Spotlight on Students: Origins and Meanings of American Idioms

This post highlights the work required of my SA 202: Introduction to Anthropology students. Students were given the opportunity to research and identify the origins and meanings of time of a specific American phrase that they selected. Several students were given the opportunity to have their exemplary work featured on the blog, and the students who provided permission have their work featured here in this and the following blog posts. Please show your appreciation for their work through the comments.

Representation of the meaning of "ball and chain".

 By: Callianne Nilges

 

The phrase “ball and chain” is something that I have heard used commonly in conversation. When I have heard it, it is generally used in a very demeaning way. I have generally heard this phrase used by men. My goal in picking this phrase was to learn how the phrase changed from its original meaning to the one that is known today. I assume that the original meaning of “ball and chain” is what I learned in history. That it was a heavy iron ball that was attached to a chain and shackled to a prisoner as a punishment. According to dictonary.com, the phrase does originally mean “a heavy metal ball secured by a chain to the leg of a prisoner to prevent escape” (“Ball and chain Definition & Meaning”). This is very different from the modern day meaning. Currently, the term is slang for “wife” (“The saying 'Ball and chain' - meaning and origin.”). Some of the earliest examples of the change in meaning of the phrase comes from a fiction book called Cutie, A Warm Mamma by Ben Hecht and Maxwell Bodenheim. This story is a satire of the censors and candor of society in the 1920s. The main character Herman Pupik hires an assistant named Cutie whom he is having an affair with. After disappearing for days, he introduces her to his wife. Cutie says, “so this is the way you have been deceiving me! Getting me to repent and repent and all the time with a ball and chain waiting for you at home.” (Hecht and Bodenheim 70). This gives insight on why wives are referred to as a “ball and chain”. Wives are viewed as something that is holding a man back from living a good, free, and fun life. I think this says a lot about our society and the way we view women and relationships.

 

Works Cited

“Ball and chain Definition & Meaning.” Dictionary.com, https://www.dictionary.com/browse/ball%20and%20chain. Accessed 27 September 2023.

Hecht, Ben, and Maxwell Bodenheim. “Cutie, A Warm Mamma.” United States: Boar's Head Books, 2 October 1924, https://www.gutenberg.org/cache/epub/67680/pg67680-images.html. Accessed 27 September 2023.

“The saying 'Ball and chain' - meaning and origin.” The Phrase Finder, https://phrases.org.uk/meanings/54950.html. Accessed 27 September 2023.

 

Representation of the meaning of "Gung ho"

By: Molly Suthoff

 

“Wholeheartedly enthusiastic and loyal,” gung-ho is a term that may go over one person’s head and resonate beautifully with another (“Gung-ho Definition”). I specifically chose this term because I have seen it used numerous times and always wondered how it made its way into everyday usage in English. Before thoroughly researching the word, I knew that it had some relation to being happy and expressing that happiness through being ecstatic or eager. I also thought that it was a positively connotated word; I have since learned that it is not necessarily always positively connotated. With origins in Chinese, the term gung-ho when properly translated actually means “industrial cooperative” (Kung). In a brief summary, it came into the English lexicon thanks almost entirely to one man, U.S. Marine Evans Fordyce Carlson. Stationed to observe Chinese soldiers, Carlson watched them work together in a way they called gung-ho. Their way of working together was united by one idea. According to NPR, after watching the soldiers Carlson supposedly associated the word gung-ho with teamwork, and he is later quoted as saying that it meant to work in harmony (Kung). I think this a good time to mention that throughout the article from NPR, it is continually pointed out that gung-ho does NOT mean to work in harmony. I would also like to note that there were at least two other sources I viewed that had opening lines stating that gung-ho would very roughly translate to “work harmony.” This is not true. Once Carlson began to lead his own battalion, he had begun to use his motto of gung-ho, and his battalion began to call themselves the “Gung-ho Battalion.” As the word became popularized outside of the battalion thanks to the movie Gung Ho! people started to associate it with being overly enthusiastic and eager (A&E Television Networks). Its meaning today is still similar to the later meaning it took on, extreme enthusiasm. Anyone who is gung-ho is very eager to do something. When using this term today to describe a marine, it is positively connotated. When describing someone chasing an idea or dream, you can presume there is a bit of a negative connotation to the word.

Works Cited

A&E Television Networks. “Watch Origins of 'Gung Ho!' Clip | HISTORY Channel.” The HISTORY Channel, https://www.history.com/videos/origins-of-gung-ho.

“Gung-ho Definition & Meaning.” Dictionary.com, https://www.dictionary.com/browse/gung-ho. Accessed 26 September 2023.

Kung, Jess. “What Does The Word Gung-Ho Really Mean? : Code Switch.” NPR, 18 October 2019, https://www.npr.org/sections/codeswitch/2019/10/18/406693323/the-long-strange-journey-of-gung-ho. Accessed 26 September 2023.

Representation of "caught red handed"

By: Cooper Feeler

 

The phrase I choose is "caught red handed".  I picked this phrase because I hear it a lot, but I never knew the meaning or where it came from which piqued my interest making me want to learn more. Before doing any research on the phrase I think it means to be caught in the act of doing something bad and my guess is that the phrase came from catching someone in the act of murder with their hands covered in blood. The phrase caught red handed originally came from the northern Irish province of Ulster. This phrase was based off a myth in which there was a competition to become the ruler of the province. The competition was a boat race where the first to touch the other shore would win so one of the competitors chopped off their hand and threw it to the other shore winning the competition. This phrase originally had to do with any act in which you were harming someone or something else like murder or poaching for example. Today the phrase has a slightly different meaning according to the Cambridge dictionary " it is to discover someone in the act of doing something bad or illegal". I think that as the world got more peaceful the phrase changed from describing incredibly violent acts to more everyday acts like getting caught stealing or doing something bad. I think the change of this phrase shows that are culture has moved away from incredibly violent acts into a much more tranquil culture.

 

Martin, Gary. “‘caught Red-Handed’ - the Meaning and Origin of This Phrase.” Phrasefinder, phrases.org.uk/meanings/caught-red-handed.html. Accessed 27 Sept. 2023.

“Catch Someone Red-Handed.” Cambridge Dictionary, dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/catch-red-handed. Accessed 27 Sept. 2023.

 

 

Spotlight on Students: A Discussion on Cultural Appropriation (Part 2)

 This post highlights the work required of my SA 202: Introduction to Anthropology students. Students were given the opportunity to research and identify an example of cultural appropriation and explain how the cultural elements could be appreciated instead. Several students were given the opportunity to have their exemplary work featured on the blog, and the students who provided permission have their work featured here in this and the following blog posts. Please show your appreciation for their work through the comments.

 

Banh Mi sandwich, a Vietnamese dish

 

By: Annabelle Bonnot

After doing some research on cultural appropriation I found an article on the appropriation of food. The Cornell Daily Sun published an article written by Meridien Mach who talks about her experience with food appropriation.  Food appropriation is when a culture’s food is made and sold by someone or a business who has no ties to that culture or is not from that culture. In the article she mentions that her dad bought her bánh mì for her first day of first grade. Bánh mì is a Vietnamese baguette sandwich with different meats and pickled vegetables, along with condiments. Other classmates around her showed disgust for her food and at that moment she decided to stop bringing lunches and buy the ones from school. Other non Vietnamese restaurants had begun selling bánh mì but modifying it to fit american’s tastes better, like swapping out the meats for more “american” meats. This is an example of cultural appropriation because when someone changes cultural foods they are disrespecting the culture. When restaurants make and sell cultural foods and make a profit off of it they are disrespecting the culture and those who come from that culture. Chinese food is the biggest victim of food appropriation because most Chinese restaurants have changed their menus and food items to appeal more towards the fried foods that Americans prefer. Another example of food appropriation is Orange Chicken being sold as a Chinese food but it was invented by an American. A way to avoid cultural appropriation of food and instead to appreciate it, there are multiple things that you can do, like following recipes from that culture, and using authentic ingredients when cooking said food. Another way to appreciate food is learning about the backstory and history of the food. By doing this you can gain a true appreciation of the food that you are eating or trying to cook. In no way should you change any ingredients or assume that you did better or that what you cooked tasted better.

 

Mach, Meridien, and Murali Saravanan. “Food Cultural Appropriation: It’s Personal.” The Cornell Daily Sun, 25 Mar. 2021, cornellsun.com/2021/03/25/food-cultural-appropriation-its-personal/.

 

Screenshot from Coldplay's video titled, "Hymn of the Week".

 

By: Maxwell Black

Cultural appropriation is “the unilateral decision of one social group to take control over the symbols, practices, or objects of another” (Welsch et al. 45). This can be a problem because it is often used to misrepresent or profit from marginalized social groups. One example is when Beyoncé dressed in Indian clothes in the music video for “Hymn for the Week” by Coldplay. In the video, Beyoncé wore a sari, which is a garment worn by women in India, and had henna painted on her hands. Beyoncé inappropriately portrays Indian clothes and jewelry as costumes, which they are not. The music video has multiple problems with how it handles Indian culture. ‘“Hymn for the Week” stereotypes India by depicting it as “a lush, exotic land filled with dingy slums inhabited by pious, levitating holy men and lanky brown-skinned children who are always throwing colored powders at each other” (Reed. 1). The music video furthers misunderstandings regarding India by generalizing what life is like there and portraying it as an exotic and strange place.

Although Hymn for the Week was successful, it is important to acknowledge cultural appropriation where it appears. Failure to do so will result in greater distrust among the cultures being stolen from. Beyoncé could have handled the situation better if she researched Indian culture and got permission and advice from Native Indians who might get offended otherwise. Hymn for the Week could have been culturally appreciative if it had a better understanding of Indian culture and had Indians help with the music video. I find it wrong when people profit from marginalized groups. The first time I ever noticed cultural appropriation, it seemed minor until I saw the effects myself. Beyoncé and Coldplay may not have intentionally committed cultural appropriation, but it should still be acknowledged to prevent further issues. Outsiders should always credit the original culture, without presenting it as new when it is not.

Works Cited

Reed, Betsy.  “Coldplay: only the latest pop stars to misrepresent India as an exotic playground.”  The Guardian, 1 February 2016, 1-2.

Welsch, Robert L, et al. Anthropology: Asking Questions About Human Origins, Diversity, and Culture. Oxford University Press, 2016.

 

Ariana Grande's original tattoo

 

By: Tionna Wesley

Cultural appropriation is nothing new, and has been happening for many years. One example of this is when Ariana Grande was promoting her album “Thank U, Next”. During this promotion she sold merchandise that had Japanese phrases on them, and she also got a tattoo in Japanese that was supposed to say “7 Rings” but instead translated to “BBQ grill”. The reason this is cultural appropriation is because Japanese is not her own language or culture. It seems like she was just hopping on a trend and hoping that this would get her more sales and listeners for her new music and merchandise to profit from. She did not even do the proper research for a Japanese tattoo that will be on her body for the rest of her life. She did attempt to get it fixed, but even this was still wrong and read as “”BBQ grill finger”. Ariana Grande definitely could have approached the situation differently and appreciated the culture. Instead of using their language on merchandise without consulting anyone she could have possibly partnered with a Japanese clothing manufacturer. That way she would be speaking with someone who actually is a part of the culture and some of the profit would be going there as well. She could have also done the proper research on what “7 Rings” in Japanese would have actually been so she could have gotten it right. These things would have shown a lot more appreciation for the culture than what actually happened.

11 Celebrity Examples of Cultural Appropriation - Seventeen, www.seventeen.com/celebrity/g22363821/cultural-appropriation-examples-celebrities/. Feb. 4th 2019.

 

Spotlight on Students: A Discussion on Cultural Appropriation (Part 1)

This post highlights the work required of my SA 202: Introduction to Anthropology students. Students were given the opportunity to research and identify an example of cultural appropriation and explain how the cultural elements could be appreciated instead. Several students were given the opportunity to have their exemplary work featured on the blog, and the students who provided permission have their work featured here in this and the following blog posts. Please show your appreciation for their work through the comments.

Nike's culturally appropriated design on leggings.

 

By: Mason Igou

One example of cultural appropriation that I found was back in 2013 involving a new, trendy design on a pair of their women's leggings. Within no time, many criticisms and statements surfaced from 2 main groups, those from Australia and New Zealand. The reason for this outrage is because the design on the pants closely resembled pe'a, which is the tattoo men wear in Samoan Culture. This is an example of cultural appropriation because what was once a male specific symbol and tattoo, it was now being made for women's clothing, misrepresenting a once sacred symbol. Another reason that this is an example of cultural appropriation is because Nike did not do any research in making sure that this was an appropriate symbol to use, as most companies check with someone who has a patent or some sort of knowledge on a symbol, this is evident in a statement by Nike which read, "The Nike Tattoo Tech collection was inspired by tattoo graphics. We apologize to anyone who views this design as insensitive to any specific culture. No offense was intended." (HuffPost, 2013)

 

Someone could appreciate the culture without appropriating it first by doing research and getting in contact with people who practice this culture to see the real meaning behind some the symbols and actions. You can also appreciate the culture without appropriating it by respecting the symbols, like if Nike did their research and found out that this was a male only tattoo, maybe working closely with people of this culture to make a clothing line for men that both respects and honors the culture. In this case, the big takeaway is to do your research, and don't mess with symbols you don't understand.

 

“Nike Pulls Tattoo Leggings after Offending Pacific Community.” HuffPost, 15 Aug. 2013, www.huffpost.com/entry/nike-tattoo-leggings_n_3763591.

 

A. Traditional "Dream Catcher", B. Mask used in children's games, C. "Ghost leg" (Bureau of American Ethnology)

 

By: Molly Suthoff

Cultural appropriation, as defined in Anthropology: Asking Questions About Human Origins, Diversity, and Culture, is "the unilateral decision of one social group to take control over the symbols, practices, and objects of another" (Welsch et al. 42). In an easier definition, it is the blatant use of another culture without acknowledging the history and significance of that culture. An example of cultural appropriation that is very common in today’s society is the making and use of dreamcatchers (Karim). Dreamcatchers hold extreme significance to Native Americans and have history that can be found in many Native American legends. Today, they are misappropriated by a plethora of people. The mass creation and selling of dreamcatchers by non-Native Americans neglects to acknowledge the history and significance of dreamcatcher's presence in Native American culture. This is a prime example of cultural appropriation because non-Native Americans who create and sell dreamcatchers are actively ignoring Native culture while simultaneously exploiting it too. While dreamcatchers are often made and sold by non-Natives, which is cultural appropriation, it is important to note that it is acceptable for Native Americans to make and sell dreamcatchers because they are aware of and reflect on their significance (Karim). 

In an effort to avoid cultural appropriation, someone who is interested in the creation and use of dreamcatchers can do many things so that they are properly recognizing the significance of dreamcatchers in Native American cultures. First, they can consult with a Native American on the proper creation of dreamcatchers and what their place in Native culture is. This would be a great time to become educated on the legends that surround the dreamcatcher. Second, they can refrain from creating the dreamcatchers for profit. Finally, they can abstain from creating the dreamcatchers at all and stick to learning about the culture rather than abusing the culture. While it is lovely that people want to learn about and acknowledge Native American culture, it becomes useless when they choose to culturally appropriate it. By understanding the history and legacy of dreamcatchers most cultural appropriation can be avoided (Johnson).

Works Cited

Johnson, Kaylin. “Dream catchers are more than arts and crafts – The Ferris State Torch.” The Ferris State Torch, 13 October 2020, https://fsutorch.com/2020/10/13/dream-catchers-are-more-than-arts-and-crafts/.

Karim, Nudrat. “Dreamcatchers are not your “aesthetic” — The Indigenous Foundation.” The Indigenous Foundation, 30 May 2023, https://www.theindigenousfoundation.org/articles/dreamcatchers.

Welsch, Robert Louis, et al. Anthropology: Asking Questions about Human Origins, Diversity, and Culture. New York, Oxford University Press, 2019.

 

 

Ariana Grande's original tattoo that read "BBQ grill"

 

 By: Kaitlyn Wilbers

An example of cultural appropriation is Ariana Grande getting a tattoo in Japanese. Grande got a tattoo that was meant to say "7 rings" as part of the promotion for her new music album. Instead, Grande's tattoo translates to "BBQ Grill" in Japanese (Twersky 2019). This is an example of cultural appropriation because she uses Japanese symbols that she does not know the meaning of. Numerous amounts of tattoos are considered culturally appropriated. Some examples are tribal tattoos, sugar skulls, Japanese Kanji tattoos, and god or goddess tattoos. These are just a few examples of tattoos that can be culturally appropriated. These are considered culturally appropriated tattoos because many people get them because they like how they look but do not know the meaning or research the meaning behind the tattoo they are getting. Many people get a tattoo simply because they want or like the design and do no research in advance. Tattoos of this nature are typically seen as not being culturally appropriate by anyone who is not in the religion, of that culture, or in that tribe. For example, many people who are not part of the Maori culture get Maori tribal tattoos or use the tribal tattoos as inspiration in their own tattoo designs. Many tribal tattoos aid in distinguishing the higher-ups from the other citizens and determine the difference between different tribes. Japanese Kanji tattoos are often culturally appropriated because people who do not understand the language or speak the language often get Japanese Kanji tattoos and often do not know the meaning or, in many cases, do not make sense at all. Such as in the case of Ariana Grande getting a tattoo in Japanese that she thought read "7 rings" but instead read "BBQ Grill." There are indeed numerous tattoo styles that are not culturally appropriate, although it's worth noting that not all tattoos may be appropriate for every culture. People should research before committing to the tattoo they are getting to ensure they are not appropriating a culture. Suppose the research shows that the tattoo is offensive or not culturally appropriate for that individual. In that case, that person should not get the tattoo but instead choose a different one out of respect for that culture. 

Works Cited

Hunter, Dan. “Cultural Appropriation and Tattoos: Think before You Ink.” AuthorityTattoo, 17 Jan. 2022, authoritytattoo.com/cultural-appropriation-and-tattoos/. Accessed 13 Sept. 2023.

Twersky, Carolyn. "11 Celebrity Examples of Cultural Appropriation" Seventeen, www.seventeen.com/celebrity/g22363821/cultural-appropriation-examples-celebrities/. Accessed 13 Sept. 2023.

 

 

Spotlight on Students: Cultural Relativism vs. Ethnocentrism

This post highlights the work required of my SA 202: Introduction to Anthropology students. Students were given the opportunity to explore a different culture through two lenses, cultural relativism and ethnocentrism, and through this exercise learn about themselves and the other culture. Several students were given the opportunity to have their exemplary work featured on the blog, and the students who provided permission have their work featured here in this and the following blog posts. Please show your appreciation for their work through the comments.

 

Cast Photo of the Housewives in Season 9 of the Real Housewives of New Jersey

 

By: Nichole Voegeli

 

When it comes to choosing a spouse, in some cultures it is normal for parents to choose a spouse for their child. In other cultures it is normal to allow individuals to search for and select their own spouse. For example, in the first episode of season 9 of the Real Housewives of New Jersey, the newest Housewife, Jennifer Aydin, was introduced to the existing group of Housewives. She explained that she was from Turkey and had met her husband through a series of chaperoned dates and an arranged marriage set up by her parents. The reactions from the other Housewives were of shock and disbelief, with one Housewife remarking, “Is she kidding me...” (Real Housewives of New Jersey) Later on, Mrs. Aydin explained her Turkish culture concerning chaperoned dating and arranged marriages in an interview with Lindsay Denninger of Bustle magazine. When people are introduced to a culture different than their own, there are two types of responses: ethnocentrism and cultural relativism This essay explores the concepts of ethnocentrism and cultural relativism by providing an interpretation of the previously described scenario for each. 

As previously stated, there are two ways one can respond to a culture. The first type of response is known as ethnocentrism, which is “the assumption that one’s own way of doing things is correct while dismissing other people’s practices or views as wrong or ignorant” (Welsch et al. 10). The second type of response is based on cultural relativism. This response, in contrast, is more understanding of the other’s culture. According to Welsch et al., the authors of Anthropology Asking Questions about Human Origins, Diversity, and Culture, cultural relativism is “the moral and intellectual principle that one should withhold judgment about seemingly strange or exotic beliefs and practices” (10).

The reactions of the other Housewives can be interpreted as ethnocentric. Since we know that ethnocentrism is the preconceived idea that one’s own culture does things correctly and others do things incorrectly (Welsch et al. 10), it is evident that their reactions of shock and disbelief can be interpreted as such. In the show, none of the Wives seemed willing to listen to reason from Mrs. Aydin; they just expressed their opinions in a manner that showed their contempt (Real Housewives of New Jersey). One of the wives, Melissa Gorga, even correlated the practice of arranged marriages to that of the practices performed in the “Stone Ages” (Real Housewives of New Jersey). To most Americans the practices performed in the stone age are believed to be barbaric. Another Housewife, Margaret Joseph, expressed her displeasure with the idea of chaperoned dates by asking, “How is she supposed to make out with the guy?” (Real Housewives of New Jersey). Their reactions definitely expressed an ethnocentric point of view when introduced to a culture different than their own.

While the reactions of the Housewives were based on an ethnocentric perspective, the interview with Bustle displayed cultural relativism. As explained previously, cultural relativism is where a person looks at different cultures with an open mind (Welsch et al. 10). The title of the article in Bustle suggests that the interview was done with an open mind, allowing Mrs. Aydin to share how her culture works without any judgment. The title of the article is: “Why the ‘RHONJ’ Cast Shouldn’t Judge Jennifer’s Brother’s Arranged Marriage So Quickly” (Denninger 1). In the interview with Denninger, Jennifer Aydin was able to share her country’s culture concerning arranged marriages. Contrary to general belief, the couples set up by their parents get a say in the arrangement. (Denninger 1-2). Had the Housewives been open-minded and willing to listen to Mrs. Aydin’s explanation, they may not have been as judgmental in their initial reactions. As you can see, the Bustle interview displayed a cultural relativist point of view towards the Turkish culture of arranged marriages. 

When reflecting on the two interpretations of the scenario, I can see how it is important to show compassion and understanding when introduced to a culture that is different than your own. In the first interpretation, the women came across as extremely judgmental, which is generally unacceptable behavior, as it can be hurtful to those being judged. I would not want to be the one receiving judgment based on a practice or belief that I grew up thinking was normal. Alternately, the second interpretation was more compassionate in nature. By withholding judgment, you can learn about other cultures and better understand why it is normal for that culture. You can still disagree with it; however, you do not have to be rude.

Personally, in this scenario, I would have reacted with a slightly ethnocentric perspective thinking that the poor woman was forced to marry someone she did not love. I was under the impression that arranged marriages were wrong because of the various movies and television shows I grew up watching. After reading the excerpt of the Bustle article, I understand why it is not as wrong as I had once believed. In the future, I hope to approach new cultures that I am introduced to with a more culturally relativistic point of view, allowing me to be more open-minded and understanding without passing judgment based on my own culture.

 

Works Cited

 

Denninger, L. “Why the ‘RHONJ’ Cast Shouldn’t Judge Jennifer’s Brother’s Arranged Marriage So Quickly.” Bustle, 16 Jan. 2019, pp. 1-2.

Real Housewives of New Jersey, season 9, episode 1, Bravo, 7 Nov. 2018. YouTube, www.youtube.com/fgowHRLGtrA?feature=shared.

Welsch, Robert L., et al. Anthropology Asking Questions About Human Origins, Diversity, and Culture. 2^nd ed., Oxford UP, 2020, p. 10.