Mar 17, 2011

Advertising the Local Resources

So, as many of you may or may not be aware, there is a set of mountains in America which are called the Tetons.

Less of you are likely aware that this name, the tetons, has some vague reference to female anatomy.

Still fewer of you know, I am sure, that Teton is a french word that refers directly to breasts, and not in a classy way. In fact, when I typed the word, "teton" into google translator, the mildest of terms that came up was "hooters."

So apparently we have unwittingly allowed one of the most beautiful landmarks in america to be labeled the "big hooter" range. In fact, it's not that hard to imagine why the French explorers named them thus. (top picture).

Which, actually, I'm somewhat OK with. I mean, as you know I'm not really all that hung up about that sort of thing. Breasts are functional anatomical organs that serve several purposes. We had a discussion about this not long ago. I'm a little bit more iffy about referring to them as "hooters" or "jugs"other somewhat crass-ish terms, but there ya are. That's the French for ya.

What I don't understand is how my new corner of the world, which could arguably be labeled "the happier valley;" whose slogan could possibly read: "If you think BYU's the bubble, why don't you come and try BYU-Idaho on for size; we don't even let you wear SHORTS"--

came to be plastered with Hooters.

Some of the signs Skywalker and I have driven by recently:

Teton Oncology

Teton Glass and Distribution

Teton Lakes Golf Course

Teton lanes and bowling (ouch)

Grand Teton Counsel--Boy Scouts of America

Teton River Village

The Teton Grill (restaurant in BYU-Idaho Cafeteria) (I'd like a chicken teton sandwich, please)

Teton cleaning and repair

Teton women's clinic

The Teton-Vu Drive-In (dead serious. Dead serious. Here's a link if you don't believe me.)


The other day we were house hunting. The north-south addresses are kind of funny here; they sort of span a whole bunch of cities. We were looking for a certain listing and drove around and ended up in a place called... yes, that's right.

Tetonia.

Skywalker threw his hands up and said, "we are NOT living here."

And I quite agree. What if my kids ever had a french pen-pal?

My one thought is, there are enough people here who've served french speaking missions...and it's a university for crying out loud. Everyone has to know what "tetons" are? So why do they keep naming things after them?

Maybe people here are kinda earthy.

Or maybe out here, they're trying something that BYU-Utah hasn't tried yet, to up the number of students who get married, and help those reluctant RM-but-I-just-want-to-hang-out types. When you think about it, it's a rather ingenious marketing plan.

you know.... when you think about it.

11 comments:

Sarah said...

What an hysterical post! Made me laugh---thank you!

We miss you down here in the "less-than?" happy valley!

Unknown said...

Oh no, still happy. Still happy. Oh gosh (small sob) I miss it soooo much! Putting on a brave face here.

I do love Idaho, though. I know that eventually it'll be such a great thing, being out away from it a bit.

Sarah! I miss you!

Evablog said...

And here I was thinking they were just pretty. The mountains, I mean. Er, uh,

We miss you.

Unknown said...

Miss you too, Dr. B. :(

Yes, well. I'm sure these lonely french explorers probably didn't think the mountains any less pretty for their happenstance resemblance. (or perhaps, not so happenstance. I'm inclined to believe that God has a sense of humor).

Mendenhallbear said...

Probably the same sense of humors that inspired a grocery store manager to allow a Slim-fast display to go up right next to the Valentine's Day stuff.

David L said...

You could always use my favorite word for "tetons."

SCHLOBES!!!!!!

Ahh... we miss you guys.

Unknown said...

Slim fast on the valentines day aisle. lolol. The only thing that would be better is if there were also included in this melange a display of valentine's day lingerie. I'm still picturing the face of the store clerk you called on it.

David, if we gave you a tetons bumber sticker, would you stick on your bumper right next to the other one we gave you? Thank you very much.

David L said...

Yes.... I might just do that. The "other" one, by the way, has been hidden away where Courtney can't find it and secretly attach it to the car.

Putz said...

hooters in arizonia will give you sunglasses at the door to lessen the strain{eye} and mtn. titless in engelborg switzerland is famous for two large hilless scooped out area where is nothing so they call it titless as in having none below a beautiful face of a madona<><>you coould be here in hapless ephraim so be thankful up there, sweetie

Joy said...

Yeah, NPS interpretational signs explain the name "Teton" at Teton National Park. I'm guessing it's not unwittingly that we "let" the mountains be named after breasts.

Yes, I'm sure many Southern Idahoans know what Tetons mean, but in the past 200 years since the trappers named the Mountains--The name stuck and people are awfully proud of their big, beautiful Mountains. It's a cultural thing you may understand in 10 years. All I can say, just be glad you didn't move to Norfolk, Virginia.

Proper Pronounciation? Nor-fuk.

Unknown said...

lololol, Sherpa.

And yes, they are breathaking. I don't really care what they're called at the end of the day.

I just thought that the phenomenon was rather hilarious.