Wednesday, February 20, 2013

Today's word: "Metrocon"

New Jovian Thunderbolt is the foremost expert in the field of metrocon field studies, but with all due deference to him, I'm going to stick this definition here so I have it handy for future copypasta use elsewhere:
Metrocon: A large and serious-looking herbivore often found grazing the veldts of National Review, Fox News panels, and the Wall Street Journal editorial page. While hawkish on foreign policy and capable of mouthing all the proper social values shibboleths, they are generally fiscal moderates and only seem opposed to government power when it's Democrats that are wielding it. The easiest way to distinguish them from the carnivorous creatures they mimic and shelter among for protection is to ask them to count to ten. If they say "One, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten," you've cornered yourself a metrocon. Frum and Will are notable examples, and the largest specimen in captivity is Krauthammer. 

14 comments:

Bubblehead Les. said...

It's also my understanding that the largest Habitat for said Beasties lies within the Capital Beltway, just a Shot Away from OldNFO's Home. But since he can't be there all the time in case one of them escapes and threatens the surrounding environs, one should be careful if one finds one strolling along the Potomac. They have been known to attack. Approach with Caution.

ISH (Mininerd) said...

I don't think they have a "four" in the Metrocon dialect... or if they do it has a slightly different meaning that doesn't apply to anyone of a swarthy hue.

Mike in KY said...

That's funny in a kind of "Dennis Miller - I'm not sure what reference he's making but it's probably funny" way.

Please help my density as I don't get the "two" thing. Explain to me what I'm missing. Use small words.

New Jovian Thunderbolt said...

Heh.

"Poppy didn't keep one of those firearms in our tony Park Avenue Brownstone. That's for tradesmen. Besides, Mumsy would have none of it, and forbid the very thought. If some miscreant was out of line we'd summon a constable. That's what we pay taxes for."

"Well, we did have a brace of doubles, Purdey grouse guns, at our place in the country, but that's different."

Tam said...

Mike in KY,

It's a Bill of Rights joke. :)

RevolverRob said...

I have to say...I didn't get the joke until you explained it Tam.

Maybe I'm just not up to snuff on "metrocons". It did take me a full three minutes of intense thought to figure out what metrocon was a contraction of.

I'm still confused...people A) read the news? B) listen to these idiots?

There is a reason why Family Guy and Sportscenter are the two most watched programs in our house. I don't even know what channel CNFoxNewMSNBC is and don't care...

-Rob

New Jovian Thunderbolt said...

And the 'metro' part, has nothing to do with 'metrosexual.'

Mike in KY said...

Ahh. Thanks, Tam. NJT's comment right above yours kind of made me think that's what it was.

Also makes ISH's comment "heh" worthy. Heh.

Anonymous said...

Frum was a presidential advisor?

No wonder we see such ridicules things come up from the white house(like they needed any help).

The profoundity of the ignorance of his comments is epic.

Malamutt

Jack said...

Metrocons sound like the well-known Canadian Red Tories who really belong in the Liberal Party. David Frum is the prime example.

Joseph said...

After the Balswin news earlier, I thought this post was titled "Today's word: 'Metrocoon'". Alas, it was not and I'm now disappointed.

John Stephens said...

Metrocons are uncomfortable discussing anything that comes in pairs.

NotClauswitz said...

Even gag-bucket worthy-worse yet is Windows-8 "Metro" interface.

Kevin R.C. O'Brien said...

Sorry for the late post, but I'm not sure "Metrocon" applies to Frum.

This is a guy who endorsed Obama twice, and miraculously writes for the NYTs Democratic readers (and publishers) that in his allegedly Republican mind, whatever Democrat position is the day's cause celèbre, is clearly the right one.

The only "con" in that is a contraction of "confidence man." The word I use for him is Quisling.