I’m finding it really interesting how the term ‘Folksy’ has been used recently especially around the current Presedential election campaign in the US. Just look on twitter for who’s talking about Folksy, it’s kinda interesting. Sarah Palin has become the flag bearer of a Folksy ‘way’ She is a Folksian! Maybe we should make her an honourary member if only for the great SEO work she’s done for us :)?
image: jay pendergrass (via)
But this raises an interesting aspect of language and etymology, the history of terms and how their meaning changes. In the UK Folksy is tied up with folk music and ‘traditional’ cultural practices. Folksy in the US has far greater currency than in the UK and is used to denote an “earthy”, “of the people”, quality. This seems to be being used negatively in the campaign by the educated and political elite in the US where Folksy has been used as a rather derogatory term to mean “unsophisticated”. How do you see it? What does it mean to you?
9 comments
Now that is interesting! Probably because I’m British I see it as knitting and folk music and beards – but being reclaimed by our good selves.
I like that earthy meaning. Hmmm yes. Like it.
Just for a moment I thought I’d wandered back on to an American site…
but seriously, to me Folksy as a word is all about the countryside and folk music, maypole dancing and sheepdog trials. All good things IMO
I think of ‘folksy’ as being connected to the people, so in its traditional music (folk music) and crafts. I suppose things that are done by the people themselves – not manufactured in a large factory or created by big labels – be it music or fasion. Rooted in the country’s traditions but enveloping the traditions of the people of this country thereby including all crafts of every ethnicity.
oh dear, we’re in trouble if sarah palin is our ambassador! i think it’s a great name for this site in britain, to me it says crafty, homemade, communal. let’s hope it won’t be lost on the US if you launch internationally.
Being reclaimed by our good selves – that’s a good way to put it. The word ‘folksy’ can have negative, old-fashioned connotations, but this site has reclaimed the word. The first time I heard of Folksy I thought of the name being slightly ironic – some people think of crafts as being folksy and therefore old-fashioned, whereas this site is not.
If this woman is an ambassador for folksy then i hope most people would run a mile. Oppressing women’s rights, homophobia, bear hunting to name a few of this great womans hobbies?!!!
I think we’d be better off with Michael Palin, to be honest. He’s got a much better profile. ;-)
Echo Kate’s comments,
I’m just looking at Folksy after being a stall holder at Handm@de at Oxford and hearing good things about it
– to see Sarah Palin being mooted as an ambassador is a huge turn off!
I think the name’s OK btw :)
Gosh, I’m hoping she won’t be an ambassador. Hey, she can’t be if we don’t ask… unless she comes with the Moose gun and insists :)
Comments are closed.