Post #298049 by PremEx on Mon, Apr 9, 2007 11:45 PM

*On 2007-04-09 12:42, bigbrotiki wrote:*A Zeitgeist is always a result of multiple influences, and so the question of WHY Tiki became Polynesian Pop's figurehead in the 50s/60s is complex. Any other suggestions are welcome.

From a simple mind...a possible simple addition to the pot:

Tiki is fun to say.

There's just something about it. And it can be gagged up all sorts of way. I can just picture my dad at say the Kon-Tiki in the 1960's getting up from his table and announcing, "I gotta go take a tiki-leaky." Nyuck, nyuck.

Even Disney's highly sing-alongable "In the tiki, tiki, tiki, tiki, tiki room...in the tiki, tiki, tiki, tiki, tiki room"...suggests that Walt (or the Sherman Brothers) knew we just couldn't seem to get enough of saying, "Tiki!"

Heck...we called those Molotov cocktails on sticks "Tiki Torches" even though they were no more than cocktail shakers with a wick stuck in them. Oh sure...they might have at some point been designed to illuminate tikis. But really...they got the name because it's just fun to say, "Let's light the Tiki Torches!"

I think people just loved saying "Tiki." Still do. That's why you got Tiki Bars with no tikis in sight. "Hey! It's a TIKI bar! I'll have a margarita, please."

Just a thought. Don't make fun of me, or I'll tweaky your tiki.

:wink: