Will HOGO miss out to FOMO?
N this modern age of internet acronyms, I was not surprised that a new one has arrived that will undoubtedly soon be pushing for inclusion in the Oxford English Dictionary.
HOGO is short for the Hassle Of Going Out, an affliction that appears to be affecting younger and usually more robust generations. According to UK Hospitality, it has resulted in empty tables in pubs and restaurants as 20% of those who have booked, decided not to bother and became noshows. The same has happened at sporting, music and other events, where 15% have failed to turn up, even though they bought tickets.
It is thought that two years of lockdown and social distancing, which had people buying stay-athome leisure clothes, has altered attitudes to having a good time.
Factor in cold and miserable weather and dark nights and many have ditched going out in preference for a cosy night by the fire with a box set from Netflix.
Where has that do-or-die pubbing and clubbing spirit gone, that had girls tripping the light fantastic down high streets everywhere in nothing but high heels, strappy dresses and frozen smiles in the depths of winter? And will young men still wait for the 8.45 bus into town in their shirt sleeves while pretending the cold doesn’t bother them as they head out on a quest for romance?
They all looked too cool to chill in years gone by and, on the occasions I drove past in the car with the heater on, I could only admire their fortitude whilst questioning their sanity.
If HOGO catches on and spreads its cloak of indifference over the festive season, one wonders what will happen to Christmas parties and those family get-togethers on Boxing Day, when Uncle Bert displays his flair for flatulence that he blames on the Brussels sprouts. What? You mean there’s no aged relative in your family who thinks his advanced years precludes him from social decorum?
HOGO is bound to end up in the Oxford English Dictionary. Eight years ago that August publication added such internet expressions as selfie, twerk and that dangerous acronym virus FOMO, which stood for Fear Of Missing Out.
This could cause angst and depression among young people who saw photographs of friends on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook, apparently living the Saturday night dream of fun and frivolity, while they had nothing to post online but a snap of their tea on a tray, with their slippered feet hanging out beneath.
How times change. Now slippers, a take-away and an eight-part binge watch, appear to be all the rage.
THE mystery of a missing trophy has been solved. Dawn Horton of Berry Brow Carnival Committee appealed for help in finding the Heeley Cup which had been presented to the winning team in the Hillside Chase, a race from the Carnival Field up to Castle Hill and back in the 1960s. The Carnival was re-launched in 2007 and has been an annual event ever since.
“Can anyone help us?” Dawn said. “where is the Heeley Cup? we would love to hear any memories.”
At least those who realised the falsity and fantasy of FOMO invented their own word: JOMO, the Joy Of Missing out. That, too, was accepted by the OED last year, as was WFH (Working From Home).
In this modern age, folk converse on their phones in acronyms and shortforms, which is why I avoid texts and twitters because they confuse me. For years I thought LOL was lots of love, which probably had people ROTFL (rolling on the floor laughing). TBH (to be honest), I prefer to chat F2F (face to face), so B4N (bye for now) and, in the words of Ringo Starr, PNL, man (peace and love) whatever language you use.
David owen of Longwood Harriers has supplied the answer.
“The trophy is held by Longwood Harriers Athletic Club and has been awarded annually for a Ladies Cross Country handicap since 1972. Before the Longwood Harriers races, The trophy was first engraved in 1967 when it was won by Dalton Boys A, which i presume was for the Berry Brow Hillside Chase race.”
All details and contacts have been passed on to Dawn.