______________________________________________ | | | (*) D.O.A. Incorporated Proudly Presents (*) | |______________________________________________| | | | MACROS: A Way of Life | | | | - or - | | | | Altering the English Language For | | Fun and Profit | |______________________________________________| ______________________________________________________________________________ A phile originally written by Ray Eifler and Neal Manson...recently resurrected and distributed by D.O.A. Inc, April 11th, 1986. A CLASSIC phile, we of D.O.A. felt that it should be re-released for the benefit of all those unfortunates who have not yet experienced...MACROS -- as seen by Ray and Neal. ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ Section I: An Introduction to the Verbal Macro... ______________________________________________________________________________ By no means are we the first to use macros as a way of communication. It is our insistence on using them as a way of permanently altering the English language, and our relentless application of them that distinguish us from being "just another macro user." The following list contains every macro our forgetful minds could recall. Since macros make an excellent test of social compatibility, anyone who understands the true application of many of these macros should seek social contact with either or both of the authors. Be warned, before you begin: the single largest concept underlying the meaning of each macro is SARCASM. This deathly force is a virtual well, from which an infinite number of macros can be drawn; with this in mind, enjoy... ______________________________________________________________________________ Section II: Ray & Neal's Guide to Macros ______________________________________________________________________________ Worthy ------ Sarcasm aside. A term denoting acceptance or approval, generally delivered with enthusiastic tone. ORIGIN: Computer operator at a bank in Ypsilanti, who used it even more often than the authors. USAGE: "WORTHY!" Relentless ---------- Indicating unceasing activity, generally irritating to the speaker; less commonly used as a term of admiration or respect. ORIGIN: The victim of "Body Heat", upon realizing how screwed he was: "Don't you understand? She was RELENTLESS!" USAGE: "What a RELENTLESS guy!" "It's so RELENTLESS!" used for relentless inanimate objects "He's so RELENTLESS" a quote from "Big Man Restless" 'o -- A brief, yet infinitely useful macro. The general syntax for 'o is 'o , where and are two related terms, usually describing the nature of . Used in almost any situation, often, and for no apparent reason. ORIGIN: Cup 'o Pizza, from "The Jerk" USAGE: "Pizza 'o death", to indicate pizza that tastes lousy (that is, sucks.) Oaf --- A term used only with friends, though indicating a stupid action on his or her part. ORIGIN: Somewhere from Shakespeare... USAGE: "You OAF", when a friend has committed an act of general stupidity, or anything that displeases YOU. Goon ---- A step down from "oaf". Used to criticize acquaintances, not REAL friends, whether they are present or not. ORIGIN: ? USAGE: "He's a real GOON" Bonehead -------- A truly degratory term. Almost always used without the presence of the person you are attacking, since "bonehead" generally indicates an intense dislike of that person. "Bonehead", however, may also be used with a fellow "oaf", if whatever they have done to make you call them a bonehead REALLY pissed you off. ORIGIN: Phil? USAGE: "He's a BONEHEAD" "You BONEHEAD!", when intensely angry at a friend The Bearer of the --------------------- Another flexible macro. Used especially when someone is stuck with an unwanted object, . Usually sung, at least twice consecutively. ORIGIN: The Hobbit (an excerpt from the song "The Bearer of the Ring", sung to the same tune.) USAGE: "The Bearer of the box, the Bearer of the box" Without a ----------------- Said to a victim of an incomplete idea or object, or an objective statement about an incomplete THING. Sometimes modified to " without a .... aagh" when is an extraordinarily useless item that could not possibly have a , or anything else. ORIGIN: Billy Idol's "Eyes Without a Face" USAGE: "Guy without a destiny" "Sign without a purpose" "Food without a price tag" That's ALL I need ----------------- A statement of complete contentment, when it is usually obvious that you are not. Often followed by a list of items that are the only OTHER things you need, with an occasional "and that's ALL I need" thrown in for good measure. ORIGIN: Steve Martin in "The Jerk" NOTE: Usually, when invoking this macro, items from the original usage of this macro are used. The list includes: a lamp, a magazine, a remote control, a paddle game, an ashtray... But NOT a Thermos. Anyone who has not seen this film is urged by the authors to do so, as it is not only an excellent source of macros, but of humor in general. USAGE: "Then I'll get enough money for the speakers... and that's all I need. And this... this paddle game. So the speakers and the paddle game... that's ALL I need, not one other thing." Be sure to deliver this macro using a pathetic tone of voice, optionally making feeble scrabbling gestures with your hands. Howdy Good day -------- Traditional sysop's salutation and goodbye messages. Obviously derived from "The Great White North", the comedy skit originating on SCTV, starring Bob and Doug MacKensie. A true source of impromptu humor. ORIGIN: Bob and Doug, like I said, you hoser! USAGE: So pathetically straightforward that it shall not be listed. of Destiny -------------- Used to impart the true importance of . Destiny itself is a very important word, made popular in its untainted form by "Return of the Jedi" (Darth: "If that is your destiny.") The time frame of "destiny" has been altered to apply to short-term events as well; thus, if you are unable to go out, you can say "I have no destiny." Of lesser popularity is the word "death", since the concept of death is not appealing to the masses. " of Death" stresses indifference or a distinct hatred for ; "What Death" denounces an entire concept in just two short words. ORIGIN: Dragon Magazine USAGE: "Car of Destiny" "Hamburgers of Death" I'll take 9 ----------- Close to the ultimate rejection of an object. Applies instantly to such hated objects as Smurf dolls (dolls in general), PacMan paraphernalia, and Muppets. A truly enthusiastic put-down of unknowing salespeople. ORIGIN: Ray USAGE: "I'll take 9", in a very serious and enthusiastic tone. Let me at it! ------------- The sister macro of "I'll take 9". "Let me at it!" usually precedes "I'll take 9", since one must reach an object before truly being able to reject it. ORIGIN: Ray USAGE: "Let me at it!", with nearly religious fervor. Easily amused ------------- A term invented by Ray, since the feeblest attempts at humor start him laughing uncontrollably. Further modified to a deadpan "I am amused" by Neal, to signify that something has actually exceeded his demanding standards. ORIGIN: Ray USAGE: "I am easily amused", interrupted by coughing laughter at the end of a successful, but not THAT humorous, joke. Rag --- A term which often describes the relentlessness of others. Someone "rags" ON someone else... so its common translation is "to be yelled at". A better interpretation would be that someone who RAGS on another gives them guff. ORIGIN: Imported early from California last summer; by winter 1985, the macro had finally found its way across the nation so that most people can comprehend it without our help. USAGE: "I gotta go, Mom's ragging on me..." The Boolean Way of Life ----------------------- A true cult for any computer user. Since Boolean algebra reduces everything to TRUE and FALSE, the Boolean way of Life applies one of these degrees to all things. Thus, one's car is TRUE, unless you don't have one, or it doesn't run, in which case CAR = FALSE. Use it often and well, and soon Our Way of Life will be TRUE. ORIGIN: Neal USAGE: "How Boolean" usually implies that you are being forced into a situation, or shows what a lack of choice you have. "Tonight = FALSE" to tell someone you can't go out. Fetal ----- Fetal refers to the helpless state of the infant; curled up, arms sheltering head and chest. Thus, one "goes fetal" in a situation you are at a loss to deal with; being ragged on by MANY people at once, confronted with humor too fearsome to merely laugh at, or after performing an act of incredible stupidity (this is usually the case.) Feel free to accompany the statement with a live act, curling up on the floor. ORIGIN: Ray USAGE: "How fetal" Most often, "FETAL!" Guy --- A macro of admiration: "What a guy!" shows a genuine respect for the guy involved. "Guys" are not necessarily friends, or even people you know at all; just someone who has done something hefty. ORIGIN: Neal USAGE: "What a guy!" "He's quite a guy" Random ------ Not only a macro, but another way of life. "Random" usually refers to humor (John Belushi smashing the guitar in "Animal House"), but can be used any time, to disarm your friends: "Pardon me, is that Spacelab?" Entire battles of random phrases have been fought; randomness is truly a worthwhile activity, especially at 300 baud. Any situation which totally avoids comprehension (i.e., senseless, useless, or pointless) is generally random. ORIGIN: Ray USAGE: "How random!" Slurpee Run ----------- Since 7-11 is such an important axis for social life in Farmington, the importance of the Slurpee is of legendary proportion. A "Slurpee run", of course, is not restricted to ONLY Slurpees; but it IS limited to 7-11's. There are other types of "runs", the most important of which is "FOOD KING!" ORIGIN: "Slurpee run" - Farmington "FOOD KING!" - "Animal House" USAGE: Those two words are ALL YOU NEED... Buckwheat --------- A macro which has evolved into yet another derogatory term... how could anyone look at Eddie Murphy's character and think anything else? If you haven't seen the show, then DO IT... "buckwheat" defines itself. ORIGIN: Eddie Murphy's "Buckwheat" from "Saturday Night Live" USAGE: "What a buckwheat!" Slay ---- A response to humor; amused to a lesser degree than when one goes fetal. Used in any situation where you are unable to deal with what has occured, but not quite ready to curl up and die. ORIGIN: Neal USAGE: "I am slain" "That slays me" (same tone as "She was RELENTLESS!") Epileptic grandmother Quadriplegic dog ---------------- A macro to mock another's failure. Two unpopular macros because of their predatory nature on the old/crippled/animals; but what the hey. ORIGIN: "Epileptic grandmother" - Ray "Quadriplegic dog" - Neal USAGE: "Even my epileptic grandmother could have done THAT!" Feeb ---- Almost worse than a bonehead; someone who is totally inept at nearly everything. A merciless macro; if you say it directly to a person, it is usually the LAST thing you will EVER say. Neal said it when Mr. Binary rear-ended his Chevette. ORIGIN: Ruth Morgenstein, while she was a sophomore at U of M. USAGE: "What a feeb" Scary ----- Denotes harmlessness. Anything that is "scary" is generally so devoid of terror that even Sir Robin would not soil his armor. ORIGIN: Count Scary USAGE: "Now THAT'S scary" "Ooh, that's scary" Would you like some ----------------------- A vital macro. Used to confuse people who have an obvious need for ; it is delivered with "Would you like some ?", followed by a leery 3-D motion of the hands, towards them and back again, with a truly scary sound effect. Guaranteed to disarm those who do not understand macros at all. ORIGIN: "Dr. Tongue's 3-D House of Stewardesses", from Count Floyd's "Monster Chiller Horror Theater", from SCTV; enthusiastically and eccentrically performed by John Candy and Eugene Levy. USAGE: "Would you like some -- HOT COCOA?" I try to obey, but it is difficult ---------------------------------- This macro is used when you are confronted with a completely impossible task. The line is from "Star Trek II - The Wrath of Khan"; even though Chekov is NOT the one who delivered the line, the macro has somehow developed using his accent. Try to inject a little frustration into it too. So remember: Russian accent, staccato (after all, a thing IS eating your cerebral cortex), and frustration. ORIGIN: "Star Trek II" USAGE: "I try to obey, but it is difficult" He tasks me ----------- Prelude to revenge. This macro is used while plotting against someone, and explaining WHY you must do something; delivered in the fine style of Ricardo Montalban. ORIGIN: "Star Trek II" USAGE: "But... HE TASKS ME!" Riotous ------- A double-bladed macro; "Riotous!" said enthusiastically, actually displays appreciation of something, while "riotous" applied with large amounts of apathy says that there might be some idiot out there who would appreciate it, but it isn't YOU. ORIGIN: Inspired by "Fast Times at Ridgemont High" USAGE: One word is all it takes. Oh that -------------- Not really a derogatory macro. Used when has done something silly, but not STUPID. A sort of situation where you roll your eyes. ORIGIN: Devo's "Whip It" video: "Oh that Alan!" USAGE: "Oh that Chris" Flee ---- THE macro to use when about to escape from any situation that has grown boring or decidedly biased against you. This macro must be followed by immediate action, unless it is a proposal to a larger group. ORIGIN: Neal USAGE: "Flee!" Toy --- To warp the mind of your victim; to "toy" with someone is to use macros with someone uninitiated in our ways, or just confuse them senseless. ORIGIN: Friend of the authors USAGE: "We toyed with them" Now THAT'S reality! ------------------- A blatant macro, used to awaken someone to TRUE reality; often a harsh shock to your victim. It can be used to mock someone's self-righteous attitude. When used with inanimate sources of reality (i.e., cars, copy machines, computers, or anything that has a large influence on your destiny), try to point at the object. ORIGIN: Jackie Gleason, "The Toy" USAGE: "Now THAT'S reality!", accompanied by accusing index finger Righteous --------- A macro on the edge. "Righteous" is on the boundary between complimentary and derogatory macros; a subtle application of sarcasm turns the object of scrutiny into something rejectable. Fortunately for objects of scrutiny everywhere, "righteous" is usually a compliment; not a powerful one, though, since the word's very use mocks the seedy lifestyle of its originators. ORIGIN: Friend of Mr. Thrill USAGE: "Righteous!", ALWAYS enthusiastically, but PERHAPS sarcastically Hefty! ------ One of the few non-sarcastic macros. "Hefty!" is used ONLY to express satisfaction, and then only to a high degree. A "hefty" item or action is nearly perfect; the main idea you are expressing is that you have no problem dealing with it. ORIGIN: Ray USAGE: "Hefty!", sometimes executed with a tilt of the head and gumby expression. ______________________________________________________________________________ Section III: New And Improved Macros ______________________________________________________________________________ this! I got your right here! -------------------------- A rather obscene macro, to be used only in a crowd that would tolerate such a statement from the likes of you (meaning don't go to Highland Park and try a version of this macro.) should be an item someone has just asked you for... and YOU'VE GOT THE RIGHT REPLY! This is one that can get you into trouble... so the authors assume no responsibility for what happens you should you use it indiscreetly. ORIGIN: Mr. Thrill USAGE: (Introductory line: "Go get the pizza!") "I got your pizza, right here!" and immediately execute a move that could only be referred to as a "crotch clutch". Any second now... ----------------- A statement while waiting for something that will never happen. ORIGIN: Highland's commercial for their Memorial Day Sale "The cars are going to start rolling in any second now... any second now." USAGE: "I'm going to get a raise any second now..." Things are going to start happening to me now... ------------------------------------------------ Another macro of destiny from "The Jerk". Use it when you feel a head on collision with destiny; that is, when you're on an ego trip. This also fits in when you are at the basement of boredom... ORIGIN: Steve Martin, "The Jerk" (upon the arrival of THE NEW PHONE BOOK) USAGE: USE IT BE QUIET! --------- A cover-up macro. Use "BE QUIET!" when you are obviously being a moron, and both you and your opponent know it; as soon as he begins to correct you, let loose. Of course, he had better know it is a macro, or it isn't too funny. ORIGIN: "Monty Python and the Holy Grail" USAGE: "BE QUIET!" Gift ---- "Gift" is another very broad, useful macro. EVERYTHING can be thought of as a gift... of course, it could always be a "false gift" or a "gift of taunting". "Gift" originally became popular in the arcades; its application to random luck is unparalleled. ORIGIN: Neal USAGE: "GIFT! GIFT!" for an unbelievable amount of luck "I was truly gifted" to express past luck ______________________________________________________________________________ Section IVa: Work Macros -- An Introduction ______________________________________________________________________________ After over three months of our influence at the workplace, the secretaries and other employees have learned to live with our speech. Once in a while, one of em will spontaneously invent one of their own macros, and this slays us. They are immediately recorded, so that you lucky readers can share them with us... ______________________________________________________________________________ Section IVb: Work Macros ______________________________________________________________________________ You ed it, baby, now live with it ------------------------------------ How boolean. Originally spoken as "You wrote it, baby, now live with it" to Neal, who was trying to debug a program; the original statement is being promoted as the new programmers' motto by the authors. But we found it flexible in every day situations, so replace with the verb of your choice. ORIGIN: P. Fischer USAGE: "You ate it, baby, now live with it" Unprofessional -------------- A macro hated by the authors; most often applied to US, due to our part-time nature. Applicable from our Nike shoes to our attitudes. ORIGIN: W. Avis USAGE: "You guys are unprofessional" ______________________________________________________________________________ Section V: A Few Words From the Authors ______________________________________________________________________________ Well that's the list for now... there are undoubtedly many exceptions, since macros have become such a subliminal, natural part of our speech. Use them well... and remember, if you can't remember a particular macro, any line from Bugs Bunny will do. ______________________________________________________________________________ Section VI: The History of This Phile ______________________________________________________________________________ This phile was originally downloaded off of Ray's now-defunct system which was known to all as "Dungeon of Doom!" Riff Raff got ahold of it a few short weeks after Neal's infamous BBS, >>Metro<<, went down, and, since then, the phile has been "hibernating." We of D.O.A. thought that the time was right to awaken the beast and re-distribute it, "for your viewing pleasure." ______________________________________________________________________________ (*) We of D.O.A. Do Not Intend the Re-Printing of This to Be Considered As (*) (+) Plaguerism, But Just As Distribution. We Hope You Enjoyed It, We Did! (+) (*) Take'r Easy - And May the Gestapo Never Visit Ya! Sincerely -- D.O.A. (*) ______________________________________________________________________________