The first entry in the Pegasus stylebook

There's a discussion going on at The Frontburner re: the bad, ugly, dumb word "metroplex." (For our foreign visitors, "metroplex" is a nickname that some folks use to refer to the North Texas region that encompasses Dallas and Fort Worth. It's a lame half-assed attempt at something like "The Twin Cities," "The Big Apple," "The Windy City," et al.)

Here's where we stand on that, and other semi-related issues:

• The word metroplex does not exist.
• Neither does the word "Ameriquest," unless there is a a relevant news story about the local wheelings and dealings of said California-based mortgage company. The MLB venue in Arlington shall be known as "The Ballpark in Arlington," or simply, "The Ballpark."
• It is, however, acceptable to refer to the NBA, NHL and concert venue downtown as "The American Airlines Center," or AAC. It opened its doors under that name and AA is locally-based, so we can live with it.
• Further to that point, it is not obligatory to inlclude johnny-come-lately sponsor names appended onto long-standing local events. The "Jingle Bell Run" can be called just that, unless the writer feels like calling it "The Starbucks Jingle Bell Run."
• The terms Dallasians, Dallasites, HEB-ers, Planies, Arlingtonians, Worthers and the like are acceptable, but discouraged.
• Funny nicknames for public figures are acceptable and encouraged; and may be used in the lede of a story. Early suggestions are welcome in the comments section below.
• The spread is an integral part of any game recap.
• Although readers will have the opportunity to publicly or privately engage in the conversation on any story, we will never refer to such enterprises using the hackneyed phrase "North Texans speak out."
• Blog names will be italicized with the same respect given newspapers, magazines and other publications.

Comments

[Gary]

I truly, truly detest the phrase "North Texans," as used perpetually by the local newscasts. North Texans are always speaking out, going Christmas shopping, etc. according to the newscasts. Yet no one would ever use the phrase in casual conversation: "Look at all the North Texans waiting in line at the restaurant!"

I may live in northern Texas, but I refuse to be labeled a "North Texan."

[Joey]

Amen on just about all this. "Metroplex" is pretty 1/2 arsed. A bastardization of the more urbane "metropolitan". I can see using "metroplex" only in connection with a story that is disparaging of suburban sprawl.

Not sure I buy the justification on the AAC. I think those guys just basically have us by the balls because it was initially named in that fashion. Maybe we should have a vote where we create another name. What was the name of the old power plant? Maybe we could call it that. Or just, the power plant? The Mavs really raised the roof at the Power Plant last night.

[Jeff Harrell]

Are ironic fake sponsorships okay? As in, "Pepsi Presents New Zanzibar?"

And while I don't love "American Airlines Center," two things: 1) We don't have another name for it, and 2) they DID pay for the privilege of having their name above the door.

Shrug.