If dictionaries were related then the Urban Dictionary would be Merriam Webster’s bawdy half brother. The black sheep of the dictionary family, the Urban Dictionary shuns academic definitions of established words in favor of user-generated interpretations of slang words and phrases, typically of the coarse or perverse nature.
At first the Urban Dictionary was sort of a joke, but it has grown somewhat respectable over the years. In 2008 Time magazine‘s Anita Hamilton placed Urban Dictionary on her 50 best websites of the year list.
Dictionaries, even of the coarse half-brother variety, are influential. They can even affect capitalism.
Outdoors brands were so stoked to see themselves listed in the Urban Dictionary’s definition of MountainSexual that they sent out press releases about it. Industry news sources such as SNEWS and Outdoor Retailer posted articles about it. And now, despite being ashamed that Wend was not included on the list of mountainsexual publications, we write about it as well.
Even though the definition of Mountainsexual is spot-on (and successfully hilarious), one has to wonder if something is lost by including all the brand names. It seems this gives the green light for marketers to put their hungry little fingers into any Urban Dictionary definition. Will the online definition of sexy biotch be somehow manipulated to include Gap or Comcast? Would big companies shell out a few bucks to make that happen? It’s conceivable. But let’s just hope the volunteer editors at Urban Dictionary don’t let the quest for bling turn their awesome website into another online turkey bark.
Or maybe I’m just sad to see that, despite our hearty encouragement of outdoors copulation, Wend isn’t considered MountainSexual.
MountainSexual:
Similar to metrosexual but one who lives in the mountains or otherwise pursues the outdoors adventure lifestyle. Kind of a cleaned-up granola, a Woodsy GQ kinda guy with a splash of bohemian. Knows that he doesn’t have to look or smell like a dirtbag to enjoy climbing, hiking, cycling, skiing (all forms), snowshoeing, etc.
Probably reads Men’s Journal, Outside, Outside’s Go, National Geographic Adventure, even Wallpaper* and Dwell.
Brands: Patagonia, Keen, Kuhl, The North Face, Mountain Hardwear, Marmot, Mountain Khakis. Strong environmental ethic. Drives a well-maintained truck, performance SUV, or cross-over when absolutely necessary but walks or rides a bicycle whenever possible.
Works out gym but primarily to be in shape for outdoor pursuits. Shuns chain stores and shops in outdoor specialty stores such as The Trailhead in Buena Vista, Colorado.
“For such an outdoorsy guy, that dude sure has great style.”
“Yeah, he’s a veritable MountainSexual!”
Follow me on Twitter @Kyle_Cassidy
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“Drives a well-maintained truck, performance SUV, or cross-over when absolutely necessary but walks or rides a bicycle whenever possible.”
I think a lot of people would love to fall into the category for this statement alone, but just how is all of the above attainable in a 24 hour day seven day week with jobs and such…………….
Signed,
Fat, happy and lovin’ the outdoors
I prefer my self-coined term “backcountry fabulous” but MountainSexual works too
“walks or rides a bicycle whenever possible”
My friends are doing it year-round: working parents, two kids, dog, suburbs, no car.
For me it’s attainable, by sharing the car with two other people and chaining gas-powered deeds into one trip. For over a year now I’ve averaged one car run per month — about as close to carless as I’m gonna get.
It doesn’t take long without a car to realize how our society has totally organized itself around driving. True, I can’t zoom from place to place with the “freedom” of an ostensibly fast but more often frustrating personal car, but on a bike my life has become healthier, more realistically-paced, and better connected with friends and neighbors.