# "Pregnant Women are Smug" is bad and it should feel bad **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [August 8, 2014, 11:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pregnant-women-are-smug-is-bad-and-it-should-feel-bad/695129 "2014-08-08T23:01:26Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 10
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2014, 3:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pregnant-women-are-smug-is-bad-and-it-should-feel-bad/695129/181 "2014-08-11T15:05:47Z")
Good call. I _think_ I’d heard of Garfunkel and Oates prior to this thread - at most with the vague sense they were a musical comedy act - but now I’ve been prompted to listen to at least a dozen of their songs and if _Pregnant Women are Smug_ is to be viewed negatively, it’s only in comparison to their other work. Personally, pregnancy doesn’t really resonate with me as a topic for comedy, not because I hold it in any kind of reverence, but because I find it kind of disinteresting. ---
**Author:** ![Frylock](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/ce7236/32.png) [@Frylock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frylock)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2014, 3:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pregnant-women-are-smug-is-bad-and-it-should-feel-bad/695129/182 "2014-08-11T15:39:25Z")
> [@GrandWino](#): > > What’s funny to me is the Streisand Effect going on in this thread. Many people who’d never heard of this song are now listening to it and becoming fans, the opposite effect the OP was probably hoping to elicit. I have fewer than zero problems with this. ---
**Author:** ![Drunky\_Smurf](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/drunky_smurf/32/449_2.png) [@Drunky\_Smurf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Drunky_Smurf)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2014, 3:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pregnant-women-are-smug-is-bad-and-it-should-feel-bad/695129/183 "2014-08-11T15:45:45Z")
> [@Frylock](#): > > I’d think you’d know what the next step in the conversation is, and that you’d anticipate it. What is the next step in the conversation? > [@](#): > > I don’t know, it’s a common source of frustration for me–I am always surprised when people don’t just think the next thought. What is the next thought? > [@Frylock](#): > > I have fewer than zero problems with this. I have no idea what this is supposed to mean. It is impossible to have less problems than zero. 😕 ---
**Author:** ![Frylock](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/ce7236/32.png) [@Frylock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frylock)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2014, 3:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pregnant-women-are-smug-is-bad-and-it-should-feel-bad/695129/184 "2014-08-11T15:50:20Z")
> [@Drunky\_Smurf](#): > > What is the next step in the conversation? > > What is the next thought? Later on in the thread, this was discussed further. A basic reply can be found in **BigT** ’s post [here](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?p=17623311#post17623311) > [@](#): > > I have no idea what this is supposed to mean. It is impossible to have less problems than zero. 😕 It is supposed to mean I not only have no problem with it, I see it as a good thing. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2014, 3:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pregnant-women-are-smug-is-bad-and-it-should-feel-bad/695129/185 "2014-08-11T15:57:52Z")
> [@GrandWino](#): > > What’s funny to me is the Streisand Effect going on in this thread. Many people who’d never heard of this song are now listening to it and becoming fans, the opposite effect the OP was probably hoping to elicit. Yep. I have a credit from iTunes and guess how I’m using some of it? ---
**Author:** ![CrazyCatLady](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/dfb087/32.png) [@CrazyCatLady](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CrazyCatLady)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2014, 3:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pregnant-women-are-smug-is-bad-and-it-should-feel-bad/695129/186 "2014-08-11T15:58:17Z")
> [@Frylock](#): > > That’s exactly where I disagree. I don’t think that “pretty much every pregnant woman has at least one moment where she’s an obnoxious twit about the whole thing.” I think you’re wrong to assume that “pretty much every pregnant woman” has a notion that something specially magically expressive of her personal creative powers is happening, such that she should have some kind of special deference afforded to her. I’m not saying all or most or even a significant number walk around like that _all the time_. I’m saying that every single pregnant woman I have ever personally known has had at least one _moment_ where that’s happened, even the ones who are normally perfectly nice, sane, unassuming folks. I guess they could have written “The vast majority of pregnant women are at least momentarily smug” instead, but that would have really fucked up the meter of the song. ---
**Author:** ![Drunky\_Smurf](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/drunky_smurf/32/449_2.png) [@Drunky\_Smurf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Drunky_Smurf)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2014, 4:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pregnant-women-are-smug-is-bad-and-it-should-feel-bad/695129/187 "2014-08-11T16:04:46Z")
> [@Frylock](#): > > Later on in the thread, this was discussed further. A basic reply can be found in **BigT** ’s post [here](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?p=17623311#post17623311) Thank you. I somehow missed that. > [@](#): > > It is supposed to mean I not only have no problem with it, I see it as a good thing. Oh, ok. ---
**Author:** ![Frylock](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/ce7236/32.png) [@Frylock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frylock)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2014, 4:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pregnant-women-are-smug-is-bad-and-it-should-feel-bad/695129/188 "2014-08-11T16:06:56Z")
> [@CrazyCatLady](#): > > I’m not saying all or most or even a significant number walk around like that _all the time_. I’m saying that every single pregnant woman I have ever personally known has had at least one _moment_ where that’s happened, even the ones who are normally perfectly nice, sane, unassuming folks. I guess they could have written “The vast majority of pregnant women are at least momentarily smug” instead, but that would have really fucked up the meter of the song. _But I would have liked it better dammit._ I kid. Honestly I’ve appreciated what you’ve had to say. I think we’ve reached the limit of what we can say constructively, though–it’d be a version of “yes they do,” “no they don’t,” etc. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Frylock](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/ce7236/32.png) [@Frylock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frylock)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2014, 4:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pregnant-women-are-smug-is-bad-and-it-should-feel-bad/695129/189 "2014-08-11T16:11:14Z")
> [@Drunky\_Smurf](#): > > Thank you. I somehow missed that. No problem at all. You know… crap. I think my initial reply to _SuperDude_ was wrongheaded. Goddammit. I’m sorry _SuperDude_ and almost everyone else\* who was thinking the same thing he was thinking. I should have just replied with text like what **BigT** said. I think I’ll probably just use that post as a standard link if the subject ever comes up again. But for me to say everyone should see it ahead of time, well, that was just mean. People are different and different things are important to different people and different things are salient for completely innocent reasons. \*I exclude **njtt** from this apology. ---
**Author:** ![jimbuff314](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/c57346/32.png) [@jimbuff314](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jimbuff314)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2014, 7:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pregnant-women-are-smug-is-bad-and-it-should-feel-bad/695129/190 "2014-08-11T19:31:52Z")
Thank you for this. (except the last sentence?) That was the major thing that ticked me off in your replies, that you know what my next thought should be and why don’t I just go ahead and think it. I ascribed my _not_ knowing to only having been here 7 years, not 13, and basically thought “Well, I’m over halfway there to finding out the really good shit!” ---
**Author:** ![Superdude](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/superdude/32/13450_2.png) [@Superdude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Superdude)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2014, 12:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pregnant-women-are-smug-is-bad-and-it-should-feel-bad/695129/191 "2014-08-13T12:15:28Z")
**Frylock** , I apologize for not quite letting this thread die, but I have a question for you. It may seem unrelated at first, but indulge me. I’m going somewhere with it. Did you ever watch the show [Mystery Science Theater 3000](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mystery_Science_Theater_3000)? The reason I ask is because of the theme song. If you listen to the lyrics, it specifically says: > [@](#): > > If you’re wondering how he eats & breathes, > And other science facts…(la! la! la!) > Then repeat to yourself its just a show, > I should really just relax… I’m not trying to be snarky. I’m really not. Songs don’t always have to depict real life. Johnny Cash didn’t really shoot a man in Reno just to watch him die. At least, I don’t think he did. If he did, good on him for confessing to murder, and still getting away with it. It’s fiction. It’s satire. It’s a generalization. ---
**Author:** ![AnaMen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/dfb087/32.png) [@AnaMen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AnaMen)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2014, 2:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pregnant-women-are-smug-is-bad-and-it-should-feel-bad/695129/192 "2014-08-13T14:59:16Z")
> [@Superdude](#): > > I’m not trying to be snarky. I’m really not. Songs don’t always have to depict real life. Johnny Cash didn’t really shoot a man in Reno just to watch him die. At least, I don’t think he did. If he did, good on him for confessing to murder, and still getting away with it. > > It’s fiction. It’s satire. It’s a generalization. It’s commentary and delivering a message. What is wrong with analyzing that message? Do you think art is not a reflection of the culture? Do you think art does not influence the culture? The MST song’s message in that section tells you to dismiss your scientific concerns about a work of fiction. I don’t think it’s trying to say that songs, by their very nature, are irrelevant. When Johnny Cash sings about the guy he did not actually shoot in Reno, he is inviting us to imagine the mindset of this fictional fellow who ignored his mama’s good advice and now must pay for his mistake forever. The fact that it didn’t happen and he is merely speculating about what it would feel like doesn’t make the song unworthy of further discussion. ---
**Author:** ![jimbuff314](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/c57346/32.png) [@jimbuff314](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jimbuff314)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2014, 5:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pregnant-women-are-smug-is-bad-and-it-should-feel-bad/695129/193 "2014-08-13T17:45:57Z")
I have often thought that singers should only be allowed to sing of things they have actually experienced (you know, like Taylor Swift), with actual written provenance to back it up, 'cause otherwise, damn, it’s a free-for-all innit? ---
**Author:** ![Frylock](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/ce7236/32.png) [@Frylock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frylock)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2014, 6:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pregnant-women-are-smug-is-bad-and-it-should-feel-bad/695129/194 "2014-08-13T18:25:59Z")
> [@AnaMen](#): > > It’s commentary and delivering a message. What is wrong with analyzing that message? > Do you think art is not a reflection of the culture? Do you think art does not influence the culture? > The MST song’s message in that section tells you to dismiss your scientific concerns about a work of fiction. I don’t think it’s trying to say that songs, by their very nature, are irrelevant. > When Johnny Cash sings about the guy he did not actually shoot in Reno, he is inviting us to imagine the mindset of this fictional fellow who ignored his mama’s good advice and now must pay for his mistake forever. The fact that it didn’t happen and he is merely speculating about what it would feel like doesn’t make the song unworthy of further discussion. I’ve been itching all morning to answer the post, but the above pretty much covers it. 🙂 Can I point out, in a friendly way, the irony of using a song’s (the MST3K theme) lyrics as part of an argument that we shouldn’t take songs’ lyrics seriously? 😉 ---
**Author:** ![singular1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ba9def/32.png) [@singular1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/singular1)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2014, 7:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pregnant-women-are-smug-is-bad-and-it-should-feel-bad/695129/195 "2014-08-13T19:03:17Z")
> [@Shodan](#): > > No wonder, then. 😃 > > If she would gain a few pounds she would be cute. > > Regards, > Shodan Way to _completely_ misread the room. Thanks for this brilliant and oh-so-necessary comment.:rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![Superdude](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/superdude/32/13450_2.png) [@Superdude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Superdude)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2014, 10:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pregnant-women-are-smug-is-bad-and-it-should-feel-bad/695129/196 "2014-08-13T22:35:22Z")
> [@AnaMen](#): > > The MST song’s message in that section tells you to dismiss your scientific concerns about a work of fiction. I don’t think it’s trying to say that songs, by their very nature, are irrelevant. I think it’s a decent illustration of the premise that some portions of art/pop culture/society are allowed to be irrelevant, and not every premise in the arts is meant to be accepted as 100% factual. > [@](#): > > When Johnny Cash sings about the guy he did not actually shoot in Reno, he is inviting us to imagine the mindset of this fictional fellow who ignored his mama’s good advice and now must pay for his mistake forever. The fact that it didn’t happen and he is merely speculating about what it would feel like doesn’t make the song unworthy of further discussion. With all due respect, you’re making my point for me. Garfunkle and Oates are inviting us to imagine the mindset of someone who thinks that pregnant women are smug, and that they are merely speculating that everyone knows it. But nobody says it because they’re pregnant. The fact that not all pregnant women are smug is part of the humor. It’s akin to people who say, “oh, kids are great at [insert age here].” Not all of them are. But we pretend. ---
**Author:** ![Frylock](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/ce7236/32.png) [@Frylock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frylock)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2014, 11:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pregnant-women-are-smug-is-bad-and-it-should-feel-bad/695129/197 "2014-08-13T23:12:04Z")
> [@Superdude](#): > > I think it’s a decent illustration of the premise that some portions of art/pop culture/society are allowed to be irrelevant, and not every premise in the arts is meant to be accepted as 100% factual. > > With all due respect, you’re making my point for me. Garfunkle and Oates are inviting us to imagine the mindset of someone who thinks that pregnant women are smug, and that they are merely speculating that everyone knows it. But nobody says it because they’re pregnant. The fact that not all pregnant women are smug is part of the humor. It’s akin to people who say, “oh, kids are great at [insert age here].” Not all of them are. But we pretend. I really don’t think that’s what a lot of people are laughing at when they laugh with this song. In this very thread we have people affirming that it’s funny because it’s true. ---
**Author:** ![Sunny\_Daze](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sunny_daze/32/438_2.png) [@Sunny\_Daze](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunny_Daze)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2014, 12:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pregnant-women-are-smug-is-bad-and-it-should-feel-bad/695129/198 "2014-08-14T00:12:53Z")
> [@kayaker](#): > > Can we all at least agree that a lap dance is always better if the stripper is crying? er, no. :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2014, 2:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pregnant-women-are-smug-is-bad-and-it-should-feel-bad/695129/199 "2014-08-14T02:44:12Z")
So what happens when Frylock puts more effort into analyzing the song than Garfunkel and Oates put into writing it? Does he get also get a series on IFC? ---
**Author:** ![AnaMen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/dfb087/32.png) [@AnaMen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AnaMen)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2014, 4:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pregnant-women-are-smug-is-bad-and-it-should-feel-bad/695129/200 "2014-08-14T04:13:09Z")
There is no “pregnant women are smug” stereotype that existed for them to make fun of. They created it and it rings true for people. That’s what makes it funny (if anything). [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pregnant-women-are-smug-is-bad-and-it-should-feel-bad/695129.md?page=9) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pregnant-women-are-smug-is-bad-and-it-should-feel-bad/695129.md?page=11)