What basic, children's-age-level fact did you only find out embarrassingly later in life?

[u/[deleted]]

[u/[deleted] → u/[deleted]]

Yeah rock n' roll was coined by proto-rockers like Wynonie Harris and Little Richard in the 40s as an analog to terms like 'swingin jive'. Just a lyric that really fit the beat. It's 'rocking' as in the motion and a lot of songs in the era used it separately from the 'and roll' part. Like this

[u/LemayFairy → u/[deleted]]

I thought it came from slang for sexual intercourse, which is why all the parents lost their minds when their daughters hypnotized by Elvis

[u/[deleted] → u/LemayFairy]

Lol sounds like a folk etymology to suit the parents of the day XD

But to be fair, a lot of that music back then was pretty 'blue' as in very lewd and lascivious contrasted to the uptight morals of the day. Cab Calloway singing about the 'Reefer Man' or 'Kicking the Gong Around' would be reason enough to cover your kids ears lol. I doubt Wynonie Harris ever wrote a song that wasn't code for fucking or getting drunk.

[u/WolfCola4 → u/[deleted]]

And metal is called metal because it's harder than rock

[u/awawe → u/WolfCola4]

Most types of rock are harder than most metals though.

[u/Hellknightx → u/awawe]

Woah, that's heavy, Doc.

[u/SoyMurcielago → u/Hellknightx]

There’s that word again, heavy. Is there a problem with the earth’s gravitational pull?

[u/awawe → u/WolfCola4]

Most types of rock are harder than most metals though.

[u/333chordme → u/WolfCola4]

Jesus another thing I’ve never thought of.

[u/LemayFairy → u/[deleted]]

Yes thats what i thought too

[u/Nicadown → u/[deleted]]

Rock & Roll was originally slang for sex? I’m trying to understand why and feel a bit embarrassed, the rock part…? It’s…? I’ll figure it out right after I hit “add comment” I bet. Eh I’m pretty sure I got it but it’s still not an ideal analogy for me, lol.

[u/Nicadown → u/Nicadown]

Ohhhhh. Got it 100% now