Who knew that a nickname for a drive-in theater is a "passion pit"?
I recently happened upon that factoid as I was trying to find out the name of a group which provided the musical backdrop for a catchy Taco Bell commercial. Yes, I know, that's a bit of an unlikely turn of events. But that's the way a search for information can often twist and turn, particularly when the connections are just a "click" away.
You may have heard the music on currently airing commercials.
Here's a link to the music video "Take a Walk" by Passion Pit. The group is touring small venues in the U.S. this fall and is due to play on Saturday Night Live Oct. 13.
If Wikipedia has it right, the group took its name from Variety magazine's "Slanguage Dictionary". Back when drive-in movies were common, they were a favorite destination for families as well as teenagers with access to cars, including when on dates. The latter is where the passion pit reference comes in.
As for the source of the information, Variety's punchy headlines have been drawing attention for as long as I can remember, often drawing upon alliteration or a touch of irony or humor. For example, the headline for the 1929 stock market crash was "Wall Street Lays an Egg".
In its coverage of the entertainment business, Variety has coined a variety of phrases that have become well-known beyond the trade. If a movie is a hit it does "Boffo box office". A favorite is a "fave", a "sudser" is a soap opera and the Disney company is the "Mouse House".
As to the effectiveness of the ads, I have yet to go to Taco Bell after its recent menu makeover. But I have learned a bit more about the music group Passion Pit and Variety's Slanguage dictionary.
I recently happened upon that factoid as I was trying to find out the name of a group which provided the musical backdrop for a catchy Taco Bell commercial. Yes, I know, that's a bit of an unlikely turn of events. But that's the way a search for information can often twist and turn, particularly when the connections are just a "click" away.
You may have heard the music on currently airing commercials.
Here's a link to the music video "Take a Walk" by Passion Pit. The group is touring small venues in the U.S. this fall and is due to play on Saturday Night Live Oct. 13.
If Wikipedia has it right, the group took its name from Variety magazine's "Slanguage Dictionary". Back when drive-in movies were common, they were a favorite destination for families as well as teenagers with access to cars, including when on dates. The latter is where the passion pit reference comes in.
As for the source of the information, Variety's punchy headlines have been drawing attention for as long as I can remember, often drawing upon alliteration or a touch of irony or humor. For example, the headline for the 1929 stock market crash was "Wall Street Lays an Egg".
In its coverage of the entertainment business, Variety has coined a variety of phrases that have become well-known beyond the trade. If a movie is a hit it does "Boffo box office". A favorite is a "fave", a "sudser" is a soap opera and the Disney company is the "Mouse House".
As to the effectiveness of the ads, I have yet to go to Taco Bell after its recent menu makeover. But I have learned a bit more about the music group Passion Pit and Variety's Slanguage dictionary.
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