Tag Archives: mockery

The night-night celebration

Text:

The night-night celebration is a basketball celebration popularized by Golden State Warriors star, Stephen Curry. It occurs specifically during a “clutch moment”, usually when a player hits a three pointer during the final minutes of a close, competitive game. The player clasps their hands together and leans his head on his hands to act like he is going to bed, essentially mocking the other team that they should just go home and go to sleep, as his shot has put the game and opponents to sleep.

Context:

The informant is a 20 year old USC sophomore studying chemical engineering. He grew up in Sunnyvale, California, and is a lifelong fan of the Golden State Warriors and Stephen Curry. This celebration came up during our intramural basketbll game, when the informant hit a three pointer and did this gesture at the opposing team’s bench, who had been jeering all game from the sidelines. When asked about this celebration later on, the informant said that he saw his favorite player Stephen Curry doing this celebration during the 2022 playoffs, and thought the it was badass that the message of the celebration was telling the opposing team to just give up and accept their fate.

Analysis:

At its surface, it may be difficult to see the significance behind a simple celebration from a pro athlete. However, when considering this celebration’s virality during its first performance and the cult following Stephen Curry has, my informant and many others using this same gesture during their own competitions show how folklore performance isn’t limited to specific setting, but can be done authentically in any situation as long as it comes from the same folk group. On that note, beyond its surface purpose of mocking the opponent, this folkloric gesture also functions as a gesture of admiration for Stephen Curry, which is a trait only shared by the folk group of Stephen Curry fans. Hence, the celebration can also function as a marker for one’s membership in this group.

Sacatito de conejo: Proverb/Gesture

Nationality: American
Age: 18
Occupation: Student
Residence: Los Angeles
Performance Date: 2/16/23
Primary Language: English
Language: Spanish

Text: “Sacatito de conejo” “A sack of bunnies”

Context: NO’s relationship to this proverb stems from her Mexican culture and her amusing family. NO grew up listening to this phrase/gesture performed by her dad within her Mexican culture and childhood. She would often hear it from her father or an older relative. Within her Mexican household, she would often hear it used in a way to poke fun at someone who is scared of doing something or someone who backs out of a dare. Typically, this gesture consists of gesturing your hand like the Italian “finger purse/pinched fingers” while simultaneously saying the phrase to taunt and make fun of those who are scared; this is to represent many bunnies given the fact that you have five fingers. NO interprets this proverb/gesture as a way to pick at those who don’t want to accomplish something or who are “too chicken” to complete a certain task or action.

Analysis: The cultural value that I see present within this proverb/gesture is the fact that Mexican culture usually revolves around the connotation that Mexicans can do anything and can accomplish anything. Given this idea, this proverb/gesture stems from stereotypical Mexican beliefs. The personal values that are evident within this proverb/gesture is the mockery that stems from someone’s overall personality and characteristics. I see this proverb/gesture as an overall expression of mockery and amusement. Given that the literal translation doesn’t quite make sense, I assume that the comparison of someone backing out is similar to a cute sack of bunnies. I interpret this proverb/gesture as a comparison factor given that the main idea is to make the individual feel like they represent a cute bunny rather than a badass person. Considering that this is performed typically within a joking manner, I consider this proverb/gesture as a lighthearted action that can inflict laughter and great fun despite the fact that I haven’t heard it within my own personal Mexican culture.