I’m not a jerk, I’m a fountaineer!
Despite the obvious prestige inherent in the job title, the fact of the matter is that not everyone who ran a soda foutain liked being called a “jerk”. The name came into vogue way back in the late 1800?s, a reference to the motion required to operate old-style pump-action water and syrup dispensers. But by the 1930?s the shine was definitely off the name for most of the young men who practiced the art. So much so that in 1938 a group of University of Michigan jerks, fed up with the ridicule they were routinely subjected to, attempted to form a new national society called the “Fountaineers of America”. How successul were they? You already know the answer. My guess is that the new name earned them more abuse than ever from their frat boy patrons. I mean how temping would it have been to pants, wedgy or noogie a guy who called himself a “fountaineer”? I mean good lord…
I guess the soda jerk connotations will always live on:
Dear kindly social worker, they say go earn a earn a buck
Like be a soda jerker, which means like be a schmuck
It’s not I’m anti-social, I’m only anti-work
Gloryosky, that’s why I’m a jerk!
Gee Officer Krupke, you’ve done it again
This boy don’t need a job, he needs a year in the pen …
Where is that from?
– J
“West Side Story” – the Jets are making fun of the local policeman, Officer Krupke (and the courts, and social workers, and…)
Nice, Sandra. I can see all those snapping gingers now…click…click…click…click.
– Joe
Ha ha 🙂
‘Fountaineer’ sounds like a bad superhero/villain name…
I like the villain idea…The Fountaineer…what might his evil superpowers be?
– Joe
Clearly one of his more odious powers would be to make your soda go flat… but I’d envision something very Batman-like with various ingredients in this utility belt, he combines them to being woe upon you! Woe! Muahahaha!
OPENING SUMMER 2014: The Fountaineer Versus the Jerk, shot in glorious full-fizz! Who should star?
A couple of blocks from me in Carroll Gardens, Brooklyn, a cafe-soda fountain opened in an antique pharmacy space. It calls itself FARMACY, features sundaes, egg creams, and sandwiches, and proudly sells JERK t-shirts.
I need one of those!
Wonder if they’ll sell me one online…
Thanks nbm!
– Joe