Retrx cool

• 15.09.2023 12:10 UTC+02:00
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In Pachucos: The Latinx subculture that defied the US, Rafael Estefania [sic] introduces us to the pachucos, a Latin American subculture within the USA that grew from alienation; rebellion; and a love of music and dance. Kinda. Harking back to the styles of the '30s–'50s, they seem almost effortlessly cool now. (cool)

It's an interesting read, and quite short. Much shorter than The Pachucos: Mexico’s last zoot-suit dandies, which appeared in the US edition of EL PAÍS back in July, and was written by…Rafael Estefanía.

The original made no mention of [cough] Latinx though. I suspect the BBC's editorial team may be playing inclusivity silly buggers, while at the same time ever so subtly misspelling Sr Estefanía's name. (thinking)

I guess priorities are priorities. (shrug)

The suspender's killing me

The two articles start off similarly enough.

The closet door swings wide, revealing dozens of brightly colored outfits. The shiny tips of two-tone dress shoes peak [sic] out from the shelves. On a mirrored dresser sit wide-brimmed hats with feathers, chain watches, suspenders and rhinestone cufflinks. For José de la Rosa, alias Pachuco Nereidas, this dressing room is his own private chapel…

Rafael Estefanía, The Pachucos: Mexico’s last zoot-suit dandies, EL PAÍS USA Edition (29.07.2023)

The door to the bedroom closet opened wide, revealing dozens of brightly coloured zoot suits and shoes. On a nearby table, there were a wide-brimmed hat with feathers, a chain watch, suspenders and a pair of rhinestone cufflinks. For José de la Rosa, this room connects him with his most genuine self.

Rafael Estefania [sic], Pachucos: The Latinx subculture that defied the US, BBC Culture (14.09.2023)

Whoever attempted to Britishify Estefanía's work failed his subject's masculine dignity though. In British English, suspenders hold up a lady's stockings, while a gentleman's trousers are kept from falling to his ankles with the aid of braces; hence the phrase belt and braces, innit?

Fluffy-headed old Auntie Beeb.