#there's an overuse of wwe gifs in here

[mhalachai]

word of the week: Kayfabe

Back to the main purpose of this series, which is to share new words I learned this week, and this one is fascinating. I came across it in a post about DND (re the relationship between the GM and the players), but it’s originally a professional wrestling term, which immediately sparked my interest.

Word of the week: Kayfabe

Definition: Kayfabe is a term that involves acknowledging the staged and scripted nature of professional wrestling, instead of presenting it as an competitive sport*. Used by those in the business (primarily talent or event staff), the concept of kayfabe refers to how, traditionally, professional wrestlers stayed in character both in and out of the ring, and that the match-ups and interactions are scripted, and not real.

Historically, wrestlers were in on the act at all times, to keep up the pretense that the outcome of in-ring matches was not pre-determined.

*Look I know, what is a sport, anyway? Professional wrestling is entertainment, but that doesn’t diminish from the fact that it’s a punishingly physical way to earn a living. I know people who were on the amateur circuit after doing MMA, and they say it’s harder mentally and physically to take part in professional wrestling, because you can’t just fall back on your instincts to finish the match. It’s theatre, it’s stunt acting, it’s dangerous, and while the storylines can be a little silly, it’s fun entertainment.  

Use: In addition to referencing the “stay in character” nature of the work, it can also be used as a warning that someone who isn’t in on the act is in the area, so wrestlers would know not to break character.

Does this look like a man surprised to be surrounded by sudden flames?

Origin: It’s wrestling, baby – there is no truth. Wikipedia has some out-there theories, but there’s a likely contender:

Another theory suggests that the term derives from the expression "keep cavey", from the Latin verb caveo, which means "look out for"; this phrase was used throughout Britain and by Jews living in East London between World Wars I and II. According to that theory, many US promoters and wrestlers at that time were of Eastern European origin and many had heavy accents, leading to the term being transformed into "kayfabe"

Or the dictionary suggestion:

 It is often theorized that it originated in carnival jargon as a disguised slang variation of the word fake or the phrase be fake - or a variant of pig Latin that went from be fake to kayfabe.

The Wikipedia article also has a lot more info on kayfabe in WWE and beyond, and if you’re into professional wrestling, it’s an interesting read.

So that's this week's word. Next week when I'll be digging into some Canadian vernacular that might be new to everyone who didn't grow up on the Prairies. Until then,