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.