One of the more peculiar aspects of my new blog, without question, is its subtitle: “All the Nose that’s fit to blog.” Where on earth does that come from, and what does it mean? Well, as Page 2 of the August 29, 1995 issue of the Living Room Times newspaper explains:
One thing about this newspaper that often confuses readers is our slogan, which has been included on every issue ever printed of The Living Room Times.
The slogan, of course, is “All the Nose that’s fit to print.”
And the truth is, it doesn’t really mean anything.
Brendan Loy came up with it on December 27, 1993, when he wrote the first issue of the Times. He decided to call the newspaper, which was at that point written only for the sake of writing it—Brendan didn’t start bringing it to school until several months later—“The Living Room Times.”
This name reminded him of the world-famous New York Times, which has the slogan “All the News that’s fit to print.” Brendan wanted his slogan to be slightly different, so he came up with a nonsensical, meaningless, and somewhat corny satire: “All the Nose that’s fit to print.”
The slogan stuck, and has now become a Times tradition.
In light of that tradition, it seemed only natural to adapt the slogan to the bloggy reincarnation of The Living Room Times. So, instead of “fit to print,” now it’s “fit to blog.” But “All the Nose” remains, in all its glorious silliness and meaninglessness.
Becky, however, thinks keeping the old slogan is a stupid, terrible idea, as it’s obscure, nonsensical and will require constant explaining to the uninitiated. Frankly, I think she may have a point — and I was bolstered in this belief when Josh Rubin, one of the LRT‘s biggest fans during high school, expressed similar sentiments via e-mail.
But I’m still undecided on the point. So the question is, first of all, should I keep the slogan? And second of all, if I get rid of it, what should I then put in the white space at top right? What should take its place? You can answer question #1 via the poll below, and question #2 in comments.
I think I made it in. Keep the nose.
Hola, Bea! 🙂 Oh, he’ll keep The Nose all right, Señora. If he ever changed That his Loomer ancestors, from whom he inherits the finely-chiseled proboscis, would Haunt him forevermore ;}. Yes, the Loomer Nose is nothing to Sneeze at, believe you me. / But whether he keeps the original Subtitle is another matter; it may not pass the Smell test. / Me, I’ll vote for it out of fambly sentimentality, yknow, just for auld lang syne :]
Brendan: Belatedly — I had Registration difficulties as you know, should’ve called ACORN for assistance ;> — congratulations, fine-looking blog, & Welcome Back! i.e.,
Óró ‘Sé do bheatha ‘bhaile,
Óró ‘Sé do bheatha ‘bhaile,
Óró ‘Sé do bheatha ‘bhaile,
Anois ar theacht an tsamhraidh!
(for the Unlettered: …Oh, then you are welcome homeward, Now at summer’s coming 🙂