Things wot we sez....

gtvlusso

After reading the "T.H.U.G L.I.F.E" debacle on the RLJ thingy thread it inspired me to think of unlikely quotes and mis interpreted acronyms:

My current favourite unlikely quote being:

"F*ck da Po-Lice" - quote Mother Theresa in her final years of raising hell in Calcutta.

Someone gave me a business card with the acronym "SFB" after the gents surname, as far as I was concerned this meant "Sh1t For Brains" - far funnier than the pretentious tosh that it probably means.

Anyone else got anything mis-interpreted or mis-quoted - preferably cycling related to keep this thread slightly on topic.

DonDaddyD

OK to clarify. "Did u hear about the rose that grew from a crack in the concrete" - Tupac Shakur

Tupac's stomach tatoo actually says THUG LIFE

It actually means "The Hate U Give Little Infants F**ks Everyone - that's Thug Life." - Tupac Shakur speaking about the acronym T.H.U.G. L.I.F.E.

The fact that the spelling is not entirely Queen's spoken and written accurate English is beside the point. If you look at it with open eyes and many peoples immediate reaction to go pedantic on it in some ways reinforces the point Tupac was making. This being the constant unwillingness to acknowledge a lifestyle so unfamilar some would rather belittle than help, engage or give it a chance to grow and change. Many would much rather keep fueling its (the poorer side of American society) self destructive nature. It's the same thing, though on a much smaller scale, I see here in this country.

Living a life like he has, it (the message) doesn't need and in some way's has no business being accurate. The fact that it was said and understood means so much more.

The guy, for his faults was a hero to many who are and have been misuderstood and again, looking past the surface, reading his poetry appreciating his acting skills and potential may just open some of your eyes a little more - there's a whole world out there, not everyone is the same, have the same abilities nor do they have to be.

"Word is Bond"

Agent57

Well, to paraphrase Public Enemy, Tupac was a hero to some but he never meant sh*t to me. I don't think saying it doesn't actually work as an acronym reinforces his point at all; however, I agree to some extent with the sentiment of the expanded non-acronym.

I don't necessarily view all "hoodies" with fear and suspicion, and I don't agree they should all be demonised. However, When walking down a street, it's difficult to determine the ne'er-do-wells from the actually-quite-nice-lads in advance, and many of them don't help their own image when they start shouting random insults at passers-by. So I'll continue to give them a wide berth when I can.

DonDaddyD

Agent57 wrote:

Well, to paraphrase Public Enemy, Tupac was a hero to some but he never meant sh*t to me. I don't think saying it doesn't actually work as an acronym reinforces his point at all; however, I agree to some extent with the sentiment of the expanded non-acronym.

I don't necessarily view all "hoodies" with fear and suspicion, and I don't agree they should all be demonised. However, When walking down a street, it's difficult to determine the ne'er-do-wells from the actually-quite-nice-lads in advance, and many of them don't help their own image when they start shouting random insults at passers-by. So I'll continue to give them a wide berth when I can.

I went to Moorgate for an interview a few months back. A poster in the trainstation detailed an assult where a staff member was headbutted and then a few weeks later slapped in the face and verbally abused. The person committing the crime was reported as wearing a pin-stripe suit...


Admittingly Nas means more to me than Tupac, but I appreciate the impact Tupac has had on others. The acronym for me is ingenious in that Thug Life is in itself negative but expanded you can begin to realise what creates such a life style. It's a self-serving acronym if you will.

Now Lupe Fiasco, there's a man a message and the ability to deliver it perfectly. Uncool is awesome.

lost_in_thought

DonDaddyD wrote:

I went to Moorgate for an interview a few months back. A poster in the trainstation detailed an assult where a staff member was headbutted and then a few weeks later slapped in the face and verbally abused. The person committing the crime was reported as wearing a pin-stripe suit...

OMFG no way people who wear suits can be prats too? Now this IS a surprise. I should re-assess the way I look at life and change all my perspectives. Or not.

People from all walks of life are capable of being idiots. However, some groups seem to do it more often than others. That's where the prejudice against 'hoodies' comes from, along with various others. The media definitely don't help, but a change in behaviour from the minority causing the problem would be a great step.

The 'hate u give little infants' is rather silly - I have nothing against infants. It's their parents who bother me. It doesn't fit so neatly into a 'making a point' anagram though.

Agent57

I think the problem with "Thug Life" is that it only works once the observer has been made aware of the intended expansion. For everyone else, it just seems to be glorifying "thug life", therefore rather than self-serving, it could be more self-defeating.

il_principe

*climbs into bunker, pulls hatch closed firmly.

tests hatch.

waits.

lost_in_thought

IP -

Yeah, Agent57, it's one of those things... should have had another tattoo above it saying 'ask me about my tattoo'. Then the guy in question could have triumphantly explained how it's actually a beautiful, wonderful, heartwarming statement rather than just a thing about being a thug.

DonDaddyD

I think the problem with "Thug Life" is that it only works once the observer has been made aware of the intended expansion.

Yep

For everyone else, it just seems to be glorifying "thug life", therefore rather than self-serving, it could be more self-defeating.

That would be their ignorance and arogance as explained by Tupac. People making judgements before properly engaging to fully understand why.

Much like assuming that the 'hate directed at infants' is purely from their parents and not forms other forms of social influences or people. As so clearly demonstrated in LiTs post.

DonDaddyD

lost_in_thought wrote:

IP -

Yeah, Agent57, it's one of those things... should have had another tattoo above it saying 'ask me about my tattoo'. Then the guy in question could have triumphantly explained how it's actually a beautiful, wonderful, heartwarming statement rather than just a thing about being a thug.

Why should he have to, to adhere and appear more accessible to middle and upper America/society when they themselves have made no effort to understand or allow their societies to be accessible to him.

Tupac wrote it and explained it to those that mattered to him. If others wanted to know fine. Thug Life and living the life of a thug wasn't about a life of crime it was an ideal to survive in a life style designed to be self destructive, Tupac's ideals weren't themself self destructive.

The guys Mum and he believed in the ideals of the Black Panther party for one thing.

Agent57

DonDaddyD wrote:

That would be their ignorance and arogance as explained by Tupac. People making judgements before properly engaging to fully understand why.

Ignorance, possibly (in the sense of not knowing, rather than deliberately ignoring). But arrogance? I don't think it's arrogant to interpret something without first trying to seek out the motives or intention of the source.

If Tupac claimed misinterpretation was due to arrogance, he was himself guilty of making judgements without fully engaging with people.

DonDaddyD

Agent57 wrote:

DonDaddyD wrote:

That would be their ignorance and arogance as explained by Tupac. People making judgements before properly engaging to fully understand why.

If Tupac claimed misinterpretation was due to arrogance, he was himself guilty of making judgements without fully engaging with people.

I'll give you that one.

Let me make it clear, I don't advocate everything Tupac stood for but if refined some of his ideals have a point and these ideals can be found argued successfully by others albeit for other causes.

GraemeT

Hi DDD,
Are you at work today

Monkeypump

So, I get "I'm a TW@T" tattooed across my forehead... what would people think?

The real meaning (to me) would be "I'm a totally well-adjusted teacher", and of course, everyone would believe that!

biondino

I'd think you were a bit of a tw@t though, to be honest

DonDaddyD

Monkeypump wrote:

So, I get "I'm a TW@T" tattooed across my forehead... what would people think?

The real meaning (to me) would be "I'm a totally well-adjusted teacher", and of course, everyone would believe that!

I think it would be brilliant and would believe that, why? Because all teachers are TW@T's.

Yes i said it.

And the irony is Tupac accepted that he was a thug and lived the life of a thug. The acronym when explained in full was his way of expressing what creates a thug.

"Word is bond".

Jay dubbleU

Il Principe wrote:

*climbs into bunker, pulls hatch closed firmly.

tests hatch.

waits.

+1 :roll:

il_principe

DonDaddyD wrote:

All teachers are TW@T's.

Linsen isn't... :shock:

lost_in_thought

Il Principe wrote:

DonDaddyD wrote:

All teachers are TW@T's.

Linsen isn't... :shock:

No, no, no, he meant all teachers are TW@Ts, you know, Totally Well-Adjusted Teachers.

il_principe

lost_in_thought wrote:

Il Principe wrote:

DonDaddyD wrote:

All teachers are TW@T's.

Linsen isn't... :shock:

No, no, no, he meant all teachers are TW@Ts, you know, Totally Well-Adjusted Teachers.

I stand by my point. :P

DonDaddyD

Il Principe wrote:

lost_in_thought wrote:

Il Principe wrote:

DonDaddyD wrote:

All teachers are TW@T's.

Linsen isn't... :shock:

No, no, no, he meant all teachers are TW@Ts, you know, Totally Well-Adjusted Teachers.

I stand by my point. :P

Even I can see the funny side of that.

tebbit

To quote Wilde: -

"Those that can't teach"

I might be a bit bitter due to mentoring apprentices and trainees, and don't get me started on graduates.

Monkeypump

I'm not a teacher, almost certainly a tw@t (but just making a point, could have been tailor, traindriver, tattooist).

It seems that Tupac was just being provocative with the THUGLIFE tattoo. It fits the image, but he can conveniently claim to be a sensitive, misunderstood, tortured genius if asked whether there was a hidden meaning. Oh, so clever.

Il Principe wrote:

*climbs into bunker, pulls hatch closed firmly.

tests hatch.

waits.

And now I'll join you...

Agent57

DonDaddyD wrote:

"Word is bond".

That's not the first time you've posted that, but I still don't follow. I understand "my word is my bond," but that doesn't seem to be what you're saying here. And if that is what you mean, I don't get the significance in this context.

sebastiandangerfield

"Those that can't teach"

In a bitter twist of irony. Those that can, learn to punctuate.

velorazzi

Can I join you all in that bunker? I have no idea what you're all on about. Who's Tupac?








I was born old.

roger_merriman

velorazzi wrote:

Can I join you all in that bunker? I have no idea what you're all on about. Who's Tupac?

rapper. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tupac_Shakur face rings a bell but I don't care for most Rap any how.

symo

Well I am more down with the urban philosopher/poet Jason Zed.

"I love girls, girls, girls, girls, girls, it's girls I do adore. Put your name on this paper; cause I would love to date ya, holla at ya when I come off tour".

I spend a lot of time travelling owing to work and this really speaks to me.

DonDaddyD

Monkeypump wrote:

I'm not a teacher, almost certainly a tw@t (but just making a point, could have been tailor, traindriver, tattooist).

It seems that Tupac was just being provocative with the THUGLIFE tattoo. It fits the image, but he can conveniently claim to be a sensitive, misunderstood, tortured genius if asked whether there was a hidden meaning. Oh, so clever.

In many way's he was being provocative, but that was the point. That's was the point of his music and yes the tattoo does fit the image. He also went to acting school from a young age, Tupac was trained to convey whatever image he wanted to.

Do I think Tupac believed in the message of hisTattoo? Yes, I do. He went to great lengths in his life to talk and speak out about llife in New York (yes Tupac started life in New York and then moved to California).

Do I agree, or look up to Tupac. No. I admire what he was trying to say, but a lot of what he said, no matter how right in principle, was warped.

@Agent57

"Word is Bond"

Saying this means that what you are saying is absolutely correct, and you do not have to put up money to prove it, you just say it. The term originates from the financial markets where, historically, traders would tell each other, "my word is bond", i.e. my word is good enough, you don't need it in writing.

This term is also in the lessons of the Nation Of Islam and 5% "Have you not learned that your word is bond? Yes, my word is bond and bond is life, I shall give my life, before my word shall fail."

Personally I heard at the end of a hip hop song, Nas I think (see avatar). Sounded cool.

velorazzi

roger merriman wrote:

velorazzi wrote:

Can I join you all in that bunker? I have no idea what you're all on about. Who's Tupac?

rapper. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tupac_Shakur face rings a bell but I don't care for most Rap any how.

Ah right, thanks. Me neither; regarding rap. Or anything, shudder, modern.

What do I know? I live in a cave and was raised by a family of wolves. I occasionally emerge, blinking in the sunlight, only to go out on long bike rides...Alone.


How-oooooooooooool!