A friend gave me a copy of THE ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BAD TASTE recently. Rather than spend time asking myself, “Why me?” I decided to take the title at face value and just enjoy it.
In true encyclopedia style, Jane and Michael Stern have set up the book with subjects from A, accordion music, to Z, zoot suits. Each subject has been carefully researched so that the facts can be easily referenced. Due to limited space and a fear of offending some of our readers, I have chosen several that I found to be enlightening.
How dull our world would be without Jell-O. It has become so popular that the term itself has gone from a brand name to a generic word for any gelatin desert. It is so versatile that it is found in little plain cubes being served to sick people in hospitals to ornate salads as a mainstay at covered dish suppers. It is how Americans really eat; most gourmet magazines rarely mention it.
Pop-topping is a term that was new to me, but I remember the fad vividly. Not too long ago, cans needed a can opener. After having to use his car bumper at a picnic to open a can of beer, Ermal Cleon Fraze invented the pull-tab can opener. Unfortunately, people threw the tabs on sidewalks and grass as cigarette butts are thrown creating a litter problem.
Flash back to 1970, the night before a big Tom Jones concert. Gonzalo Chavez needed something outstanding to wear. He made two vests, one for himself and one for a friend, out of the throw away pull tabs. From that simple beginning, Mr. Chavez changed his name to Pop -Top Terp and started an industry of garments made from pop-tops. Fortunately, for us, the next invention allowed the tab to stay with the can. We do have to thank Pop-Top Terp for being one of the early pioneers of recycling.
Of course Loud Ties, Spam, T-shirts with personal statements, Velvet Art and Candle Art are among the things included. I took it personally that Fuzzy Dice had a chapter. Then I remembered reading someplace that there is no such thing as good taste or bad taste; it is what you like.
This would be a great “coffee table” book; the conversations would be endless.
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