Last Man Standing: Unpack Your Adjectives
By sammymaudlin on Dec 30, 2009
140 comments
Comment from: misterioso [Member] 
Plastic Ono Band.
Admittedly, it is not clear whether 'Ono' is being used adjectivally or substantively. I am opting for the former. My reasons may be best conveyed by this video.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b9fFnVudKSI
Admittedly, it is not clear whether 'Ono' is being used adjectivally or substantively. I am opting for the former. My reasons may be best conveyed by this video.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b9fFnVudKSI
12/30/09 @ 10:44
Comment from: Mr. Moderator [Member]
For the record [adjusts Pince Nez] "my" is not an adjective, is it?
12/30/09 @ 11:03
Comment from: cdm [Member]
Okay, does "Oyster" count when used to describe a type of Blue Cult?
12/30/09 @ 11:15
Comment from: sammymaudlin [Member]
Indeed "my" is not an adjective. Any 5th graders out there that can tell us what it is?
Judges in The Back Office have also disqualified "Ono" due to lack of evidence.
Judges in The Back Office have also disqualified "Ono" due to lack of evidence.
12/30/09 @ 11:16
Comment from: cdm [Member]
Some sort of possessive noun? For the record, I never claimed to be smarter than a 5th grader.
12/30/09 @ 11:19
Comment from: sammymaudlin [Member]
To head off any more "Oyster Onos" let's try this as a rule of thumb...
You should be able to fill in the blank below with your adjective and have it make reasonable sense.
"My bike is ______."
You should be able to fill in the blank below with your adjective and have it make reasonable sense.
"My bike is ______."
12/30/09 @ 11:20
Comment from: misterioso [Member]
Sammymaudlin, surely you jest! If 'Ono' does not possess descriptive qualities, then you must have your hands over your ears. Which, of course, is the whole point. And, having tried that, I can still say it doesn't work.
12/30/09 @ 11:23
Comment from: sammymaudlin [Member]
OK, so some hefty research tells me that "Ono" and "Oyster" are attributive nouns or noun adjuncts but not adjectives. From the never-wrong Wikipedia:
In many languages, including English, it is possible for nouns to modify other nouns. Unlike adjectives, nouns acting as modifiers (called attributive nouns or noun adjuncts) are not predicative; a beautiful park is beautiful, but a car park is not "car"
12/30/09 @ 11:28
Comment from: misterioso [Member]
Far be it for me to argue with Wikipedia, but, still, I beg to differ! I present in evidence the following overheard snippet of conversation, the transcript of which I chance to have at hand:
Speaker 1: Dude, shut that crap off!
Speaker 2: Whaddya mean?
Speaker 1: That is the most Ono sounding thing I've ever heard!
Speaker 2: You mean it's screechy, annoying, and yet people with of a knee-jerk contrarian bent will convince themselves that it is actually brilliant and visionary?
Speaker 1: Precisely, my friend, precisely.
So, someone alert the OED.
Speaker 1: Dude, shut that crap off!
Speaker 2: Whaddya mean?
Speaker 1: That is the most Ono sounding thing I've ever heard!
Speaker 2: You mean it's screechy, annoying, and yet people with of a knee-jerk contrarian bent will convince themselves that it is actually brilliant and visionary?
Speaker 1: Precisely, my friend, precisely.
So, someone alert the OED.
12/30/09 @ 11:37
Comment from: sammymaudlin [Member]
hr: I'm afraid that "Head" and "Audio" and perhaps even "Puff" fall into the noun adjuncts territory and thus are not qualified. But we do have a case of Turtle Wax for you.
12/30/09 @ 12:59
Comment from: BigSteve [Member]
Old Dirty Bastard is not a band. Anyway I'll use my twofer -- pub rock band Chilli Willi & the Red Hot Peppers.
12/30/09 @ 14:57
Comment from: mickavory [Member]
Got a two-fer here:
Commander Cody and His Lost Planet Airmen
Dan Hicks and His Hot Licks
Commander Cody and His Lost Planet Airmen
Dan Hicks and His Hot Licks
12/30/09 @ 20:56
Comment from: BigSteve [Member]
Guys, guys, 'my' and 'his' are not adjectives, but the possessive form of a personal pronoun.
Damn the rules that prohibit me from suggesting either Hot Hot Heat and Wet Wet Wet.
Damn the rules that prohibit me from suggesting either Hot Hot Heat and Wet Wet Wet.
12/30/09 @ 21:18
Comment from: Mr. Moderator [Member]
Nice one, BigSteve. THAT'S the competitive spirit!
Young Fresh Fellows.
LAST MAN STANDING!
Young Fresh Fellows.
LAST MAN STANDING!
12/30/09 @ 21:47
Comment from: chickenfrank [Member]
The Jolly Green Giants.
(AndyR would back me up if he weren't still in the holy land)
(AndyR would back me up if he weren't still in the holy land)
12/31/09 @ 08:26
Comment from: chickenfrank [Member]
Neither squirrel, nut, nor zipper is an adjective. Those are all nouns. Squirrelly and nutty are adjectives.
12/31/09 @ 10:53
Comment from: BigSteve [Member]
German electrodub jazz band The Tied & Tickled Trio. I, the Last Man Standing, am not making this up.
12/31/09 @ 11:08
Comment from: junkintheyard [Member]
While Squirrel and Nut are describing the Zipper at hand, I will submit that there was a rule in place which ignored that little quirk of the English Language.
Squirrelly Nutty Zippers does have a ring to it!
Blood Red Sun
Squirrelly Nutty Zippers does have a ring to it!
Blood Red Sun
12/31/09 @ 11:09
Comment from: BigSteve [Member]
Ok, one more time, a noun, like say 'blood,' may modify another word, but that does not make it an adjective. An example of an adjective would be 'bloody.'
Signed,
The Last Man Standing
Signed,
The Last Man Standing
12/31/09 @ 11:15
Sunny Day Real Estate
You beat me to it, cdm. I was just about to post that before I saw yours.
Anyway, here's mine.
Nitty Gritty Dirt Band.
Now hand over the belt. :-)
12/31/09 @ 11:39
Comment from: cdm [Member]
Not so fast Mr Grabby. Check 12/30/09 @ 23:15 as you are handing the belt back.
12/31/09 @ 11:42
Not so fast Mr Grabby. Check 12/30/09 @ 23:15 as you are handing the belt back.
I honestly missed that one. Sorry! How about the Murder City Devils?
12/31/09 @ 11:52
Comment from: underthefloat [Member]
Nice on misterioso!
But I'll add...
The Incredible String Band
But I'll add...
The Incredible String Band
12/31/09 @ 12:36
The Strawberry Alarm Clock
The Chocolate Watch Band!
12/31/09 @ 12:40
Comment from: misterioso [Member]
Pince-nez, please: If we are splitting hairs--and it appears we are--then I believe that "String Band" is a compound noun. Likewise "Alarm Clock." Thus, "Incredible" and "Strawberry" would be the adjectives modifying the respective compound nouns.
12/31/09 @ 12:49
Comment from: Sonny [Member]
A great Philly bar band from the 80s-90s:
Johnny O and the Classic Dogs of Love!
Hand over the belt, please.
Johnny O and the Classic Dogs of Love!
Hand over the belt, please.
12/31/09 @ 13:33
Comment from: BigSteve [Member]
I, soon to be the Last Man Standing, am tired of playing parts-of-speech policeman, however needed my services may be in this blog of adjectival lawlessness. So I'll just mention Old and New Dreams, the band formed by Ornette Coleman's former sidemen.
12/31/09 @ 13:57
Comment from: cdm [Member]
I hear you Big Steve.
Big Brother and the Holding Company
Now hand it over.
Big Brother and the Holding Company
Now hand it over.
12/31/09 @ 14:08
Comment from: misterioso [Member]
Yes, carrying the cross of grammatical punctiliousness is a heavy burden.
Plain White T's.
Gimme.
Plain White T's.
Gimme.
12/31/09 @ 14:23
Comment from: chickenfrank [Member]
Members simply throwing names with two nouns in a row, and then justifying it by saying one noun is describing the next noun MUST be just trying to tweak us. There's no way this many people don't know what an adjective is.
Unlike a name like Bitter Bitter Weeks.
Unlike a name like Bitter Bitter Weeks.
12/31/09 @ 14:32
Comment from: misterioso [Member]
chickenfrank, you are so right. However, "The use of the same adjective does not qualify, see Mighty Mighty Bosstones."
I don't make the rules, I just point them out.
I don't make the rules, I just point them out.
12/31/09 @ 14:38
Comment from: chickenfrank [Member]
You're right, I didn't see the disqualification. And, I'm submitting a protest. If anything, I think using the same adjective is worthy of a bonus. It's harder. I did see Hot Hot Heat earlier. I'm submitting my protest to Boutrous Boutrous Ghali.
12/31/09 @ 14:45
Comment from: BigSteve [Member]
Speaking of Big Brother, I guess the news has gotten around that guitarist James Gurley died last week. That band's reputation has not held up well in rock nerd circles, but I'll go to the mat for his lead playing on Piece of My Heart. I think it's a classic slab of psychedelia that found a home on millions of AM radios. R.I.P.
12/31/09 @ 14:55
Comment from: underthefloat [Member]
Doh!!
Sadly, I really wasn't tweaking everyone with my 2 weak attempts.
Stupid college education!!!
I'll attempt some sort of redemption with this one:
Cool Blue Halo
Sadly, I really wasn't tweaking everyone with my 2 weak attempts.
Stupid college education!!!
I'll attempt some sort of redemption with this one:
Cool Blue Halo
12/31/09 @ 16:07
Comment from: chickenfrank [Member]
Come on!!
Please tell me the 2 adjectives in
Altered (adj) Images (noun)
Dead (adj) Milkmen (noun)
Creedence (noun) Clear (adj) Water (noun) Revival (noun)
When did Mowgli put you all up to this. Is it 12/31 today or 4/1???
Please tell me the 2 adjectives in
Altered (adj) Images (noun)
Dead (adj) Milkmen (noun)
Creedence (noun) Clear (adj) Water (noun) Revival (noun)
When did Mowgli put you all up to this. Is it 12/31 today or 4/1???
12/31/09 @ 17:36
Comment from: eh [Member]
I also question CCR's adjectival legitimacy, but you're gonna have to use complete sentences in maligning "altered" and "dead."
Dirty Projectors
Dirty Projectors
12/31/09 @ 17:40
Comment from: chickenfrank [Member]
The game is TWO adjectives per band name! I think you are only supplying one adjective band names. Or you just don't like me.
12/31/09 @ 17:45
Comment from: chickenfrank [Member]
I'm one errant noun away from charging down a flaming hall ala Mad Man Mutt from Barton Fink taking out as many rock nerds as I can.
I WILL SHOW YOU THE LIFE OF THE MIND!!!!!!
I WILL SHOW YOU THE LIFE OF THE MIND!!!!!!
12/31/09 @ 18:46
Comment from: cherguevarra [Member]
I'm slow on the take, but the "Prefab" in Prefab Sprout is one word.
Do "Shadowy Men on a shadowy planet" count? One adjective, used twice, but not quite in the way described in the challenge.
Do "Shadowy Men on a shadowy planet" count? One adjective, used twice, but not quite in the way described in the challenge.
12/31/09 @ 20:32
Comment from: BigSteve [Member]
Is 'sex' an adjective? I think not.
I'm beginning to get discouraged from going forward with my LMS contest asking for song titles using the pluperfect tense.
I'm beginning to get discouraged from going forward with my LMS contest asking for song titles using the pluperfect tense.
12/31/09 @ 22:35
Comment from: eh [Member]
two adjectives, gotcha. that changes things a little.
legendary pink dots
legendary pink dots
12/31/09 @ 23:23
Comment from: eh [Member]
in this glorious and hopefully-bountiful new year we all deserve a little clarity on important matters, so i'd like a ruling on whether...ah, nevermind. i got nothin'.
01/01/10 @ 14:41
Comment from: sammymaudlin [Member]
Welcome bostonhistorian and congrats on having a literacy level superior to many here. Sadly I need to trump you with:
Big Bad Voodoo Daddies
Big Bad Voodoo Daddies
01/02/10 @ 10:42
Comment from: hrrundivbakshi [Member]
Assuming they mean "light" the way I want them to:
The Electric Light Orchestra
The Electric Light Orchestra
01/02/10 @ 11:16
Comment from: hrrundivbakshi [Member]
But if you're not down with that, I am *still* the Last Man Standing with Japanese lounge popsters:
Fantastic Plastic Machine
I AM THE LAST MAN STANDING!
Fantastic Plastic Machine
I AM THE LAST MAN STANDING!
01/02/10 @ 11:18
Comment from: BigSteve [Member]
The artists behind Analog Africa's excellent compilation The Kings of Benin Urban Groove 1972-80 -- T-P Orchestre Poly-Rythmo de Cotonou Dahomey. (T-P stands for 'tout puissant' or almighty.)
01/02/10 @ 14:21
Comment from: BigSteve [Member]
The New Christy Minstrels doesn't count. They're named that because they were founded by someone names Edwin Pearce Christy.
In any case -- Young Marble Giants.
In any case -- Young Marble Giants.
01/03/10 @ 20:27
Comment from: Mr. Moderator [Member]
Damn you, BigSteve! How about American Analog Set?
01/03/10 @ 22:48
Comment from: hrrundivbakshi [Member]
Townsman Rickmassimo's own Neo-90s Dance Band. They qualify because they actually put out a very good album back in the day.
I am the LAST MAN STANDING!
I am the LAST MAN STANDING!
01/04/10 @ 09:19
Comment from: alexmagic [Member]
DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince
Which was the name of the band, since their frontman used his own name when he went solo.
Which was the name of the band, since their frontman used his own name when he went solo.
01/04/10 @ 09:59
Comment from: BigSteve [Member]
American Music Club? Last time I looked, which was just now, 'music' was a noun and not an adjective.
Note the use of TWO adjectives in a band name such as Simian Mobile Disco.
LMS!
Note the use of TWO adjectives in a band name such as Simian Mobile Disco.
LMS!
01/04/10 @ 10:25
Comment from: Mr. Moderator [Member]
"Music" is being used as an adjective. It's not any old American Club, but an American MUSIC Club. At one point, I maintain that I WAS INDEED Last Man Standing! Now you are, BigSteve. Enjoy the view.
01/04/10 @ 10:29
Comment from: sammymaudlin [Member]
Sorry to nez you Mod but Music in this case is a "noun adjunct" and previously determined foul territory. Weren't you an English major?
In many languages, including English, it is possible for nouns to modify other nouns. Unlike adjectives, nouns acting as modifiers (called attributive nouns or noun adjuncts) are not predicative; a beautiful park is beautiful, but a car park is not "car"
01/04/10 @ 10:42
Comment from: Mr. Moderator [Member]
sammy, I appreciate the English lesson, but I've decided that they're wrong. That's just the way I feel about it, and for having such feelings you can blame my Quaker education.
More importantly, though, if alexmagic's going to stand tall with "The Savage Young Beatles" I'll stand taller with The Angry Young Them!
More importantly, though, if alexmagic's going to stand tall with "The Savage Young Beatles" I'll stand taller with The Angry Young Them!
01/04/10 @ 11:27
Comment from: BigSteve [Member]
The Exploding Plastic Inevitable, which I know wasn't really a band but neither were Savage Young Beatles or Angry Young Them. Plus it's got THREE adjectives.
01/04/10 @ 12:40
Comment from: Mr. Moderator [Member]
BigSteve just wants to win one of these things, doesn't he? I envision him cranking up some primo Winner Rock with a handful of 2-adjective band names stuffed in his hip pocket. The sad thing is, no matter how hard he works at winning this contest - or any of us - the master of Last Man Standing competitions, Townsman cherguevara, will wait until this thead falls off The Main Stage and then strike with a decisive blow:) Watch it, cher, BigSteve's holding a 4-adjective tie-breaker band name! Me? I've got at least one more band name:
Thin White Rope
LMS!
Thin White Rope
LMS!
01/04/10 @ 16:28
Comment from: BigSteve [Member]
In 1965 L'Orchestra African Fiesta split into two factions, one being Rochereau et l'African Fiesta National and the other Dr. Nico et l'African Fiesta Sukisa. I'm only going to take one credit for this, because I've never been able to determine what Sukisa means and therefore cannot vouch for its adjectivity.
01/04/10 @ 16:57
Comment from: Mr. Moderator [Member]
"Sukisa" may mean "I love you," otherwise known as Mr. Mod Still Stands Tall!
http://www.csua.berkeley.edu/~leon/mi/lyrics/sukisa.html
http://www.csua.berkeley.edu/~leon/mi/lyrics/sukisa.html
01/04/10 @ 17:33
Comment from: plasticsun [Member]
Big Bad Wolf - I'm sure such a name has been used
01/04/10 @ 21:47
Comment from: BigSteve [Member]
Even if Sukisa is not an adjective, that still leaves l'African Fiesta National, and both African and National are both adjectives.
01/04/10 @ 22:38
Comment from: Mr. Moderator [Member]
Can I get a ruling on Bonzo Dog Doo Dah Band? Thanks.
01/04/10 @ 23:10
Comment from: shonuffnyesido [Member]
Who cares Mr. Moderator! I've got one -- Big Bad Voodoo Daddy. LOL!
01/04/10 @ 23:15
Comment from: BigSteve [Member]
Airborne Toxic Event ... I know, it's such a cliche to name your band after something in a Don DeLillo novel.
01/05/10 @ 00:43
Comment from: hrrundivbakshi [Member]
Sorry, BigSteve, I gotta swipe the belt with Sun Records' own:
Little Junior's Blue Flames
I *am* the Last Man Standing!
HVB
Little Junior's Blue Flames
I *am* the Last Man Standing!
HVB
01/05/10 @ 00:58
Comment from: alexmagic [Member]
Marky Mark & The Funky Bunch
(Marky being a somewhat obscure, music-centric adjectival phrase used to describe frontman Mark Wahlberg. It had historical precedence, having previously been used to describe members of The Ramones: one of their drummers was often referred to as the "marky Ramone." I will only accept a ruling from Maudlin on my use of this archaic term, since The Mod has a strong and well-known anti-Ramone bias.)
(Marky being a somewhat obscure, music-centric adjectival phrase used to describe frontman Mark Wahlberg. It had historical precedence, having previously been used to describe members of The Ramones: one of their drummers was often referred to as the "marky Ramone." I will only accept a ruling from Maudlin on my use of this archaic term, since The Mod has a strong and well-known anti-Ramone bias.)
01/05/10 @ 09:19
Comment from: BigSteve [Member]
More than one band has used this name, since it's a good one -- The Full Grown Men.
01/05/10 @ 11:55
Who cares Mr. Moderator! I've got one -- Big Bad Voodoo Daddy. LOL!
On a similar note, how about The Royal Crown Revue and The Amazing Royal Crowns (a rockabilly-ish band who were around in the '90s and based in Rhode Island, if memory serves), who had to change their name to The Amazing Crowns when Royal Crown Revue threatened them with ligitation. They called their 1st album under their new name Royal, so you gotta love that.
Sorry if they've already been mentioned!
01/05/10 @ 15:17
Comment from: BigSteve [Member]
Damn, and I was going to call my new band Diet Rite Cherry Cola Revue!
01/05/10 @ 15:35
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