The Jargon of Barbershop

Abstract

USIC SUNG the barbershop, often proverbially bad, has been a tradition since the Renaissance, but skillful barbershop harmonizing is perhaps no older than the first decade of the twentieth century, while organized singing through the Society for the Preservation and Encouragement of Barber Shop Quartet Singing America, Inc., did not begin until 1938. Like any other specialized activity, barbershop has developed its own terminology that allows its participants to communicate about technical matters as well as to identify with one another as insiders. Maurer and Vogel (1967, p. 318) have written, is basic to human social organization that whenever people are closely associated, they develop certain special aspects of language, often on several different levels. They add, printers, sailors, railroaders, physicians, etc., develop a sort of occupational language which is functional as well as social its nature. Most hobbyists also develop an occupational language, and barbershoppers, or organized male quartet singers, are no different. Despite the fact that barbershoppers have been harmonizing for threequarters of a century, the language with which they discuss their activities has been little noted by nonenthusiasts. The popular press occasionally refers to some of the jargon articles on barbershopping, but scholarly studies have been lacking. My experience as a barbershopper goes back to 1965, and I have been a member of the SPEBSQSA, Inc., as the Society is acronymically known, since 1969. Through its publications, the Society introduces new members to the specialized language of barbershopping. As one might expect, some introduction is necessary: new members have no idea what an afterglow is; B & B means nothing to them; BO TT [boutaI] sounds like wearing apparel, and CO TS might be the plural for a piece of furniture. It is noteworthy that over 20 percent of the terms listed the glossary below are acronyms, pronounced either as a word (PROBE) or as letter names (B & B). This high percentage of acronyms is consistent with the purpose of jargon, which is to communicate complicated ideas, while at the same time including both the speaker and the listener within a special class of those who are in the know. Thus when a speaker says CO TS, the listener knows he means 'Chapter Officers' Training School' and demonstrates that he himself is no neophyte barbershopper by the fact that he does not have to ask for an explanation.