Growing up, I used the term "okie tan" to describe the sun tan lines you get from wearing a t-shirt. Everyone I knew in my hometown of Bakersfield, California called it the same thing. I moved away to the big, big city of Fresno and heard a friend say "farmer tan" (or "farmer's tan") to describe that distintive tan. I had never heard that term before. The conversation probably went something like this:
friend: ...So now I've got this dumb farmer tan.
me: What?
friend: My farmer tan.
me: What?
friend (impatiently): My farmer tan. I've got a farmer tan. See? <pulling up short sleeve to reveal contrasting skin tones>
me: Oh! You mean an okie tan!
friend: What?
me: An okie tan.
friend: What?
me (impatiently): An okie tan!!! <pulling up my own short sleeve to reveal contrasting skin tones>
Of course, that's how a lot of my conversations go... So, I've been thinking about this recently and googled "okie tan". The search turned up ONE occurrence of its use.... by a girl in Delano (a city 30 miles north of Bakersfield). So apparently the use of this phrase is limited to a very small region although it is widely used within that region. Isn't that weird?
Have you ever heard "okie tan" before? What term do you use to describe a t-shirt shaped tan? And where did you learn that term? Leave a comment.
2 comments:
I always learn new words and terms from you Sara...you are quite the educational friend!!
I had not heard the term 'okie tan' before. It's always been a 'farmer tan' to me. Not sure where I learned the term, but it's what I use! :D
Totally "okie tan" all the way! Of course... I'm from b-town too. The okies did settle down in Bakersfield and not Fresno, right? Am I remembering my "Grapes of Wrath" book correctly? Anyway, I've had numerous of the same type of conversations too, Sara.
Also, I think "our" oldies station played some songs from the late 60's/early 70's that shouldn't technically be "oldies". I have learned quite a bit over the past 10 years since my departure.
I must add that I think that most places have their own words for things, but that b-town doesn't have any cities nearby to pass their new words on to. (Unlike so cal, for ex)
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