Urban Dictionary submission

My searching had led to the decision that ‘smogation’ was an as-yet unused term and so now had to assign meaning and push it into the public eye… How could I just throw a new word into the world wide web? Urban Dictionary seemed a good place to start.

According to Wikipedia ‘Urban Dictionary is a crowdsourced online dictionary of slang words and phrases that was founded in 1999 as a parody of Dictionary.com and Vocabulary.com’ and anyone can make a submission.

On the 18^th of December I submitted the following:

Word: smogation
Definition: NOUN Countable (smog + vacation): when the place of work or study is closed due to poor air quality and workers or students are required to take an unexpected holiday.
Example: Jimmy's school is closed for 3 days due to the air pollution red alert so he's on smogation.

And the next day I received a rejection email:

Thanks for your definition of smogation!
A few volunteer editors read your definition and decided to not publish it. Don't take it personally!
Try rewriting your definition so that it's easier for others to understand, then try again.
Thanks,
Urban Dictionary

I had a quick look at some Urban Dictionary entries and observed that a lot of them seem to refer to bodily parts/functions, sex, drugs and insulting VIPS. So I dumbed my definition down and stuck in a reference to Trump (how much more topical could I have got in late 2017???). Here’s the secnd attempt:

Word: smogation
Definition: Day when the air quality in China is so bad that the government orders businesses and schools to shut giving people an extra holiday. The word smogation comes from smog and vacation.
Example: Trump reckons climate change is something made up by the Chinese workers when they're on smogation.

And I got the same rejection email… ‘Don't take it personally!’ they say??!!

smog+vacation

Having uttered this word smog-cation in a bar, I investigated further using the unscientific method of a Google search. The first point to be considered was whether my word was smocation or smogation...

'Smocation' seemed to already exist. The search brought back:

·       various references to and even videos of  'Silicon Valley, season 2, episode 8'; 

·       a twitter hastag  #smocation from 2011;

·       an entry in https://portmanteaulist.wordpress.com/category/smocation/ from 2015; 'smoker + location from Silicon Valley, season 2, episode 8';

·       and an app that aimed to let smokers find each other!

The returns for 'Smogation', on the other hand, had no connection with the blended word concept I was interested in. According to May's Mostly Warfare Blog in a brief synopsis of the Battle of Grunwald in 1410, the Smogations were a pagan tribe that fought against the Teutonic Knights in the 'Smogation uprising'.

The other Google suggestion was the Smogarians, who various internet answer sites claim are 'a politically correct fictitious race of people who are intellectually challenged.'  Apparently, they feature in the Super-Duper Good Clean Jokes for Kids by Bob Phillips, published on the first of April, 2000.

The first smogation?

Back in mid December 2016, China, and Beijing in particular, was experiencing some incredibly high air pollution levels: see for example:
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/dec/17/beijing-smog-pollution-red-alert-declared-in-china-capital-and-21-other-cities
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/dec/21/smog-refugees-flee-chinese-cities-as-airpocalypse-blights-half-a-billion

One cold, smoggy evening I had taken refuge in the Plan B Bar, located in the Shuangjing district of the city and was discussing the smog problem with some bar regulars. We often gathered there so the owner, Trevor, could show us the 'real' AQI  (Air Quality Index) levels as obtained from the US embassy.

One of the assembled party taught in an international school, located nearby, and he explained that the school was closed on government orders so that the pupils would reduce exposure to such dangerous levels of pollution. This enforced closure had been reported in the news, and some of my university students had protested that it was unfair that they had to keep coming to classes.

I asked this acquaintance why he didn't get out of the city, as many people were doing; he explained that could be called back to work with very short notice so travelling wasn't an option. A somewhat limited staycation then, we laughed... or even a smog-cation....

smogation

The purpose of this post is to mention that lovely blend word 'smogation'.

It's formed by combining smog (itself a blend of smoke and fog; first reference 1905 OED) with vacation.

The meaning is the enforced holidays caused when schools or workplaces are closed due to the high pollution levels.

Will this become a real word?

Fri 9th

Following hurricane Bawbag, I took to the meadows in shorts again. 1 full, which was quite tiring, then 1 low. About 5.5 kms in 35 mins. No music as mp3 was under the bed. And today it snowed!

Tues 6th Dec

Seems that cold run last Tues was a bit much...had very stiff thighs til Fri and slight sore throat / cough. Went on an hour walk up Salisbury Crags on Sun after the 1st snow fall, which melted damn quickly.

So, today was 2 full circuits at a careful pace as there was ice about. Enjoyed the Ramones and wore a lot: track suit bottoms, t-shirt & hoodie. Jogged 7km in about 40mins or so. Think it'll have to be more clothed runs in future to avoid flu/cough! 

Tues 29/11

after a Sunday off, although I cycled out to Slateford, I was back up for 4 low (10k) in cold but good conditions with Lydia shrieking & Roland twanging! 45 mins or so. legs back on good form!

sat 26/11

2 low plods...legs not very good at all....head cleaned by end...about 30 mins with a bog/stretch stop. New headphones so Thrill Kill K K Kult!

Thurs 24th

Evening run 50mins in wind & light rain. 4 low circuits so about 10k. Faster than I intended but once ya get it going... Was also troubled by maurauding gangs of military fit runners! Legs seem OK and that's been 2 long runs in 3 days...

Sun 20th

Forgot to post...1 very delicate plod round the meadows which did sooth both head & legs. think it took 25 mins!

Tues 22

Hooray...good run: full meadows in cold sun 11km (or 11.25!) in 1 hour. Then a wee wind down jog (2) in 10 mins! See how the legs are the morn!

Sat 19

Two full circuits in the fragile sun of 3pm. So about 7.5 kms in 35 mins And most importantly no pain or discomfort yet!

Thurs 17th

Another 2 low laps...25mins...no so cold so shorts & t-shirt.

Legs esp left shin no feeling natural..ho hum!

Tues 15th

Again 2 low circuits..untimed & without music (bloody headphones!). It was a bit easier than last Thurs but I could still feel my legs grumbling away...thanks to the great Bristol march!

Conditions were cold and dark and I ran in long sleeves/legs, but I warmed up quickly

Thu 10 Nov

So 2 low meadows (5km? 5.5?) in November sun with Jimmi Tennor in 25/26 mins with delicate shin bits! I plodded along but it was an effort. Never mind; I did it! Away to Bristol for w/e so no running!

Tues 8/11

Dark and misty 5-6pm run. No bloody light at the Links!

3* full meadows with The Cramps. So 11.25 kms in 1 hour. Feel fine so far...

Sun 6 November

NEW DIRECTION...RUNNING!!

Today I did a hungover jog - 2* full meadows + half low + up Mid Meadows walk to Bristo SQ. Total about 10. Time 1hr. crisp clear day. Later had cycle round Hollyrood.

Last weekend nought as was at Helen's wedding.

Tues...good jog/run just 2 low with a dash at the end.
Thurs..started jog 1 full, then ran low with sprint. Need to forget sprints until more strength built up!

Evaluation

I came back to Edinburgh to do this course as a highly motivated individual, but also with a lot of fears, worries and uncertainties. I knew I wanted to get into Uni and I knew this course would put me back into the learning environment. I was fairly confident that I would be able to adapt my ‘teacher’ lifestyle to being a student without too many problems. My expectations? I guess I had hoped for something more academic, but that’s to do with the path I wish to follow. Clearly, there has to be a practical element to this course.


One of the most positive experiences was meeting and getting on with my class mates, many of whom are considerably younger than I. It was great learning to work together, and being able to help some people. Hopefully, I can also say I won the respect of my teachers! Other good points were that I became comfortable on the ‘other side’ of the classroom and used that freedom to investigate the directions I felt to be interesting, as well as what I had to.

The course could be improved by:
• Microsoft Word tutorial at beginning of course
• Essay writing tutorial near beginning of course
• The 2 points above could be used to prepare for writing the UCAS personal statement
• Separate English language component for non-native speakers
• Clearer guidance about plagiarism – still a lot of fear & uncertainty
• A clear document for each subject detailing assessments & assignments to be passed; Scott had an excellent one for Communication

My own performance has been above satisfactory! I have passed all elements of the course without undue effort or stress, although the level did allow me to take certain liberties: I should have worked harder on my notes taking. I have remained generally motivated and patient; and have tried to look on the bright side when faced with adversary and disheartenment. I have tried to help my peers both when I am in college, and through email. Since Easter, things have dragged a little and I’ve felt frustrated with some of the restrictions placed on the course content by the practicality of exam preparation.

I'd say that I have learned more about myself and my learning processes than anything of great significance within the subjects. Maths & French served to remind me of skills I had studied before. Literature & History extended the level and scope of my abilities within these subjects. Communication confirmed some of my strengths. Spanish challenged me to convert my knowledge into more accurate constructions. I fine tuned my abilities to make and keep commitments, to set workable timetables and to prioritize.

Live long and prosper

Monday 17th

Last week continued to be a period of disruption due to ankle pain, and the London trip. However, I handed in the History essay, read more of Cochrane, did another mock Spanish Higher and worked on Literature. So life goes ambling on! Oh, and I got good news from SAAS about finance for next year!

I had a wee meeting with Madeleine, and she reckons I’ll be fine. It was a bit frustrating as I would have liked to talk more but so it goes. I’ve got nearly 2000 words for the comparative essay which is too much, but I’ll let Madeleine worry about that.

This week all I’ve really got to do is 

Work on my “Enduring Love” essay

Write about Cochrane – I’ve got a pretty clear idea of the direction

Do Spanish homework

And that’s all folks!!

10th of May

I’m sat at home with my ankle in an elevated state today...it’s my own silly fault for running through the pain, and it’s definitely taken its toll over the last week! Once again I realise how reliant on good health, both physical and mental, I am. It’s been difficult to really get into work of late due to aches and pains. Still, at least I’ve taken some positive steps to move on from past mistakes.


We’ve been doing a lot of exam practice in Spanish, and Jordi has been giving out writing assignments which, I hope, has got me back into the groove! I really should get a better dictionary...Marta seemed to have a good one.

I’ve been making slow but steady progress on the Literature work...I really enjoyed reading “Enduring Love” again, and I’m happy to summarise the plot, but I’m not certain about analyzing the ‘writer’s craft’. I have a check up meeting with Madeleine tomorrow. The comparison essay is also unclear...I could write loads, but it’s only supposed to be 1,500 words. I need to seek advice, and one should never be ashamed to admit that!

Wrote and handed in what I think is a damn fine history essay on the Treaty of Versailles. However, Evan has dished out the Hitler one, and wants it in for this Friday!!!! Now, I didn’t like that so I took positive proactive action and wrote 1,900 words of it over the w/e. That required me to speed up the whole investigate, write, consider, re-write and so on process. A pity as I feel that I build up a clearer picture and hence a better essay by doing some work then looking at it again after some time away. Fresh perspectives and all that jazz! But the Hitler one looks OK, so I’ve proved I can bang out an essay over 36 hrs or so. Oh, and we’ve got to do another bloody in-class assessment so that’ll have my hands aching!

It would have been useful to have been given a handout with brief details of ALL the essays, assignments, assessments, projects to be passed AT THE BEGGINNING of the course. Ah well, what goes on....