Ghetto mod?

[oldschool78]

I often see the term "ghetto mod" applied to an upgrade, modification, enhancement or other improvement to ones motorcycle or car. Usually, it involved some amount of ingenuity, skill or economic good sense. A positive thing. When this term is used the author is congratulated on the success and ingenuity of his work. Many have accomplished and shared similar mods without the label.
I did a search on "Ghetto" and Wikpedia offered the following:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ghetto

I don't see the connection.

[messenger13]

These terms can be quite ambiguous. When I hear the term "ghetto mod", I instantly think of a mod that meets several criteria:

It's home-grown.
As inexpensive as possible.
A certain amount of bling-bling added in an effort to make it not look cheap. (Chrome, neon, LEDs, pin-striping, etc.)
Functionality plays second fiddle to form.

[Steve_R]

I believe Ghetto Mod is a progression of terms over time. There have been at least two other terms used during my lifetime. Ghetto Mod seems to be the least offensive of the 3 that I know of. YMMV

OBTW, how about helping us all out with a little information in your profile. It might help us all to know you a little better. Thanks.

[oldschool78]

Sorry, I had my profile filled out way back. Perhaps I accidently deleted it when I paid the membership fee. It is now re-entered.

Thank you Joe for your perspective.

Steve, thank you for your reply. I can only imagine the earlier terms used in place of the present one.

I posed the question as food for thought on terms (or codes)we add to our common every day language over time, often without thought for their origin or what it really means. One guy blesses it, and the other says "Amen". Our young children are always listening. Without context, they repeat without true understanding.

Ride Safe.

[RonKMiller]

Sorry, I had my profile filled out way back. Perhaps I accidently deleted it when I paid the membership fee. It is now re-entered.

Thank you Joe for your perspective.

Steve, thank you for your reply. I can only imagine the earlier terms used in place of the present one.

I posed the question as food for thought on terms (or codes)we add to our common every day language over time, often without thought for their origin or what it really means. One guy blesses it, and the other says "Amen". Our young children are always listening. Without context, they repeat without true understanding.

Ride Safe.

That's what makes the English (American, anyway) language so interesting and "alive" versus many other languages currently spoken. I have two very good French friends (they speak excellent English) and they are constantly amazed at all the new words they hear when they visit. They are so excited they can't WAIT to use them in regular conversation - and they absolutely crack up when they do! French - on the other hand - is REALLY boring and conservative. They even have official government "word police" to keep it from being contaminated. There is - of course - a lot of difference in meaning depending how you "say" their words (it is often referred to as "knowing the code") along with subtle inflection and eye contact that we lack.

When I hear that Webster's Dictionary adds new official "words" like "Google" - and bless it as a VERB - it does get you to thinking...:think: :eek:

For me, "Ghetto mod" means "clever" and "inexpensive" or "making do with what is at hand". Not too far a stretch for me to link that with poor people using the most of their limited resources. I think there is also the connotation of good 'ol American ingenuity - something I see a dire lack of in children (especially boys) these days. It worries me to no end that all the time spent in front of computers and TV's instead of being outside creatively playing and tinkering in the garage is leading to a complete dumbing down of our amazingly inventive society. I think "hands on" stuff is needed for the brain to function at full power.;)

[parishollow]

These terms can be quite ambiguous. When I hear the term "ghetto mod", I instantly think of a mod that meets several criteria:

It's home-grown.
As inexpensive as possible.
A certain amount of bling-bling added in an effort to make it not look cheap. (Chrome, neon, LEDs, pin-striping, etc.)
Functionality plays second fiddle to form.


I think form plays second fiddle to functionality as in, It aint pretty but it gets the job done. Reminds me of Ron's use of the headrest from a car to use as a back rest. I tried that and it worked but sure as heck didn't look all that good.

[meese]

I agree that kids need the hands-on as well. Try taking the lawnmower apart just to see how it works (or to make a go-cart), or building your very own treehouse from scraps found in the neighborhood. But those computer geeks can also change the world, maybe even for the better. Someone's gotta design the next iPod, or ABS, or refrigerator that cools differently depending on what food is in it. All that is based on computer technology, and finding applications in everyday life (or creating new ones). And that's before the Internet and it's endless possibilities, which I'm sure everyone here can see the benefit of.

Now spending countless hours in front of the TV receiving "entertainment" that requires no thought or interaction at all is much worse. Or is that just the parents?