Pompatus

The word "pompatus" (also spelled "pompitous", IPAEng|ˈpɒmpɨtəs) is a neologism used in the lyrics of Steve Miller's 1973 rock song "The Joker"::Some people call me the space cowboy.:Yeah! Some call me the gangster of love.:Some people call me Maurice,:'Cause I speak of the pompatus of love.

The phrases "space cowboy" and "gangster of love" are both references to previous Miller songs. The "pompatus" line is also a reference to an earlier song of his, "Enter Maurice," which was recorded the previous year:: My dearest darling, come closer to Maurice: so I can whisper sweet words of epismetology: in your ear and speak to you of the pompatus of love.

Although Miller claims he invented the words "epismetology" (metathesis of epistemology) and "pompatus," all of his song-writing shows strong rhythm and blues influences, and a 1954 song called "The Letter" by the Medallions had the lines:: Oh my darling, let me whisper: sweet words of "pizmotality": and discuss the "puppetutes" of love.

The song was composed by Vernon Green as a description of his dream woman. "Pizmotality" described words of such secrecy that they could only be spoken to the one you loved," Green explained. He coined the term "puppetutes" "to mean a secret paper-doll fantasy figure who would be my everything and bear my children."

"Pompatus" in pop culture

Because of its peculiarity and seemingly nonsensical usage, the word "pompatus" has become a minor pop trivia icon. DJ Wolfman Jack frequently referenced the phrase and has a soundclip of him using the line within the song "Clap for the Wolfman" by The Guess Who. A 1996 movie titled "The Pompatus of Love" starring Jon Cryer featured four guys discussing a number of assorted topics, including attempts to determine the meaning of the phrase. Humor columnist Dave Barry frequently refers to the song line as a source of comedic value, particularly in his 1997 book, "Dave Barry's Book of Bad Songs". The line has also been mentioned in various television show gags, including "The Simpsons" and "South Park". Pompatus is also used by Michael Ondaatje in his 2001 book, "Anil's Ghost".

External links

* [http://www.tokezone.net/zones/maurice.html The tokezone: "The Joker" lyrics and biography, about the pompitous of love]
* [http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a4_065.html The Straight Dope: In Steve Miller's "The Joker," what is "the pompatus of love"?]
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* [ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AvYX5T89Gpk]