
"kayak4pie" <yobeemer@gmail.com > wrote in message
news:1140563674.492385.325270@o13g2000cwo.googlegroups.com...
> I'm a kayaking writer working on an essay about raft guide slang.
> Anyone have any great words, terms they'd like to share and explain?
> Thanks.
>
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Date: 06 Mar 2006 13:10:14
From: Dave Manby
Subject: Re: whitewater guide slang
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Put in = where the bravery dies and the nerves take over
Take out = Where the lies start
In the UK the is a group of us who also call the take out as the "Bernie
Inn" after a chain of steak houses think about it say it allowed.
Scouting = eye muscle exercises
>
--
Dave Manby
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Date: 28 Feb 2006 14:19:37
From: cramersec@gmail.com
Subject: Re: whitewater guide slang
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Oci-One Kanubi wrote:
> "Carp". Refers to their appearance when they are out of the boat and
> trying to suck air (and probably borrowed from the verb used to
> describe a kayaker grabbing breaths between unsuccessful roll attempts:
> "carping").
Also descriptive of the behavior of the bow paddler in a C-2 that's
front surfing a deep hole.
Steve
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Date: 28 Feb 2006 09:08:33
From: Oci-One Kanubi
Subject: Re: whitewater guide slang
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Two terms for customers:
"SPORTs": Stupid People On Raft Trips. Elegant, because the guide can
address the customer with this term right to his face, without
jeopardizing his tip.
"Carp". Refers to their appearance when they are out of the boat and
trying to suck air (and probably borrowed from the verb used to
describe a kayaker grabbing breaths between unsuccessful roll attempts:
"carping"). By extension, I have seen the sign "Fish Crossing" beside
the driveway through an outdoor center, where the carp cross from the
parking area to the check-in kiosk.
And several terms for -- shall we say -- "things going not exactly as
planned":
Myron the Riverman mentioned "tacoing", which refers to the shape of a
raft folded over upon itself pinned against a rock, or, alternatively,
briefly folded over upon itself in an encounter with a hole
(hydraulic).
Then there is "dump-trucking", when a raft hits a hole and stands up on
end, dumping its crew into the river -- or, more specifically, into the
hole.
And "yard sale", which refers to the collection of customers, stray
paddles, shoes, water bottles and all the other unsecured crap the
customers brought along, after the raft flips and all this stuff is
floating independently down the river.
Not so much a raft guide's term as a canoeist/kayaker term, but
nevertheless appropriate to raft customers, is the euphemism
"out-of-boat experience" to describe an unplanned swim.
And don't forget the aphorism "bad things happen to people when they
are out of their boats." This refers not only to falling out and being
swept into or through river hazards, but to slipping and falling on the
rocks during portage, scouting, and meal- or camp-stops.
I am actually far more familiar with the multitudinous terms canoeists
and kayakers have to describe rafts -- the politest of which is "moving
undercuts", but that isn't really what you're looking for, is it?
-Richard, His Kanubic Travesty
--
======================================================================
Richard Hopley Winston-Salem, NC, USA
rhopley[at]earthlink[dot]net
Nothing really matters except Boats, Sex, and Rock'n'Roll
rhopley[at]wfubmc[dot]edu
OK, OK; computer programming for scientific research also matters
======================================================================
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Date: 01 Mar 2006 23:24:52
From: riverman
Subject: Re: whitewater guide slang
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"Oci-One Kanubi" <rhopley@earthlink.net > wrote in message
news:1141146513.512443.274850@v46g2000cwv.googlegroups.com...
> Two terms for customers:
>
> "SPORTs": Stupid People On Raft Trips. Elegant, because the guide can
> address the customer with this term right to his face, without
> jeopardizing his tip.
>
> "Carp". Refers to their appearance when they are out of the boat and
> trying to suck air (and probably borrowed from the verb used to
> describe a kayaker grabbing breaths between unsuccessful roll attempts:
> "carping").
One of my favorites. We also used to refer to 'carping' as what you did when
you were swimming, floating about chin deep and gasping for air, flailing
about. This term was used for sports as well as guides.
>
> And several terms for -- shall we say -- "things going not exactly as
> planned":
>
> Myron the Riverman mentioned "tacoing", which refers to the shape of a
> raft folded over upon itself pinned against a rock, or, alternatively,
> briefly folded over upon itself in an encounter with a hole
> (hydraulic).
>
Can't take credit for posting that. But we all know about 'postage
stamping': when you do a vertical pin of a raft against a wall. Then there's
'getting launched'; when the raft partially folds (we used to say it
'clamshells') against a hole, and snaps flat, sending the guide flying.
People have been knowns to get launched the length of the boat and gone into
the water over the bow.
Also, not to forget "celebrity boater"; when a retired or transplanted river
guide revisits an old stomping ground, and gets the royalty treatment from
old friends and the wonderous stares from young guides who too easily
believe all the tales they may or may not have. Its always nice if there is
an old legendary story still hanging around ("Whoa, so THAT'S the guy who
did such-and-such way back when!")
"Fairy tale": riverside story. Of course, we all know how these begin...
"Burger"; whatever is for lunch, regardless of whether its a steak, a
sandwich or a hotdog. OK, I confess....I'm the only one who uses that.
"A-team": an excellent paddling crew.
--riverman
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Date: 28 Feb 2006 16:39:22
From: Grip
Subject: Re: whitewater guide slang
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CARP! LOL I love that one, have not heard it before
"Oci-One Kanubi" <rhopley@earthlink.net > wrote in message
news:1141146513.512443.274850@v46g2000cwv.googlegroups.com...
> Two terms for customers:
>
> "SPORTs": Stupid People On Raft Trips. Elegant, because the guide can
> address the customer with this term right to his face, without
> jeopardizing his tip.
>
> "Carp". Refers to their appearance when they are out of the boat and
> trying to suck air (and probably borrowed from the verb used to
> describe a kayaker grabbing breaths between unsuccessful roll attempts:
> "carping"). By extension, I have seen the sign "Fish Crossing" beside
> the driveway through an outdoor center, where the carp cross from the
> parking area to the check-in kiosk.
>
>
> And several terms for -- shall we say -- "things going not exactly as
> planned":
>
> Myron the Riverman mentioned "tacoing", which refers to the shape of a
> raft folded over upon itself pinned against a rock, or, alternatively,
> briefly folded over upon itself in an encounter with a hole
> (hydraulic).
>
> Then there is "dump-trucking", when a raft hits a hole and stands up on
> end, dumping its crew into the river -- or, more specifically, into the
> hole.
>
> And "yard sale", which refers to the collection of customers, stray
> paddles, shoes, water bottles and all the other unsecured crap the
> customers brought along, after the raft flips and all this stuff is
> floating independently down the river.
>
> Not so much a raft guide's term as a canoeist/kayaker term, but
> nevertheless appropriate to raft customers, is the euphemism
> "out-of-boat experience" to describe an unplanned swim.
>
> And don't forget the aphorism "bad things happen to people when they
> are out of their boats." This refers not only to falling out and being
> swept into or through river hazards, but to slipping and falling on the
> rocks during portage, scouting, and meal- or camp-stops.
>
>
> I am actually far more familiar with the multitudinous terms canoeists
> and kayakers have to describe rafts -- the politest of which is "moving
> undercuts", but that isn't really what you're looking for, is it?
>
>
> -Richard, His Kanubic Travesty
> --
>
> ======================================================================
> Richard Hopley Winston-Salem, NC, USA
> rhopley[at]earthlink[dot]net
> Nothing really matters except Boats, Sex, and Rock'n'Roll
> rhopley[at]wfubmc[dot]edu
> OK, OK; computer programming for scientific research also matters
> ======================================================================
>
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Date: 25 Feb 2006 15:12:40
From: Kent Fletcher
Subject: Re: whitewater guide slang
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river leech - kayaker (particularly those who diss oar boats but depend
on them to survive a week long trip).
Mongo - the guy you send for firewood and he brings back half a tree, or
unties your boat by pulling the rock to the boat.
butt buddies - two kayakers sharing the back of a pickup.
river princess - female floater who has to put on lots of makeup before
coming out of the tent, or who brings a propane curling iron on a float
trip.
Barney - the not so bright, not so experienced companion who gives lots
of advice.
chumming - the result of drinking too much while on the raft. Chumming
can attract river leeches, who consider it a divine road map to cold beer.
kayak4pie wrote:
> I'm a kayaking writer working on an essay about raft guide slang.
> Anyone have any great words, terms they'd like to share and explain?
> Thanks.
>
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Date: 24 Feb 2006 08:32:55
From: kayak4pie
Subject: Re: whitewater guide slang
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Riverman:
I'm looking for language that reveals the culture of river guides. The
technical stuff is easy, since I know it from being a kayak instructor.
It's the colloquialisms and nicknames and words and phrases that
clients/punters/flatlanders wouldn't necessarily hear or "get" if they
did hear it.
I've spoken to guide friends on the Kern and have a few replies from a
post on BoaterTalk.com's forum, but I'm looking for more of what you've
mentioned -- nicknames, colloquial names for things, and I really like
your 'fligged to rip' saying.
Thanks for whatever you can give me. It's an essay so I am not quoting
anyone if they don't want to be quoted. It's more a compilation,
explanation, and spotlight on guide culture.
PS: I also tell friends to eddy out when walking places and need to
consult a map or regroup for whatever reason.
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Date: 24 Feb 2006 21:39:49
From: John Fereira
Subject: Re: whitewater guide slang
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"kayak4pie" <yobeemer@gmail.com > wrote in news:1140798775.917099.225570
@u72g2000cwu.googlegroups.com:
> Riverman:
> I'm looking for language that reveals the culture of river guides.
Maybe you're not getting much of a response because river guides don't
*have* a culture.
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Date: 24 Feb 2006 14:40:25
From: Bill Tuthill
Subject: Re: whitewater guide slang
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John Fereira <jaf30@cornell.edu > wrote:
>>
>> I'm looking for language that reveals the culture of river guides.
>
> Maybe you're not getting much of a response because river guides don't
> *have* a culture.
Yuk yuk yuk. Here are some of my offerings:
"Piece of cake" - I'm scared to run it, but I'll pretend I'm not.
"Totally bomber" - If you put this piece of river gear in Baghdad,
it would be destroyed by RPGs within an hour, however I am proud to
have paid a lot of money for it, so I like it.
"BWC" or "BWD" - Bitchin' whitewater chick or bitchin' ww dude.
"Tupperware" - kayakers clogging up the rapids.
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Date: 25 Feb 2006 15:34:11
From: Grip
Subject: Re: whitewater guide slang
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Dang, don't go brokeback on us!
"Bill Tuthill" <can@spam.co > wrote in message news:43ff8b59@news.meer.net...
> John Fereira <jaf30@cornell.edu> wrote:
> >>
> >> I'm looking for language that reveals the culture of river guides.
> >
> > Maybe you're not getting much of a response because river guides don't
> > *have* a culture.
>
> Yuk yuk yuk. Here are some of my offerings:
>
> "Piece of cake" - I'm scared to run it, but I'll pretend I'm not.
>
> "Totally bomber" - If you put this piece of river gear in Baghdad,
> it would be destroyed by RPGs within an hour, however I am proud to
> have paid a lot of money for it, so I like it.
>
> "BWC" or "BWD" - Bitchin' whitewater chick or bitchin' ww dude.
>
> "Tupperware" - kayakers clogging up the rapids.
>
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Date: 23 Feb 2006 22:42:08
From: riverman
Subject: Re: whitewater guide slang
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Spend a summer working as (or hanging with) guides, and you'll pick up
a ton of new uses for vocabulary.
But I'm not sure what you mean by slang. "Slang' often means 'jargon',
which can be defined as "The specialized or technical language of a
trade, profession, or similar group."
There is certainly a technical vocabulary of boating: things like
'pillows', 'postage stamps', 'curlers', 'holes', 'biners', 'PFDs',
'Z-drag' etc refer to components of the craft that are not usually
known by any other name.
Then there are nicknames for things, like 'flatlanders',
'gunnel-grabbers', 'sticks', 'buttboaters', 'brain buckets' which refer
to things that are quite often known by other names.
Then, of course, there are colloquial names for things: in the Grand
Canyon we talk about 'the big ditch', 'Hance Dance', 'abc', 'Chubbies',
etc.
And lastly, there are terms and phrases from the river environment that
make their way into other settings. I sometimes talk about being
'eddied-out' when I'm not being productive, or 'surfing' when I have
some momentum and intertia behind me during a project or task, or
'rigged to run' when I'm prepared for something, or 'fligged to rip'
(or 'rigged to flip') when I am prepared for something that will be
challenging. Of course, you can only use this vernacular with people
who understand the lingo.
What type of 'slang' are you looking for?
--riverman
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Date: 22 Feb 2006 04:06:50
From: Adolphe Menjou
Subject: Re: whitewater guide slang
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kayak4pie wrote:
>
> I'm a kayaking writer working on an essay about raft guide slang.
> Anyone have any great words, terms they'd like to share and explain?
> Thanks.
Tourron
Tourist + moron
Taco Hell - When you drive your raft so hard into Pillow Rock it folds
like a taco!
And my personal favorite
Stay out from under my raft you lousy two blader!
JAM
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Date: 21 Feb 2006 19:52:09
From: Grip
Subject: Re: whitewater guide slang
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Butt Boaters.......what rafters and open boaters call us kayakers
"kayak4pie" <yobeemer@gmail.com > wrote in message
news:1140563674.492385.325270@o13g2000cwo.googlegroups.com...
> I'm a kayaking writer working on an essay about raft guide slang.
> Anyone have any great words, terms they'd like to share and explain?
> Thanks.
>
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Date: 22 Feb 2006 03:59:58
From: Adolphe Menjou
Subject: Re: whitewater guide slang
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Grip wrote:
>
> Butt Boaters.......what rafters and open boaters call us kayakers
>
> "kayak4pie" <yobeemer@gmail.com> wrote in message
> news:1140563674.492385.325270@o13g2000cwo.googlegroups.com...
> > I'm a kayaking writer working on an essay about raft guide slang.
> > Anyone have any great words, terms they'd like to share and explain?
> > Thanks.
> >
Actually, we call all yinz geek boaters.
JAM
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Date: 21 Feb 2006 19:54:25
From: RkyMtnHootOwl
Subject: Re: whitewater guide slang
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On Tue, 21 Feb 2006 19:52:09 -0500, Grip wrote:
> Butt Boaters.......what rafters and open boaters call us kayakers
>
>
> "kayak4pie" <yobeemer@gmail.com> wrote in message
> news:1140563674.492385.325270@o13g2000cwo.googlegroups.com...
>> I'm a kayaking writer working on an essay about raft guide slang.
>> Anyone have any great words, terms they'd like to share and explain?
>> Thanks.
>>
Those of us who set around talking on our computers, but never get
around to actually butt boating, do they call us Butt Yakers? OvO
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