Words are Not Dirty
So the latest socks are to be called Louche. If we look up Louche we find:
adjective: shady, disreputable, of questionable moral character
Now this has led to some controversy. I got a few ravelry messages explaining that it was terribly inappropriate for me to use such a ‘bad’ word for a sock title. Now I don’t actually think it’s a bad word. I, in fact, think it’s kind of a cool word (hence my using it). I’m not really convinced there are bad words. There are words that are a poor fit for a given situation, but that doesn’t make the words themselves bad. More to the point, there are misunderstood words. I think that’s at the heart of the objections in this particular case.
So let’s go back to the dictionary. Depending on which dictionary we use, and how far we look, we might also find that louche has come to us from the Latin word luscus meaning blind in one eye and the Old French losche meaning squint eyed and the French loucher meaning to squint. Turns out, it has also sometimes meant cloudy or opaque (think cataracts and it all makes sense). It’s that connection with clouding over that leads us to the other definition found in some dictionaries:
verb: to become cloudy when mixed with water, due to the presence of anethole
This is where I was going with the name. When you mix water with absinthe, it becomes cloudy (it louches). The process is actually quite lovely. I had planned to take some pictures to show you, but ten in the morning seems a bit early for a drink. There are some videos here if you’d like to see what it looks like.
So that’s where the name comes from. The lovely pastel green/blue color of the yarn and the swirly stitch pattern made me think of the drink. I promise I’m not hoping to subvert anyone’s morality through knitting.
If they want dirty words, I can GIVE them dirty words (to paraphrase my mom).
We’re teaching the kids that some words aren’t appropriate for certain situations, like your relatively conservative day care provider. It’s curbed the cursing, but occasionally they’ll exclaim “What the Hell is that.” Words aren’t dirty.
I really like these socks no matter what you call them.
Words are wonderful(even the “bad” ones!) What would we do without them? (Yes, sometimes a nasty one is just what I need to express myself, so there!) They should be celebrated…please keep doing just that. I recently finished a pair of your Scatterlings…another fine word. 🙂
Your love of words is one of the reasons I read your blog.
The fact that you name your patterns neat words and give the definitions is one of the things I’ve always loved about you, Hunter!
Of course, I’m 100% alright with being morally questionable, since I favour ethics anyhoo. And your socks are a nicer example of louching than absinthe since they come without the scent of toothpaste 😉
I have to say, now having the full explanation and inspiration behind your choice, I like the socks even more (if that’s possible). The stitch pattern as well as the wool choice does evoke that absinthe swirl with water, it makes me want to knit them right now! If only I had that wool.
Also, is it even possible to subvert someone’s morality through knitting? If so I’d love to know how!
🙂
I love the name! Consider them socks for when you have some secret objective or super stealth thing to accomplish….off to see how I can use this word more often….
Oh wait, the socks are beautiful….