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Sunday, February 26, 2012

Zzzzzzzzzzzzz I Move to Strike the Term 'Disco Nap' From the English Language

Posted by Megan Seling on Sun, Feb 26, 2012 at 6:04 PM

Disco Baby via Shutterstock
Does this baby take naps or DISCO NAPS?

Lately I've noticed the term "disco nap" has been appearing in my Twitter and Facebook feeds more than ever before (I'm looking at you, Hickey). In fact, I don't think I ever saw anyone use the phrase in the past five years (I don't follow a lot of club kids) and now half a dozen folks I follow have used it in the last week or so. What gives? Was it used in jest in a recent episode of Portlandia or something? Why the sudden resurgence?

Really I don't care why. I just want it to stop. A disco nap is just a nap. Apparently it's a nap you take before going to a party or going out dancing or whatever, I get that, but what you do after a nap does not actually impact the type of nap you're taking. It is just a nap. Whether you dance or puke or give birth afterwards. IT'S STILL JUST A NAP.

Not everything has to be a party. Especially naps. Naps should not be parties. Or discos. THEY'RE JUST NAPS.

Comments (23) RSS

Oldest First Unregistered On Registered On Add a comment

Not everything has to be a party.

You're right. Not all naps are parties. Or for parties. But disco naps are and that's why they are called disco naps. You clearly wouldn't know about pre-party naps because you, Megan Seling, a party pooper. At least for this party.

Posted by care bear on February 26, 2012 at 6:14 PM

We need disco naps, Megan, because we drink. It's a bridge between happy hour and 2:00 a.m.

Posted by Dominic Holden on February 26, 2012 at 6:23 PM

I fear I'm too angry about people continuing to say 'ATM machine' to muster the strength needed here.

Posted by yelahneb

on February 26, 2012 at 6:25 PM

I'm inclined to say Disco Nap is merely a symptom; Twitter is the cause.

Posted by Zebes

on February 26, 2012 at 6:29 PM

I for one just learned a new word. And considering how often I take disco naps, I'll be using it a lot!

Posted by algorhythm99 on February 26, 2012 at 6:32 PM

You're being grumpy.

Posted by very bad homo on February 26, 2012 at 6:50 PM

How is this something you're actually taking umbrage with?

Posted by Katie B on February 26, 2012 at 6:55 PM

Maybe you need a disco nap. It'll make you feel better.

Posted by Baconcat on February 26, 2012 at 6:57 PM

I have a toddler. Naps are always a party at my house.

Posted by TVDinner

on February 26, 2012 at 7:18 PM

Good luck trying to control how people use language. I think you're fighting a losing battle, but whatever floats your boat. Are you going to teach people about the difference between "its" and "it's" next?

Posted by dlauri

on February 26, 2012 at 7:23 PM

First of all, I don't think you have the power to strike this term from the record. Secondly, have you ever taken a nap while listening to Chic? It's pretty great.

Posted by LEE.

on February 26, 2012 at 7:30 PM

If there is one thing I have learn in this short life of mine it is the fact that you can't impact language use, it's pointless and look dumb in the process of trying to control other people.

Posted by Andy_Squirrel on February 26, 2012 at 8:53 PM

Who can nap when K.C. and The Sunshine Band start playing "That's The Way (I Like It)!"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dd--tIkrV…

Posted by Supreme Ruler Of The Universe

on February 26, 2012 at 9:13 PM

But what about when Disco Stu is tired in the middle of the afternoon? Are you telling me we don't need an expression for that?

Posted by Yoder

on February 26, 2012 at 10:07 PM

#firstworldproblems

Posted by kylembelltown on February 26, 2012 at 11:58 PM

Try the "coffee nap". Same idea, enhanced by caffeine. There is actually a scientific basis: http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/10/31…

Posted by wormletter on February 27, 2012 at 1:10 AM

Ummm - Sooo - you are too young to know maybe, maybe ask Dan.... a Disco Nap was originally what you took shortly after taking a party drug, like LSD - then in about an hour when you woke up with crazy dreams you were ready to party

Posted by SAILAWAY on February 27, 2012 at 3:58 AM

Uh oh. Is this a bad time to mention that my DJ name is DJ Disco Nap? It has been for several years. I'd like to move that we table this discussion and move on to eliminating "Who knew?!" from usage.

Posted by Anon on February 27, 2012 at 6:52 AM

I guess you'll just have to wait for a new idiom to drop, Megan.

Posted by robotslave on February 27, 2012 at 8:56 AM

Too soon, Megan.

Don't you know that Whitney Houston died from a disco nap? They are better taken in bed rather than bathtub, amirite?

Posted by Womyn2me $http://http:\\www.shelleyandlaura.com$ on February 27, 2012 at 9:08 AM

Love disco naps! Thanks for reminding us how awesome they are! Will use in a sentence every day this week!

Posted by Suz on February 27, 2012 at 9:56 AM

A disco nap is a nap at a particular time... After work and before going out. A traditional nap --aka, siesta-- happens just after lunch, in the heat of the day, around 1pm. It's important to differentiate. One of the beauties of English is option to create new nuance. 'Disco Nap' creates new nuance and meaning. :-P

Posted by treacle on February 27, 2012 at 11:12 AM