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The question: They Call it Maccaroni
In the song Yankee Doodle, we ask is it the horse or the feather that’s called “macaroni”?
Chaos retorts, “Why would either horse or feather be called “macaroni,” why compare them a pasta?
Thanks to Wikipedia:
Yankee
“Yankee” was a derisive term to refer to Northerners, specifically the Union side of the American Civil War.
Yankee Doodle
The song originated from British military officers to mock colonial “Yankees” during the French and Indian War.
The song established a stereotype of a Yankee oaf trying to look stylish by putting a feather in his cap.
In response, Americans added verses in turn to mock British troops.
The song, Yankee Doodle was adopted by American patriots after the battles of Lexington and Concord.
What is A Macaroni
A macaroni (or maccaroni) was the term for an exceedingly fashionable, and outrageously stylish male during the mid 18th century England.
A macaroni adherent typically wore long curls, spying-glasses, powdered wigs with chapeau bras on top. These young men enjoyed presenting themselves as completely un-gender-biased and would adopt feminine behavior, demeanor, or dress; androgyny – having both masculine and feminine characteristics.
Italian maccaroni, a type of pasta became popular with these fashionable folk and were said to belong to the Macaroni Club.
We find entertaining and ironic that the Italian term maccherone, figuratively means “blockhead, fool.”
Doodle
The word Doodle is derived from the Low German word
Dudel – play music badly
Dödel – fool or simpleton
Dandies placed particular importance upon physical appearance, refined language, and leisure hobbies.
The full version of the song, as it is known today Yankee_Doodle
“Yankee Doodle” is the official state song of Connecticut.
This is only the first verse.
Yankee Doodle went to town
A-riding on a pony,
Stuck a feather in his cap
And called it macaroni.
[Chorus]
Yankee Doodle keep it up,
Yankee Doodle dandy,
Mind the music and the step,
And with the girls be handy.
Chaos Opines
On the surface, the song Yankee Doodle Dandy seems homophobic chest-beating intimidation practiced by each side accusing the other of being effeminate “girly men,” who possess feminine traits, but deep-down the lyrics reflect the ongoing struggle with class conflict.
A thing currently being played out through Transphobia and gender dysphoria which now threatens hundreds of years women’s rights progress.
Janis Joplin was right “Women is Losers”
