Author Archives: Xavier Siazon

Minor Genre: Saying/expression

Date of Performance: 02/11/2025

Nationality: American

Occupation: Student

Primary Language: English

Residence: Los Angeles, CA

“I’m fuller than a wood tick on a swamp rabbit”

Context: The subject’s grandfather (from Kilgore, Texas) would say this after a large meal, usually dinner. According to them, the phrase has a slight negative connotation – it is primarily used when one feels uncomfortably full.

Analysis: Cultural background likely played a large part in the inception of this saying, given the rural nature of the subject’s grandfather’s home area. A “wood tick on a swamp rabbit” is likely very full, as the rabbit is unlikely to resist being leeched on by the tick. Interestingly, the phrase exists in direct contrast with another Southern expression I’m familiar with, “I’m hungrier than a tick on a teddy bear”, which presents the opposite meaning (as a teddy bear has no blood to feed off of).

Minor Genre: Folk Expression

Date of Performance: 02/11/2025

Nationality: American

Occupation: Student

Primary Language: English

Residence: Los Angeles, CA

“What’s on the docket for today?”

Context: Subject’s father uses this expression to inquire as to what she’s doing for the day. Subject isn’t fully clear as to the origin of the expression, but stated “[her father] is a lawyer, so I assume it’s on the technical side”.

Analysis: According to the Oxford dictionary, a docket is “a calendar or list of cases for trial or people having cases pending” and is of North American origin. Thus, it makes sense that the subject’s father, being a lawyer, would bring his professional vocabulary with him in his personal life, perhaps in a slightly comedic manner.

Minor Genre: Folk Expression

Date of Performance: 02/24/2025

Nationality: American

Occupation: Student

Primary Language: English

Residence: Chino, CA

“Mickey mouse _______” or “[Thing] is mickey mouse”

Context: Subject is an avid sports fan, and said phrase is often repeated on sports corners of social media, specifically basketball. The label refers to something unearned, easy, cheated, etc. – derived from the Los Angeles Lakers 2020 Finals Championship, which, due to COVID-19, was held at Disneyworld in Florida to an audience of no fans – this championship’s validity is often put into question, and its’ Disney sponsorship is mocked, hence “Mickey Mouse”.

Usage Examples (for clarity):

“That class is mickey mouse” — meaning that class is easy.

“Mickey mouse trophy” — meaning the trophy was earned unfairly, inadequately, or cheated.

Analysis: This phrase has significant comedic value to those in sports circles, particularly those who follow the NBA, and is often immediately understood — however, it remains relatively obscure to those who do not spend significant time on sports discussion social media pages. Regardless, the subject and many others use the phrase in non sports-related conversations, meaning some have picked up on its meanings outside the sports community. The phrase is related to “NBA twitter culture”, the birthplace of several popular memes and expressions, some of which have outgrown the relatively niche community of their origin.

Minor Genre: Folk Expression

Date of Performance: 02/27/2025

Nationality: American

Occupation: Student

Primary Language: English

Residence: Los Angeles, CA

“Did you get the license plate of that truck that hit ya’?”

Context: In the subject’s teenage years, his father would repeat this expression when the subject appeared particularly disheveled or disorganized — “basically when I would just wake up looking crazy”. Apparently, his father’s uncle would say it to him, and it was passed down in the family.

Analysis: Subject described his father as the joking type — and that fits, as this type of expression is common amongst comedically inclined dads. A similar phrase is the classic “looks like a tornado passed through here” often repeated by parents upon seeing their children’s messy rooms.

Minor Genre: Folk Expression

Date of Performance: 02/27/2025

Nationality: Filipino

Occupation: Student

Primary Language: English

Residence: Los Angeles, CA

“Walang forever”

Context: Subject is Filipino born and raised, and their parents or other similarly aged relatives would repeat this phrase to the unlucky target upon learning of a romantic relationship’s end. “Walang” means “no”, or “none of”, in Tagalog, so the phrase essentially means “there is no forever”.

Analysis: In a more family-oriented society like the Philippines (where I also grew up), relatives commenting on your romantic and personal relationships is quite common. Even if the remark were to be unappreciated, it is likely to be made regardless — such comments reflect and demonstrate familial and age-related social hierarchies.