Tiered, Flouncy, Bouncy, or Boho? The 'Skirt With No Name' has become a linguistic wonder since, unlike most mass-merchandized products with apparent global appeal - it has no name.
San Diego, Calif. (PRWEB) August 5, 2005 - The 'Skirt With No Name' has become a linguistic wonder since, unlike most mass-merchandized products with apparent global appeal - it has no name, or rather none generally accepted by the consumers, who have come up with a plethora of names to describe it.
"It's as if Motorola has introduced a new model of its popular 'Moto' phones or Toyota a new Lexus sedan only to have the consumer ignore the names bestowed upon them by their respective marketers and insist upon using their own particular favorite," said Paul J J Payack, President and the WordMan for the Global Language Monitor.
Preliminary analysis using the Global Language Monitor’s (www.LanguageMonitor.com) proprietary Predictive Quantities Indicator (PQI), have come up with the top names used to describe the apparel. Using this analysis, 'tiered' seems to have settled in as the most popular description followed by 'peasant', 'gypsy,' and 'flouncy'. The PQI tracks specified words and phrases in the global print and electronic media and on the Internet. The words and phrases are tracked in relation to their frequency, contextual usage and appearance.
Apparently the skirt is selling well around the globe. It has been suggested that the skirt originated in Mexico, was inspired by the burgeoning Bollywood studios, is a throwback to California '60s Hippie Culture, or the sudden 'coolness' of all things Gypsy.
"There has been a global groundswell of demand for The Nameless Skirt, after having been by-passed on the runways of Milan, Paris and New York," said Millie Lorenzo Payack, Director and Fashion Correspondent of The Global Language Monitor, "And the fact that the 'tiered skirt' comes in such an unusually large number of variations that might be worn to work, dinner or dancing seems to account for the wide variation of names accorded the product".
The complete list of names, and commentary, associated with the skirt follow.
1. Tiered - Though it's not always tiered only adds to the confusion surrounding the name.
2. Peasant (sometimes Pioneer) - Throwback to California '60s Hippie Culture.
3. Gypsy - A tribute to the current popularity of All Things Gypsy.
4. Flouncy - A favourite of teenage girls who favour the short, circle cut.
(From 'flounce' meaning fringe, frill, trim, edging, and furbelow.)
5. Boho - The 'Oh so cool' description (from Bohemian).
6. Crinkled - Actually meaning 'crinkle' as in 'wrinkle'.
7. Voile - Many 'high-end' shops favor the French mystique.
8. Gauze - A thin or transparent fabric with a loose, open weave.
9. Bollywood - As in 'Hollywood,' the Mumbai-based film industry in India.
10. Indian - As in Bollywood, though some associate with a Native American influence.
For more information, go to http://www.LanguageMonitor.com or call 1.925.367.7557.
About the Global Language Monitor
California-based Global Language Monitor analyzes and catalogues the latest trends in word usage and word choices, and their impact on the various aspects of culture. A worldwide assemblage of linguists, professional wordsmiths and bibliophiles, supports the GLM to help monitor the latest trends in the evolution (and demise) of language, word usage and word choices. End of Press Report.
