Backseat - From Where I Sit

September 2002

By: Michelle

Talk the Talk

It's all in the image. We know that. The label on the backside of our jeans, the signature purses, even the right name on a pen, says it all. I am not going to discuss logos and brands because even in the motorcycling world, this runs rampant. I am talking about talking.

I work in telecommunications. We have our own lingo. We talk in ways that dazzle, confuse and sometimes bore those not "in the know". It identifies us as members of our secret club. It sets us apart and even makes us sound intelligent.

So I started thinking, why not bring motorcycling into this new techno age? I know that there is already a fairly well developed biker lingo that includes words such as "rat bikes" and "colors" which have been around for a while but I am referring to a more updated language. That abbreviated world that shows we are so busy and so important that we don't have time to spell it out. Let's take bike talk into the new millennium.

Let me let you in on a little secret - abbreviated talk sounds so much more advanced than it is. Yet it is impressive. I could tell you all about POTS lines and you would think I was speaking of something highly technical well POTS stands for Plain Old Telephone Set. Hey, if the techies can do that so can we. I offer the following:

FAHRL - Feet Are Hurting Really Long Ride
Or it could be the more serious
BIHRL - Backside Is Hurting Really Long Ride

Example: "Man, you sure are grumpy!"
To which you could quickly reply "BIHRL"
This would result in a knowing nod from all sympathetic bikers within earshot. It's quick. It's efficient and it is something that only other folks "in the know" would understand.

Besides sounding cool and saving time, using abbreviated language can save you from complete and utter embarrassment. Take for example the common dilemma of bug guts indiscriminately splattered in inappropriate places. You could really help save a buddy's ego and his image by discreetly walking up to him and whispering "GOF" - (Bug) Guts on Face. Please note that this word can be adapted to any appropriate body part or garment. For example GOJ (Guts On Jacket), GOS (Guts On Sleeve) and the even harder to detect GON (Guts On Neck). Using this lingo brings the humiliating situation to a virtually undetectable solution with a quick swipe of the hand. No fuss. No muss.

Need time off work but don't have a good reason? What boss would argue with you if you said that you needed off because your doctor prescribed "WIF" treatment? He doesn't really need to know that WIF means, "Wind In Face". Besides, if you do get caught out riding instead of going to the doctor you did actually tell him what you were doing. It's not your fault he wasn't privy to the true meaning of WIF. Instant alibi.

As you can see the possibilities are limitless. Think of all the time that we can save communicating common every day situations. Not only would we be solidifying our bonds with each other in the motorcycling community by sharing a common language, we will have more time for other things like riding in the wind or as I like to say RIW.

KORKOS!
Keep on Riding! Keep on Smiling!

Thanks for visiting VirginiaWind.

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