Eplayapedia: Lingo Dictionary

[CLARKcon]

Welcome to the Eplayapedia! A thread for reference's to all the abbreivations, nicknames, and othernesses used on the boards, for newcomers and veterans alike. Please update and add your own common terms. Politily correct someone if they are mistaken, and add only the term:meaning of term to aide in space usage...

Virgin: Someone who is going to Burning Man (BM) for the first time
JoTS: Abbr. for "Johnny on The Spot", the local sanitation company that delievers and maintains the portable restrooms.DPW: Department of Public Works
BLM: Bureau of Land Managment
BMorg: Burning Man Organization (LLC)
The Burn: Saturday night when the wooden man structure is burned
KA: Abbr. for Kamp Apokiliptika (see Theme Camp)
CH: Abbr. for Camp Herring (see Theme Camp)
Theme Camp: A camp with a varying number of persons, registered or unregistered with possibly identified name/logo/etc. to express the given theme and to aide in participitory efforts and placement.
Village: A group of similiar Theme Camps
MOOP: Abbr. for "Material Out Of Place"
No Trace: Taking everything that you bring in with you back out when you leave, e v e r y t h i n g.
Decompression: A party before and usually after to get ready for/ get used to coming back from Burning ManParticipant: Someone who interacts with their environment
Spectator: Someone who observes in other's environment

[robotland]

MUV- Mutant vehicle
EL- Electrolumenescent Wire
LED- Light Emitting Diode
PBR- Pabst Blue Ribbon
WTF- Where's The Fire?

[dragonfly Jafe]

Esplanade: The name of the first street that forms the city, facing the Man. Prized real estate that usually is filled by Theme Camps.
The Man: A large wooden sculpture in the shape of a human that is both the center of the city and the event's premier "art-destroyed-by-fire" installation.
Frat Boy: A negative term applied to those that don't seem to be "getting it", fail to wear costumes, or act offensively. They start showing up in hordes on Thursday in street clothing...

[Chai Guy]

First Camp - If you’re facing the man while standing in the "Key Hole" on the Esplanade, it's the camp to your immediate left. It consists of several large undecorated RVs, trailers, a golf cart parking lot and an observation deck. It’s home to LLC senior staff members. Stop by and thank Larry for creating this party for you and ask for your free drink coupon, redeemable at Center Camp Cafe, tell him you're the "stranger".

The Key Hole- The main Key Hole is the circular street area that surrounds center camp cafe. There are also two other key holes at 3:00 and 9:00 o'clock, though these are more commonly referred to as the "Plazas".

Center Camp- Is a general name given to the location of the Key Hole, but is virtually interchangeable with the actual cafe and all the camps surrounding it. So by saying, "I'm going to Center Camp" you could mean that you're going to Antarctica (to buy ice), or you could mean that you're going to the Cafe (to buy coffee).

The Cafe- aka Center Camp Cafe, aka Starbucks. This is one of the places where you can buy things at the "no commerce" event. If you're bored with participating you can also relax on one of the couches and become a spectator by watching the performance on the main stage. Enjoy!

Playa- or "beach" in Spanish, so called because it's a dry lake bed. The entire event takes place on the "Playa" , but when people say "Playa" at Burning Man, they are generally speaking of the open space between the Esplanade and the Man, and the area behind the Man to the trash fence (and sometimes beyond). Often you will hear people being more specific by adding the "Open Playa" when referring to these spaces.

Laminate- Official Staff Members will be seen wearing a laminated badge with their photo, "Playa Name" and some depiction of the man around their necks. While all official literature claims these are "Not backstage Passes" in reality, they are. You will most likely notice them as they are being thrust in your face followed by the words "DO YOU KNOW WHO I AM?"

Gate- aka main gate, aka ticket gate. This is the area where you will give a surly individual, suffering from dehydration and carbon monoxide poisoning, your ticket. That surly individual, dressed to inspire fear and submission, will then proceed to search your vehicle in a manner that would make even the most hardened border patrol agent giggle with delight.

Greeter Gate- This is the second gate you will pass through. In an attempt to reprogram you from the abuse suffered at the ticket gate, the Greeters will try to make it "FUN". You will be handed a ream of literature instructing you on your appropriate behavior at the event, which you will never read. You will also receive some local political propaganda which is completely useless to you because you're probably not a resident of the county or much less the state.

"Spirit Of Burning Man"- An unquantifiable state of being in which you become "one" with the event and fulfill it's karmactic intentions.

Raver- Anyone dancing to techno (and I use “techno” in the most general sense, I really don’t care if it’s trance, house, trance-house, blip-hop, breaks, or whatever sub-genre you claim to discern from music made by a computer), cracked out on “E”, trying to hug you without permission, or waving a glowstick madly in your face.

Hippie- Unwashed individual who reeks of patchouli, is still mourning the loss of Jerry’s death, and who thoroughly embraces the “Spirit of Burning Man”.

Yahoo- derogatory term referring to any one you have deemed uncool, or who otherwise does not understand "The Spirit of Burning Man" So called because they can often be heard shouting "YAHOO!!"

[CLARKcon]

RFID: Radio Frequency IDentification (tag), possible application to art ( see INTERACTIVE ART)
EAS: Electronic Article Surveillance (tag), possible application to art (see INTERACTIVE ART)
MEDIA MAN: slang term applied to Discovery Times Channel reporter, Charlie LeDuff. Also coinable to other bodies of press who display media coverage in a non-beneficiary manner.
HAM: Short-band radio operator
VITAMIN T: Tequila
WI-FI: Wireless Fidelity
AVATAR: The small visual/non-visual icon to your left, dsiplayed when posting.
INTERACTIVE ART: Art that the artist/collaborator made or created that expresses to the viewer to be able to touch, play, manipulate, etc. All art is to be assumed non-interactive unless without direct permission from the originating artist(s).

[Bob]

CODE 48: anyone who would contribute to a glossary and not spelcheck

[HughMungus]

"fail to wear costumes"

Shallow judgement.

[Chai Guy]

Shallow judgement.

A self righteous indignation of shallow judgment.

[HughMungus]

Shallow judgement.

A self righteous indignation of shallow judgment.

Nah. The thing is that lots of new people read the board. I don't want them feeling obligated to do this or that (gifting, costumes) such that the pressure to "perform" becomes too great a burden. In other words, not wearing a costume does not make you a "frat boy". But if someone loses out on meeting me because I'm not wearing a costume, per se, their loss. I pity them. :D

[ThePikey]

A self righteous indignation of shallow judgment.

A snarky comment about... ahhh, screwit. *doesn't have the heart for it, wanders off*

[Chai Guy]

Damn The Pikey, I thought you were going to keep it going!

[dragonfly Jafe]

Thread Drift: What happens when the original intent of a thread is diverted, either accidentally or intentionally. A common thing on many bulletin boards, especially Eplaya. See also "Troll"

[HughMungus]

Thread Drift: What happens when the original intent of a thread is diverted, either accidentally or intentionally. A common thing on many bulletin boards, especially Eplaya. See also "Troll"

I felt a little bad about that. I never have understood why people can't ignore drift if they want to.

[Atar]

Yahoo- derogatory term referring to any one you have deemed uncool, or who otherwise does not understand "The Spirit of Burning Man" So called because they can often be heard shouting "YAHOO!!"

Actually, no. A Yahoo is someone obnoxious, as tard, someone everyone gets a kick out of hating.
Or how Dictionary says it:
http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=yahoo
Also, and I don't know why (honestly), you come off as somewhat bitter for someone who loves Burning Man so much. Both cases are very evident in the couple of your posts I read. This is not a flame, mind you. I do see you love the event a lot, but still you come off as bitter(ish?).

And whats LLC?

[dragonfly Jafe]

LLC: Limited Liability Corporation; A business structure with corporation and partnership qualities. A LLC provides protection from personal liabilities like a corporation and the tax advantages of a partnership.

[Chai Guy]

In the desert
I saw a creature, naked, bestial,
Who, squatting upon the ground,
Held his heart in his hands,
And ate of it.
I said: "Is it good, friend?"
"It is bitter - bitter," he answered;
"But I like it
Because it is bitter,
And because it is my heart."

- Stephen Crane

[Chai Guy]

LLC- (limited Liability Corporation). The first LLC was formed, Burning Man 1997 LLC. The intention was to dissolve and create a new LLC each year; however, this practice was stopped in late 1998. Since then there are two separate LLCs "Paper Man" (owned in 3 equal parts by Larry Harvey, Michael Michael, and John Law) which controls the logo and trademarks, and Black Rock City LLC which is responsible for the actual running of the event.

[Eric]

Some of my favorite Piss Clear Classics:

Dark Wad: someone who doesn't wear lights at night. Also known as "targets"

Blue Room/ Blue Lounge/ The Blue Spa: The PortaPotties.

Blue Glove: what you get when you have to retrieve something dropped in the Blue Room

E-tard: a person on E(cstasy). Also used on people on acid, 2cb, mushrooms and other substances that are hard to tell apart when watching said "tard"

Playa-sexual: having sexual encounters with someone you normally wouldn't. Generally refers to "heterosexuals" who "experiment" at Burning Man, but can be used in many ways indicating a change in behavior from your life the other 51 weeks of the year.

Stealth Virgin: someone who acts so jaded you would never know that they had never been to Burning Man before.

Playa Brain: your short term memory on the playa. i.e.: "Ack! Playa Brain! Where did I leave my bike lock keys??"

oh yeah: Piss Clear:
1) to drink so much water that your urine stream has no color, meaning that you are theoretically not dehydrated.
2) BRC's favorite little lifestyle newspaper

All the above taken from the Piss Clear playa lingo columns over the years, credits due to the numerous authors (myself included, thankyouverymuch)

(sorry for any misspelling, I am not a copy editor)

P.S.: Chai- I don't find you bitter, just snarky. Snarky is good. Keep on Snarkin'!

[Bob]

Blowjob: blowjob.

[DVD Burner]

MOOP: Abbr. for "Material Out Of Place"

Also the name of a southpark rock band.

[Chai Guy]

Welcome Home- inane greeting stolen from the Rainbow Family of Living Light. Yes, the Hippies called and they want their slogan back.

Playa Platforms- a phenomenon that occurs when trying to walk across the playa during or immediately after a rain storm in which the wet playa begins to cake to the bottom of your shoes forming thick platform soles.

Exodus- 35,000 people trying to leave Black Rock City at approximately the same time bottle necking through a single exit lane.

REMSA- Regional Emergency Medical Services Authority provides medical services on the playa. If you impale yourself on a piece of rebar or take too many drugs, these are the people who will treat you.

JRS - aka the Jack Rabbit Speaks, an email based announcement list published by Burning Man, usually written by Maid Marian or Actiongrl.


LEO- Law Enforcement Officer(s), Burning Man is policed by numerous, Federal, State, and County law enforcement agencies, including but not limited to BLM, Nevada Highway Patrol, Washoe County Sheriff’s Dept, and Pershing County Sheriff’s Dept.

[CLARKcon]

TTFN: Ta Ta For Now
ALKALI: Acidic chemical found in the dust in Black Rock City and other desert environments. Esssentially inert until mixed with moisture (i.e. water, sweat, etc.) to which it makes a low grade acidic paste.
PLAYA FOOT: Extremily dry, worsening to cracked, worsening to lacerated and infected feet from not washing and caring to feet during the event. (See ALKALI)
SALINE DRIP BAG: What the first-aid crew (see REMSA) will adminster to you if you forget to hydrate yourself (see PISS CLEAR), if you consume a large amount of alcohol without occasionally drinking water, and if you rave in the noon-time sun for hours without stopping for H20 (see E-TARD).

[Lassen Forge]

TTFN: Ta Ta For Now
ALKALI: Acidic chemical found in the dust in Black Rock City and other desert environments. Esssentially inert until mixed with moisture (i.e. water, sweat, etc.) to which it makes a low grade acidic paste.
PLAYA FOOT: Extremily dry, worsening to cracked, worsening to lacerated and infected feet from not washing and caring to feet during the event. (See ALKALI)
SALINE DRIP BAG: What the first-aid crew (see REMSA) will adminster to you if you forget to hydrate yourself (see PISS CLEAR), if you consume a large amount of alcohol without occasionally drinking water, and if you rave in the noon-time sun for hours without stopping for H20 (see E-TARD).

Gotta correct something (sorry!!!!) - Alkali is a BASE, not Acidic!!! That's why you use vinegar or lemon juice (both acidic) and water as a foot wash to counteract it!!!

Sorry... back 2 lurkitis...

bb

[Chai Guy]

Blinky Light Tour- A generally spontaneous event that occurs when participants are drawn to investigate the origins of various blinking lights across the playa. This phenomenon is often aided by the use of psychedelics. (Originally coined in a 2003 edition of Piss Clear)

Walk of Shame- Returning to camp the following morning/day wearing your clothes from the previous evening, and often without the benefit of sunglasses.

Trash Fence- The bright orange snow fence that marks the perimeter of the event, so called because its purpose is to prevent trash from being blown across the greater expanse of the Black Rock Desert.

Honey Wagon- Truck that JOTS uses to transport contents of porta-potties.

Honey Sucker- Hose attached to Honey Wagons to suck out contents of porta-potties.

[CLARKcon]

BDU: Battle Dress Uniform
ZIP-TIE: Plastic sliding-tooth tightening device. Common uses: securing tarps to structures, holding mutiple hoses/cords together.
WATER CANTEEN: You're best friend. C'Mon, it's a d e s e r t (More info, see SALINE DRIP BAG).
DUST DEVIL: Extremly high winds that make temporary mini-tornado's. Use normal caution. Can be dangerous in open playa with no cover. (see STOP, DROP, & TUCK)
STOP, DROP, & TUCK: If caught in severe dust storm for several minutes, STOP- stop walking/moving. DROP- lower self to haunch positon, minimize body mass, and TUCK- Use shirt/fabric to make a makeshift respirator. It's all fun and games until you can't breathe. NOTE: Will someone please ammend this if there is an actual term for this manuever!

[AntiM]

Huh, I seem to have been doing the Walk of Shame for decades before I even heard of Burning Man ... although it wasn't the lack of sunglasses that got me, it was the loss of my footwear sometime in the evening.

Oh, that's Youthful Indiscretions thread ...

[Eric]

Huh, I seem to have been doing the Walk of Shame for decades before I even heard of Burning Man ... although it wasn't the lack of sunglasses that got me, it was the loss of my footwear sometime in the evening.

Oh, that's Youthful Indiscretions thread ...

We always call it the "Walk of I Had More Fun Than You Last Night"
which leads me to the next entry:

Sunglasses: things you do not leave camp without. Even at night- put them in a bag. There will be a morning you need them, and with shades on no-one needs to know if you're coming or going unless you want them to.

[Dr. Pyro]

BDC&WB Barbie Death Camp & Wine Bistro. Famous theme camp, sponsors the annual Meet & Greet, part of Wheeeee!Ville.

[CLARKcon]

POLYCAMPERY: Individuals, groups, or Theme Camps intentionally/unintentionally merging and mesh to create hybrid Theme Camps or camping.
BURNERCARD: A form of payment (imaginary) used on eplaya and mock advertisments. It doesn't exist...yet...
HEEBEEGEEBEE HEALERS: (see THEME CAMP)
DMV: Referr. to BM, stands for the "Department of Mutant Vehicles". Art cars register here.
DJ: Disc Jockey
THE BAR: Referr. to eplaya. "The Bar" is an ongoing, open discussion thread for all eplayians alike.
THREAD: The actual panel of conversation located within the posted topic.
GIFT: exp: "Here, it's your's!"
BARTER/TRADE: "How about (something) for (something)? Non-monatery commerce.
FMITAWAPORR: Abbr. for "F-ck Me In The Ass With A Piece Of Rusty Re-bar", replaces/updates the expression for "FUBAR". Means worst case scenario. Your shade structure blows away: FMITAWAPORR. You ran out of water and you're on the open playa: FMITAWAPORR, etc. Note: I've actually heard this expression at BM: Twice)

[Chai Guy]

Playafied- The transformation of any object from its normal state to one of being completely covered in playa, so much so that no amount of cleaning will ever repair it.

Playarific- Deemed exceptionally suitable for use on the playa.

Shirtcocker- A man who wears a shirt, but is otherwise naked from the waist down.

Pants Cannon- A device used for the rapid deployment of pants in an effort to rid the city of the unsightly fashion statement known as "shirtcocking".