Bloviating Troglodyte

To bloviate means “To discourse at length in a pompous or boastful manner,” or to “orate verbosely and windily.”

And a troglodyte is, among other things, “One of any savage race that dwells in caves, instead of constructing dwellings; a cave dweller.”

Now, a basement isn’t exactly a cave, but it’s pretty close. So: a “bloviating troglodyte” is somebody who lives in a basement, talks too damn much, and thinks too highly of the things he/she says.

In other words, a blogger.

I owe this epiphany in large part to my friend and sometimes-editor Jo Egelhoff, who, in the Summer of 2008, ceased blogging at her website FoxPolitics.net in order to run for the Wisconsin State Assembly. To prevent her site from ceasing entirely, Jo asked me (and several others) to contribute in her absence.

Upon her return, frequent commenter Lon Ponschock had this to say (fourth comment):

It’s good to see Jo back making commentary in Fox Politics. For myself, I avoided commenting on anything from the crew of right wing bloviators and troglodytes that have filled [these] pages in her absence…

To which I replied (last comment):

Hey, Lon, was I a “bloviator” or a “troglodyte?” I’m hoping troglodyte, but I’d settle for bloviating troglodyte. Just as long as a little troglodytation is in there someplace.

It doesn’t take a genius to see that “Bloviating Troglodyte” would make a great name for a blog. And, being a blogger, I said so at Badger Blog Alliance.

Having excellent taste, Racine blogger Fred Dooley (Real Debate Wisconsin) nominated that line – “Bloviating Troglodyte” would make a great name for a blog – for his regular feature: Monday Random Quotes (MRQ).

Thanks to an astonishing and entirely unexpected torrent of grassroots support, the quote went on to win MRQ of the Week; the quarterly MRQ semi-final; and the ultra-prestigious 2008 MRQ of the Year!

You like me! You really like me!

Hey, you haven’t got one.

And, seeing as how so many of you liked – no, loved - the name, I started this blog. Because for me, it’s all about giving.

My thanks to Lon. Enjoy!