dude

toc ...One of the most //common// and yet most //mysterious// words of our time. Dude.

How does it catch on?
=The mystery of the Dude.=

Dude, History.
The 1885 marked the year when Western cowboys officially coined the 'dude'. The American 'dude' is termed to be a young man with a strange fashion sense who talks with a lisp (source: [|PBS]). His favourite topics of conversation are women, wine and horses. The present day 'dude' converts those invaluable topics of discussion into chicks, beer and cars. The American tradition reigns strong.

The definition in the American College Dictionary of 1948 states that 'dude' is:

//"affected and fastidious man"// or, in the West //"a person who vacations on a ranch".//

Now let's take a famous quote involving the term in question.


 * "DUDE, WHERE IS MY CAR?" or paying respect to the ancestors "DUDE, WHERE IS MY HORSE?"**

And now, let's substitute this illusory term by its real meaning:


 * "AFFECTED AND FASTIDIOUS MAN/YOU, VACATIONING ON A RANCH, WHERE IS MY CAR?"**

Other historical terms: //masher, dood//

Dude, Theory.
[|Professor Robert Knoll of the University of Nebraska] and his Nebraska students seem to believe that 'dude' entails a tourist who attempts to dress like the native population who he visits. He does not have 'soiled' clothing and has no clue of the native habits.

The //Practical Theory of Dude// states that 'dude' is used by surfers who cannot remember each others names.

Dude, Feminist Perspective.
A 'dude' mustn't necessarily be male. He can enjoy the embodiment of a female form, yet the female form is rarely granted the unique term 'dudette'. The male hegemony takes under its wing the female being, as can be seen previously in history. It can be compared to terms such as 'doctor' or 'surgeon' which does not include the female; therefore segregating the woman from such historically male-dominated positions. It can only be hoped that the above mentioned occupations, as well as 'dude' will soon be seen as equal for both genders and achive a female terminology to distinguish the female practicing them.

Dude, Common Uses and Translation.
“Dude!” (Hello.) “Hey, dude.” (What’s happening?) “Hey. Dude.” (Come over here.) “Killer, dude!” (Sign of joy.) “Later, dude.” (Good-bye). “Yo, dude,” or simply, “Dude.” (Said to get someone’s attention).


 * An amazing excerpt from the research done by the** [|PBS]**:**

COMBINATIONS: The word //dude// has lots of offspring not only //dude ranch// and //dude rancher// but //dude puncher// and //dude wrangler// (cowhands who take care of dudes instead of cows and horses, respectively). A female dude is either a //dudess// or a //dudine.// A dude you’re taking pity on is a //dudie//. Dudes exude a quality known as //dudeness//, //dudism//, or //dudery//; besides, they’re //dudish.// They live in //dudedom,// which is not only any spot on the map outside the West but a place in their minds. Unfortunately, dudes are occasionally susceptible to the blandishments of //dudolos// (the word plays on //gigolo//). A //dude horse// is so gentle it will permit dudes to sit on it and will even let their children play around its legs. //Dude chaps// (or any other gear or clothing) means a fancy-looking item that would embarrass any self-respecting hand.