The Jargon of Barbershop

The Jargon of Barbershop
Author(s): Donald J. Richardson and Richard Markley

Source: American Speech, Vol. 50, No. 3/4 (Autumn - Winter, 1975), pp. 293-304
Published by: Duke University Press
Stable URL: https://www.jstor.org/stable/3088008
Accessed: 31-10-2018 18:47 UTC
REFERENCES
Linked references are available on JSTOR for this article:
https://www.jstor.org/stable/3088008?seq=1&cid=pdf-reference#references_tab_contents
You may need to log in to JSTOR to access the linked references.
JSTOR is a not-for-profit service that helps scholars, researchers, and students discover, use, and build upon a wide
range of content in a trusted digital archive. We use information technology and tools to increase productivity and
facilitate new forms of scholarship. For more information about JSTOR, please contact support@jstor.org.
Your use of the JSTOR archive indicates your acceptance of the Terms & Conditions of Use, available at
https://about.jstor.org/terms
Duke University Press is collaborating with JSTOR to digitize, preserve and extend access to
American Speech
This content downloaded from 200.130.19.175 on Wed, 31 Oct 2018 18:47:59 UTC
All use subject to https://about.jstor.org/terms
THE JARGON OF BARBERSHOP
DONALD J. RICHARDSON
Phoenix College
USIC SUNG in the barbershop, often proverbially bad, has been a

tradition since the Renaissance, but skillful barbershop har-
monizing is perhaps no older than the first decade of the twentieth century,
while organized singing through the Society for the Preservation and
Encouragement of Barber Shop Quartet Singing in America, Inc., did not
begin until 1938. Like any other specialized activity, barbershop has de-
veloped its own terminology that allows its participants to communicate
about technical matters as well as to identify with one another as insiders.
Maurer and Vogel (1967, p. 318) have written, "It is basic to human social
organization that whenever people are closely associated, they develop
certain special aspects of language, often on several different levels." They
add, "Thus printers, sailors, railroaders, physicians, etc., develop a sort of
occupational language which is functional as well as social in its nature."
Most hobbyists also develop an occupational language, and barbershoppers,
or organized male quartet singers, are no different.
Despite the fact that barbershoppers have been harmonizing for three-
quarters of a century, the language with which they discuss their activities
has been little noted by nonenthusiasts. The popular press occasionally
refers to some of the jargon in articles on barbershopping, but scholarly
studies have been lacking. My experience as a barbershopper goes back to
1965, and I have been a member of the SPEBSQSA, Inc., as the Society is
acronymically known, since 1969. Through its publications, the Society
introduces new members to the specialized language of barbershopping. As
one might expect, some introduction is necessary: new members have no idea
what an afterglow is; B & B means nothing to them; BO TT [boutaI] sounds
like wearing apparel, and CO TS might be the plural for a piece of furniture.
It is noteworthy that over 20 percent of the terms listed in the glossary
below are acronyms, pronounced either as a word (PROBE) or as letter
names (B & B). This high percentage of acronyms is consistent with the
purpose of jargon, which is to communicate complicated ideas, while at the
same time including both the speaker and the listener within a special class
of those who are "in the know." Thus when a speaker says CO TS, the listener
knows he means 'Chapter Officers' Training School' and demonstrates that
he himself is no neophyte barbershopper by the fact that he does not have to
ask for an explanation.
294 AMERICAN SPEECH
For the glossary, I have relied primarily on Society publications a

handouts. In addition, I have referred to local bulletins published, us
monthly, by the three chapters I have been associated with: the Iowa
Old Capitol Chorus; the Hays, Kansas, High Plains Chorus (High N
From High Plains); and the Phoenix, Arizona, Saguaro Chapter (
Phoenician). There are also district publications, such as the Central S
Serenade and Westunes. The Society publishes its own bimonthly maga
The Harmonizer, which is a valuable source of jargon used by barbershopp
There is also Probemoter, the official publication of PROBE, Public Relatio
Officers and Bulletin Editors. Show programs yielded some example
barbershop jargon not found elsewhere in print. Probably the best so
were the transcribed critiques of the barbershop quartets I have sung wit
competition. These critiques, privately recorded on seven occasions, co
the language used by certified judges in the Society and provide prob
the truest record of current barbershop jargon. The glossary, whic
representative but certainly not complete, includes some standard m
terms and a few words from the general vocabulary which are so charact
istic of the barbershop scene that their omission would be conspicuous.
GLOSSARY
AC Area counselor, a district officer of SPEBSQSA who travels to and advises

chapters in his area, furnishing liaison between the chapter and the district
a cappella Vocal music without instrumental accompaniment; the style of all pure
barbershop music
ACTS [aekts] Area counselor training session
AFA Audition for admission; a program of auditioning prospective members for
admission into the Society
afterglow Party after a barbershop show, at which the local chapter members have
a chance to hear and sing with guest quartets; often a second show with the public
invited (cf CAST PARTY, PREGLOW)
aftershow Entertainment that follows the scheduled program, such as the chordi-
torium at International or the entertainment prepared by the PVP to follow the
chorus rehearsal at a chapter meeting
AIC Association of International Champions, whose membership consists of those
who have sung in International championship quartets
AICC Association of International Chorus Champions, whose membership consists
of those who have sung in International championship choruses
all the marbles Total success (A quartet that wins walks away with all the
marbles.)
Archie Method of phoneticizing vowels for singing so that all members of a quartet
(or chorus) are pronouncing each vowel in the same way. Archie cards (3i by 2
inches) show a cartoon face looking to the left; key words for the vowels begin at the
front top of the mouth and progress clockwise around the head: keyed [kid], kid
[kid], ked [ked], cade [ked], cad [kaed], cod [kad], kawed [kod], code [kod], cooed [kud],
THE JARGON OF BARBERSHOP 295
could [kud], and cud [kAd]. The Archie for the vowel of night is cod-keyed [kad kid].
This method serves to familiarize barbershoppers with phonetics without using the
IPA itself. It also gives a mental concept of the placement of the tcne in reference to
the arch of the mouth. In the style of pronunciation favored by barbershoppers,
final voiced stops like those in the key words have a release that gives the impression
of an indistinct vowel.
area Geographical unit larger than the chapter, but smaller than the division
arrangement Harmonic adaptation of a song; also a judging category that con-
siders whether the song is representative of current barbershop style
associate status Probationary period for a chapter whose membership has fallen
below twenty, during which the chapter has six months to increase its membership
or lose its charter
attacks and releases Beginning and ending a word, phrase, or song, the ideal
being precise unity
AVP Administrative vice president, with responsibility for administering the
chapter if the president is unable (cf PVP)
ballad Slow song (cf TJ)
B & B Balance and blend, a judging category that determines the relative balance
of the voices as they combine to produce a composite or unit sound behind the lead
voice; the matching of the four voice parts into one sound of good quality
barbershop "Close-harmony singing, esp. of songs pop. c1875-c1910. From the
traditional style of barber-shop (employees') quartets" (Wentworth and Flexner 1960,
sv)
barbershopese Jargon of barbershopping (Sharp 1946)
barbershop harmony Four-part vocal harmony produced by a tenor, a lead, a
baritone, and a bass, singing unaccompanied in the true or diatonic scale, as
distinguished from the tempered or off-pitch scale used by key-board instruments
such as the piano; "harmony produced by four voices, unaccompanied, with a high
harmony part consistently sung above the melody" (Introducing SPEBSQSA, p 6)
barbershop seventh Chord that is the cornerstone of barbershop style; a four-part
chord consisting of a root, third, fifth, and seventh, as C, E, G, and B-flat
barberteens Program at the International level to encourage teenage children of
barbershoppers to participate while their parents are attending competition
baritone; bari Part that sings below or above the lead line in an arrangement,
calling for an accurate ear, as the baritone must constantly tune the chord to make
it ring; the barbershop seventh, the hallmark of barbershop singing, calls for four
different notes-the most difficult to tune is the bari; the bari note is usually below
the tenor and above the bass
bass Low part in the quartet, who usually has the root of the chord
bass-ically A closing used by barbershoppers in letters to other barbershoppers
BE Bulletin editor
bend a tone Adjust the pitch up or down in order to promote the maximum r
from a chord
BETY [bstI] Bulletin Editor of the Year, a district-wide and Society-wide com-
petitive award
biggie Important event, such as the International (competition)
bird's eye Fermata, hold
BOD Board of Directors
296 AMERICAN SPEECH
BOTM Barbershopper of the Month

BOTY usu [boutai] Barbershopper of the Year, an award given by many chapt
and districts
briefing Precontest directions given to the quartets or choruses (or their repre-
sentatives) by the chairman of the judges, including any special conditions of the
contest or special provisions made for a group with a unique logistical problem,
especially in stage presence
bulletin Publication sponsored by a local chapter or a district
C & J Contest and Judging, a program that trains Society judges and conducts
singing contests
cast party Afterglow at which attendance is restricted to performers and their
guests
century club Informal organization of chapters with more than one hundred active
members, listed in each edition of The Harmonizer
chapter Basic organizational unit of the Society, which holds weekly meetings
(cf DIVISION, DISTRICT, INTERNATIONAL)
charter 1: n Official document from International which authorizes a chapter
(The Charter Night Show is the one on which the charter is officially presented; the
chapter dates from the presentation of its charter.) 2: vi Qualify for a charter;
a chapter qualifies by having thirty-five men sign the charter stating that they agree
to the Society bylaws
chord-ially A closing used by barbershoppers in letters to other barbershoppers
chorditorium Aftershow held Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday
nights after competition at International; also place where such a show is held
clinic Critique
coach Fifth man in a quartet, who evaluates the quartet's performance for its
improvement
coaching clinic Training session for quartet coaches
cone Concept of the barbershop chord in which the lead sings at a level of 30
percent of the total volume, the bass at 30 percent, the tenor at 25 percent, and the
baritone at 15 percent, thus metaphorically stacked in layers to form a cone shape
with the lead (melody) complemented by the bass (root) and other harmony parts
coning Act of adjusting the relative volume and intensity needed to fill in a chord
(for example, a baritone who sings a higher note in the chord than the lead must
back off in volume, and the lead singing the lower note must sing with more intensity)
contact man Member of the quartet who accepts engagements for the quartet and
handles all correspondence
contest format Rules under which quartet and chorus competitions are conducted
(for example, "The chorus or quartet will sing two songs, which shall consist of
between four and six minutes of actual singing time, exclusive of walk-on, bows,
and walk-off")
contrived dynamics Presentation of a song that emphasizes the arrangement and
the chords rather than the interpretation and message (derogatory, cf VOCAL
GYMNASTICS)
COTS [kats] Chapter Officers' Training School; an annual weekend session spon-
sored by the district and International to orient new officers in their responsibilities
craft session Class or seminar conducted by an experienced barbershopper for
other members who wish to learn about the music they sing
critique Postcontest evaluation in which judges help quartets and choruses improve
their performance
crow Nonsinging member or a singing member (especially in a chorus) who would
lower the score if allowed to compete
decrepet Wife of a past International Board member
decrepit Past International Board member
district 1: Geographic and administrative section of the Society (There are
fifteen districts; for example, the Far Western District [FWD] which comprises
Arizona, Nevada, Utah, California, Hawaii, and Guam.) 2: Fall competition at
the district level, which ranks the competing choruses and decides the following
summer's chorus competitor at International (Quartets also hold district com-
petitions, but their district ranking has no relationship to International functions.)
district delegate Representative from a local chapter to the HOD at the fall
district meeting
division Level below district and above chapter (The Arizona-Nevada Division,
for example, includes the Yuma, Tucson, Phoenix, Scottsdale, Prescott, Pinal
County, and Las Vegas Chapters. Competition at the divisional level qualifies
quartets and choruses to compete at the district competition in the fall.)
DO District officer
DOTS [dats] District Officers' Training Session
DP District president
drop Lower the bass part one octave at the close of a song (no longer current
see "Chordiality in Washington")
DVP District vice president
dynamics Total volume range of a performance
ear singer; ear man One who woodsheds a song, rather than sings it from writte
music
Ethics Code of Ethics as published and promoted by International
Executive Director Administrative head of the Society
expiration date Annual date when a person's membership expires
fake Harmonize by ear, woodshed
falsetto Voice placement which enables a man to sing much higher than his natur
voice (Most barbershop tenors sing falsetto.)
fidelity rating Rating given by HA judges early in the judging of a song, indicating
what percentage of the chords a quartet is singing in tune
fifth man 1: Coach of a quartet 2: Unwanted singer who tries to join a quarte
when it is singing
fifth-wheeling Singing along with a quartet part when the quartet is singing o
practicing; a practice used to teach a new man the part, but discouraged if th
quartet is rehearsing in earnest -sixth-wheeling -seventh-wheeling
fill-in Baritone part (probably from the baritone's having to fill in or out the
chord; Antrim 1954 says it is from the 1880s and 1890s)
finalist Quartet that finishes between sixth and tenth in International competi-
tion
Frank H. Thorne Chapter-at-Large International chapter for men who are too
busy to play an active part in the Society or who are prevented by lack of a nearby
chapter from doing so (named after the late Frank H. Thorne of Chicago, Past
International President)
298 AMERICAN SPEECH
GB Gut-buster, an up-tune that is ideally suited for full voice singing, as oppose
a TJ or a ballad
glimmer Party held after an afterglow, lasting most of the night, for dyed-in-
wool enthusiasts
golden age of barbershop harmony Years (1910-1940) whose representative

songs seem best to typify the barbershop tradition
good ear Ability to tune a chord quickly
goodies 1: Ringing chords or chords that lend themselves to the quartet ring 2:
High-scoring quartets
good vehicle Barbershop arrangement that will score well in contest; one typical
of barbershop music, representing the genre well
goose bumps Subjective reaction of a true barbershopper to a well-delivered song
growler Bass singer who sings with a strident tone; uninhibited bass (originally
a complimentary term referring to resonance, but now referring to production)
HA Harmony accuracy, a judging category that considers the voice-matching over-
tones, which cause the ring
Harmonizer, The The bimonthly magazine distributed to all Society members,
begun in 1943 as a quarterly but now published bimonthly
Harmony Hall International office of SPEBSQSA
headliner Featured quartet in a show
head tone 1: Lightness of tone, singing out of the throat 2: Falsetto
HEP [hep] Harmony Education Program
HEP school Week-long or weekend school or seminar for barbershoppers, to
educate them in craft, singing, sound, staging, arranging, and so forth
HOD House of Delegates, at district level, to which each chapter sends a delegate
for the fall and spring meetings, held in conjunction with the district competition
home-chapter syndrome Lack of respect for or confidence in a certified judge by
members of his chapter
hospitality 1: Preglow room where barbershoppers and their wives meet 2:
Chapter room at the district or International competition level open to all per-
forming quartets, the location for a mini afterglow
IBC 1: International Board Chairman 2: International Bulletin Contest
IBM International Board Member
imbalance Condition in which a member of a quartet is singing out of the physica
cone of volume (cf CONE)
inflection Deliberate and unified scooping or stress by a quartet, an accepted
technique
INT Interpretation, a judging category that determines whether the story of a song
is being told correctly and judges the artistic presentation of a song
International I: International headquarters in Kenosha, Wisconsin 2: Inter-
national competition, held the last week in June or the first week in July
International prelims International preliminary competition held in spring at
the district level, ranking the competing quartets in order to decide which will sing
at International, usually coincident with the district's spring meeting
International quartet champion Winning quartet at International level
competition
International quartet finalists Five quartets with a ranking from sixth to tenth
place at International level competition
International quartet medalists Four quartets with a ranking from second to

fifth place at International level competition
International quartet quarter-finalists Twenty-five quartets with a ranking
from twenty-first to forty-fifth place at International level competition
International quartet semifinalists Ten quartets with a ranking from eleventh
to twentieth place at International level competition
Joe Barbershopper; John Q. Barbershopper Average member of the
SPEBSQSA
judge Person accredited in one of the five categories of competition who ranks
quartets and choruses in competition and gives them constructive criticism during
the critique
judge, candidlate Person who has indicated his intention to become a judge, but
is not accredited; apprentice judge
key Key signature, resident key of a song, place in the scale where the song is sung
in relation to pitch
keynote speaker Main speaker at a district or International function
late tuning; adjusting Process by which a member of the quartet tunes the chord
after it has been initiated, with the result that the chord does not lock imme-
diately
lead [lid] 1: One who sings the melody, traditionally the second tenor 2: Melody
of the song
lead line Melodic line; as the lead line varies from low to high, the baritone line
(or part) must also vary to fill in the chord
licensed chapter Group of at least twenty men who are preparing to become a
fully chartered chapter and have six months in which to charter
lock (in) Tune to produce maximum clarity and purity of sound and chord ring;
cause (a chord) to ring
Logopedics The Society's International service project, the Institute of Logo-
pedics in Wichita, Kansas, adopted in 1964; Logopedics (from logos + pediatrics)
teaches children with speech defects to talk-the Institute has been successful using
music (interactive musicatrics)
LTD Legal TAG dissemination, an affirmation that the publishing of the tags is done
legally, giving due credit and regarding copyright, as opposed to the duplication of
tags (or other music) without regard to copyright
Man of Note Barbershopper who sponsors an incoming member in the Society and
consequently receives a Man of Note award
MC; emcee Master of ceremonies for a show or a parade
message Story of a song
Mid-Winter Annual International mid-winter meeting of the International
Board of Directors and convention at which normally the top five quartets from
the previous International competition and the host chorus sing
mike testers Noncompeting quartet that performs before the competition to let
the engineers set the sound level
milk the chord dry Sustain a chord as long as possible
minor Minor key or chord, which has the third flatted-a C-minor chord would
consist of a C, E-flat, G, and another C
novice champs Quartet that wins the award given at the district or International
prelim level to a new quartet in competition with other new quartets
300 AMERICAN SPEECH
Old Songs Library Library maintained at Harmony Hall that makes availabl
for a nominal charge original sheet music that has been donated to Internation
old standard; oldy; standard Any of various songs traditionally associated w
barbershopping, such as "Shine On Harvest Moon," "When You Wore a Tu
"Put On Your Old Grey Bonnet," "My Buddy," and "Paddlin' Maddlin' Hom
on pitch True to the relative pitch of the song's key signature
overtone Tone of a higher pitch than the fundamental, present in a regular s
in every musical sound, whose presence or absence determines the quality a
purity of the musical tone (If a quartet is locked in, the overtone may be as str
as a fifth tone, giving rise'to goose bumps.)
overtone tnimng Tuning to the implied overtone to lock it in
parade Barbershop show (formerly Parade of [Barbershop] Quartets. Origin
probably through the 1940s, chapters invited all quartets to sing in their an
parade. As a result, shows sometimes lasted past midnight. This was before quar
began charging for their appearances, when most paid their own expenses. Now
show is a parade only insofar as the local chapter has active local quartets;
expense of bringing in more than a few out-of-town quartets is prohibitive.)
PDQ program Promotion and Development of Quartets program
pick-up quartet Four men who form an impromptu group; woodshedding qu
polishing Rehearsal, or portion of a rehearsal, devoted to putting the finis
touch on a performance
preglow Party held before a show, at which drinking and singing are both usu
curtailed (cf AFTERGLOW)
PRO Public Relations Officer
PROBE [proub] (Association of) Public Relations Officers and Bulletin Editors
Probemoter Publication of PROBE, available to all PROBE members
PROBEr One who publicizes the Society; member of PROBE
Protention [programming and retention] Attracting new members through
programming, and retaining old ones
PRVP Public-Relations Vice President (Because the job of PVP is such a big one,
sometimes a PRVP is appointed to handle the PR aspects of the PVP's job.)
PVP Program Vice President, whose duties include arranging chapter meetings to
keep member interest high, supervising community relations, and scheduling
sing-outs
quartet 1: n Registered group, or any four men who stand together wood-
shedding, usually tenor, lead (second tenor in glee-club terminology), baritone,
and bass 2: vb Engage in organized quartet activity
quartet man One more interested in his quartet than in his chapter (A member
may be an officer in the chapter and quite active, but still be a quartet man. The
term is often used derogatorily of men who sing only in a quartet and do not
support the chapter or chorus.)
quartet quota Number of quartets from each of the fifteen districts that are eligible
to sing in an International contest, allotted on the basis of district membership
(A total of forty-five quartets compete at International. Each district has a quartet
quota based on its membership at the end of the fiscal year. The Far Western
District is second in total membership and as a result has a quota of four quartets.)
quartet school Training session held for quartets to enable them to improve sound,
interpretation, stage presence, and arrangement
quartette Sweet Adelines quartet (Before the 1940s, this spelling was used
interchangeably with quartet.)
read music Look at a line of musical notation and interpret the composer-
arranger's intentions, often without hearing the music
registered quartet; organized quartet Quartet whose name and personnel have
been registered at the International office (Only registered quartets may sing in
competition, and only Society members may sing in registered quartets. Regis-
tration also gives the quartet exclusive use of its name.)
repertoire Songs that a quartet or chorus has prepared
ring Quality of sound produced by matched voice overtones in a quartet or
chorus
ring (a few) Sing (tags or chords)

ringer Song with a high proportion of ringing chords
root of the chord Basic note from which all chords are built; the root of the chord
is the fundamental note, normally sung by the bass, and all other notes must be in
tune with it
scooping Sliding into a tone, hitting a note on the flat side and sliding up to the
proper pitch, an undesirable practice on the part of one voice in a quartet
sectional Chorus rehearsal of only one part, as a sectional for the leads
sing-cerely A closing used by barbershoppers in letters to other barbershoppers
sing-out Public appearance by a quartet or chorus, other than a contest, for
which achievement points are earned from International
slide Glissando
Society SPEBSQSA
Society field representative One employed by the Society to conduct craft
sessions, COTS, and other training schools for the benefit ofJoe Barbershopper
sound Total effect produced by a quartet's singing, including HA, B & B, and
diction
SP Stage presence, a judging category that assesses the bearing and mien of a
quartet during its performance
SPEBSQSA Society for the Preservation and Encouragement of Barber Shop
Quartet Singing in America, Incorporated, founded 11 April 1938 by Owen C.
Cash and Rupert I. Hall in Tulsa, Oklahoma (Originally the acronym was
SPPBSQSUS, the Society for the Preservation and Propagation of Barber Shop
Quartet Singing in the United States. The acronym SPEBSQSA is, according to
International, unpronounceable: "It was not intended that the initials of our
Society... ever be pronounced as a word, so please don't try to do it" [rou Are
Now a Barbershopper, p 6]. Many nevertheless pronounce it as [spebskwA].)
spread chord Chord that encompasses more than an octave interval between the
bass and tenor
stomp Rock tempo
swan song Final performance of a quartet; last performance of a reigning
championship group before they relinquish the title to the new champion
Sweet Adelines Organization for women comparable to the SPEBSQSA
swipe Progression of two or more chords sung on a single word or syllable (This
is a hallmark of the barbershop style. An example is four different chords on the
word day.)
tag Added ending of a song, often repeating the final words and designed to make
302 AMERICAN SPEECH
a complete and satisfying arrangement (Barbershoppers have been known

spend an entire evening singing nothing but tags.)
tag singer Barbershopper who would rather sing tags than whole songs
tenor Part, comparable to first tenor in glee-club singing, who sings above
melody (usually in thirds) except in tags, in which he often takes over the mel
while the lead sings a harmony part
TJ Tear jerker, sentimental song, ballad, the opposite of a GB
top Tenor (Sharp 1946)
tune Blend (into), to make a more accurate and pleasing sound
tune-up chord Chord sung by a quartet to initiate most songs, usually a major
chord, as C, G, C, E, sung on a neutral vowel, allowing the quartet to establish the
key signature of the song in their minds
up-tune Fast-moving, lively song
vibrato Slight wavering of a tone above or below the true tone or pitch that
gives warmth to the voice, usually best in the lead or solo voice, but that must be
carefully controlled since "even" tones are more likely to produce maximum chord
ring
vocal gymnastics Performance of a quartet or an arrangement that is avant garde
barbershop as opposed to competition barbershop (derogatory)
woodshed Work out the harmony parts (to a known melody) by ear; sing as a
group for the first time, even though members know their individual parts;
improvise (an interpretation) -woodshedder Barbershopper who prefers
improvisation to organized quartet singing; tag singer -woodshedding
"Woodshedding is not a 'spectator sport'-only participants can fully enjoy it"
(Harmonizer Jan-Feb 1974, p 18)
Young Men in Harmony Program begun by Society musical director Robert
Johnson and the Music Educators National Conference in 1971 to bring barbershop
music and harmony into secondary schools (Johnson 1967, 1972)
REFERENCES AND SOURCES
Abernethy, Charles E. Stage Presence Category. Kenosha, Wise.: International Office,

SPEBSQSA, 1968.
Antrim, Doron K. "The Barber Shop Brotherhood." l?tude, November 1954, pp. 11,
58-59.
"Army Will Be Taught Gentle Art of Barbershop Quartet." Voice, 6 May 1950, p. 4.
Barbershop Glossary. Kenosha, Wisc.: International Office, SPEBSQSA, 1972.
"Barbershop Style Now Big Biz with Extra Coin for Vocal Groups." Variety, 16
February 1955, p. 41.
"Barbershopping Made Easy." Time, 25 December 1944, p. 66.
Central States Serenade.
"Chordiality in Washington." Time, 21 June 1954, p. 46.
Coaching a Quartet. Kenosha, Wisc.: International Office, SPEBSQSA, n.d.
Cook, Will, and Wilcox, Charlie. Melodies for Millions. Kenosha, Wisc.: International
Headquarters, SPEBSQSA, 1965.
Critique. Central States District Competition, 18 October 1969, Omaha, Nebraska.
Critique. Arizona-Nevada Regionals, 20 May 1972, Tucson, Arizona.
Critique. Far Western District International Prelims, 17 March 1973, Tucson,

Arizona.
Critique. Arizona-Nevada Regionals, 19 May 1973, Yuma, Arizona.

Critique. Contest and Judging Seminar, 11-13 August 1973, Riverside, California.
Critique. Far Western District Competition, 20 October 1973, Fresno, California.
Critique. Far Western District International Prelims, 16 March 1974, San Diego,
California.
Dalmas, Herbert. "The Act Nobody Can Buy." Recreation 46 (1952): 140-42.
"Dames Enter Barbershop Singfests." Billboard, 17 February 1951, p. 14.
Frank, Stanley. "You Take the High Note." Saturday Evening Post, 19 August 1944,
pp. 14-15.
The Harmonizer.
Haskell, William V. "Bread upon the Waters." Recreation 46A (1953): 71.
High Notes From High Plains.
Introducing SPEBSQSA. Kenosha, Wisc.: International Office, SPEBSQSA, 1973.
Johnson, Robert D. "SPEBSQSA/HEP." Music Educator's Journal, May 1967,
pp. 93-94.
. "Yes Sir, That's My Barbershop." Music Educator's Journal, December 1972,
pp. 32, 71-74, 77.
. "Yes Sir, That's My Barbershop." Educational Digest, March 1973, pp. 36-37.
Kahn, D. "Barbershop Quartet Comes Back." Christian Science Monitor Magazine,
3 November 1945, p. 6.
McClelland, James L. Harmony Heritage. Kenosha, Wisc.: International Office,
SPEBSQSA, n.d.
McGregor, Robert N. "Sweet Ado-lin-n-ne." Educational Music Magazine, November-
December 1949, pp. 23, 38.
McInerney, T.J. "Sing It Straight." New rork Times Magazine, 6January 1946, p. 41.
MacMahon, D. "Barber Shop Music." Music Teacher, November 1956, p. 521.
Martin, Deac. "The Evolution of Barbershop Harmony." Mlusic Journal Annual, 1965,
pp. 41, 106-7.
- . Keep America Singing. Kenosha, Wisc.: International Office, SPEBSQSA, 1970.
Maurer, David W., and Vogel, Victor H. Narcotics and Narcotic Addiction, 3d ed.
Springfield, Ill.: Thomas, 1967.
Moss, Earl W. Just What Is Barbershop Harmony? Fort Wayne, Ind.: Baseball Blue
Books, n.d. [14th printing].
1974 Administrative Vice President's Manual. Kenosha, Wisc.: International Office,
SPEBSQSA, n.d.
O'Hara, Geoffrey. "Barber's Shop Music." Variety, 4 January 1967, pp. 172, 190.
. "The Delights of Barber Shop Harmony." Music Journal, October 1956, pp. 14,
38-40.
The Phoenician.
Probemoter.
Quartet Information Booklet. Kenosha, Wisc.: International Office, SPEBSQSA, 1972.

Schubert, Henry D. "The Barbershop Quartet in Community Recreation."
Recreation 47 (1954): 529-30.
Sharp, Ralph. "Yes, Brother: Sound Your 'A."' Rotarian, September 1946, pp. 12-13.
"Society for the Preservation and Encouragement of Barber Shop Quartet Singing
in America, Incorporated." National Music Council Bulletin, 1 November 1967, p. 27.
304 AMERICAN SPEECH
Spaeth, Sigmund. "In and Out of Tune." Music Journal, November-December 19

p. 64.
Stephens, Walter Jay. "The Call of Close Harmony." Recreation 44 (1951): 549.
Warpick, Matthew. "Keep America Singing the Old Songs." Music Journal, February
1966, pp. 83, 86.
Wentworth, Harold, and Flexner, Stuart Berg. Dictionary of American Slang. New York:
Crowell, 1960.
Westunes.
You Are Now a Barbershopper. Kenosha, Wisc.: International Office, SPEBSQSA, 1967.
[Received May 1974]
RUMAKI
In the Chinese section of Joan W. Teller's article "The Treatment o

Foreign Terms in Chicago Restaurant Menus" (American Speech 44 [19
102), she mentions the term rumaki, which she could find in no dictionary
which she believed not to be a Chinese word. I agree with her and th
there is a good chance that it may be a clipped form of the Japanese harum
(Chinese ch'un chiian), which is written with the ideograms for 'spring' (th
season) and 'roll.' Harumaki is defined by a Japanese cooking encyclope
(Jitsuyoo Hyakkajiten, vol. 1, p. 484) as follows (my translation): "A v
crisp, deep-fried Chinese appetizer or dessert, consisting of ingredie
rolled in a thin crust or shell. Known in Japan as harumaki, it is calle
spring roll in Europe and the United States and is a popular snack." T
main ingredients are pork, bamboo shoots, mushrooms, and bean spro
Perhaps this is the rumaki Teller found on Chinese menus.
RICHARD MARKLEY
Kagoshima-shi, Japan
EDITOR'S NOTE: Ann Kingston points out a recipe for rumaki in the Atlanta
Constitution (18 March 1976, p. F-8/6) in an article written by Camille J.
Stagg, of the Chicago Sun-Times, about Hank Kashiwa, a professional skier
and amateur cook. The recipe, one of a number for Japanese dishes, calls for
chicken livers marinated in teriyaki sauce, wrapped in bacon, and broiled.
(J.A.)

The Jargon of Barbershop

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

You might also like

The Jargon of Barbershop

Uploaded by

Document Information

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

The Jargon of Barbershop

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

The Jargon of Barbershop

Author(s): Donald J. Richardson and Richard Markley

USIC SUNG in the barbershop, often proverbially bad, has been a

For the glossary, I have relied primarily on Society publications a

AC Area counselor, a district officer of SPEBSQSA who travels to and advises

BOTM Barbershopper of the Month

golden age of barbershop harmony Years (1910-1940) whose representative

International quartet medalists Four quartets with a ranking from second to

ring (a few) Sing (tags or chords)

a complete and satisfying arrangement (Barbershoppers have been known

REFERENCES AND SOURCES

Abernethy, Charles E. Stage Presence Category. Kenosha, Wise.: International Office,

Critique. Far Western District International Prelims, 17 March 1973, Tucson,

Critique. Arizona-Nevada Regionals, 19 May 1973, Yuma, Arizona.

Quartet Information Booklet. Kenosha, Wisc.: International Office, SPEBSQSA, 1972.

Spaeth, Sigmund. "In and Out of Tune." Music Journal, November-December 19

[Received May 1974]

In the Chinese section of Joan W. Teller's article "The Treatment o

You might also like