Father’s Day

Phil Claydon

Phil Claydon

Edge of the World travel correspondent. Embarks on assignments in a futile effort to preserve his sense of youth, acknowledging always that he ‘Won’t pass this way again’.
Phil Claydon

Phil Claydon

Edge of the World travel correspondent. Embarks on assignments in a futile effort to preserve his sense of youth, acknowledging always that he ‘Won’t pass this way again’.

It’s Father’s Day on 21 June which has had me thinking.  The day is supposed to be an opportunity for our kids to pay tribute to us fathers, thank us for all we do for them and just maybe send us a card or treat us in an effort to demonstrate their love and affection. That’s all fine but I was pondering how this all fits in with the fairly recent trend of using the word ‘Dad’ as a mocking or derogatory term (aka ‘Dadjective’). For example:

Dad bod – Antithesis of the six-pack, non-ripped, non-buff 

Dad dance – A series of highly embarrassing gyrations; typically the front-back step overbite combo

Dad joke – Corny one-liners (or apparently every gag I tell my daughter)

Dad car – Sensible, practical, economical wheels 

Dad shoes – Ugly, comfort-over-trendy trainers inspired by 80’s style sportshoes.  

Basically, anything described as ‘Dad’ is considered cheesy, passé and embarrassing by anyone under 30. 

I can think of only one obvious exception that always appears to escape this derision; the ‘Dad’ bank account. That’s the one that’s always good for a loan at zero percent interest, never conducts any due diligence and unflinchingly extends lines of credit undaunted at the overwhelming prospect of default. Funny that!

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9 Responses

  1. Letter to Charles Atlas

    Dear Mr Atlas,
    I’ve bought the weights and powder supplement, would you please now send me the muscles in the post.
    Yours etc

    1. Thanks for drafting that letter on my behalf Deaks.

      Whilst it’s not for me to question when you were last acquainted with working out in the gym I think I should respectfully point out that Charles Atlas died in 1972.

  2. You guys could just chat to me! I have the power and skills to re-brand you!

    I could have you impressing the kids with Instagram Filters, Vintage Dressing Tags, and TikTok Dance accounts!

    The muscle thing we are going to have to enlist the help of a professional Spray Tan person and Photoshop specialist! But hey you can claim back your credibility! Just a thought! X

    1. Thanks so much for the kind offer Tracie.

      According to my kids my whole wardrobe qualifies as vintage dressing and ‘claim back your credibility’ implies, mistakenly, that I had any in the first place.

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