Sykes Mystery from September Vogue Solved: The True Meaning of "Harrogatha"

Well, at least one of the things we’ve wondered about Plum Sykes has been put to rest!  Back in September, we questioned the existence of the word “harrogatha,” as used in Sykes’ September Vogue article about stylist Ashley Javier, “At the Parlor.”

Also, exclusive hairstylists apparently speak their own language:

When he arrived on Twenty-eighth Street, “This place was harrogatha!  Harrogatha!”

We do not know this word.  Anyone?

We wrote that, and we promptly forgot about it.

Our husband (er, my husband), on the other hand, was truly intrigued by this strange word.  Last week, without any prompting (we swear!),  he sought an answer on Ask Metafilter and then wrote to Vogue, while intrepid MeFite Veronica Sawyer (whom we want to be friends with based on that handle alone) actually called Ashley Javier.

So here’s the deal on Harrogatha, courtesy of our new hero Ms. Sawyer:

When Ashley moved to NYC 15 years ago, he befriended Paul Rutherford of Frankie Goes to Hollywood fame.

So harrogatha (pronounced huh-RAH-gutha) is a term that he picked up from Paul and it means that something is so horrible, so horrendous, so bad that it’s practically infectious.

Ashley’s not sure where Paul picked it up, or if he made it up.

And Vogue representative Phyllis Rifield admits the word is made up:

He has lots of made-up words to express his extraordinary point of view on life.

To summarize: A word of unclear origin was used in an interview.  Sykes wrote it into her story.  And then, not a single editor at Vogue bothered to question its meaning…or, you know, explain a completely fake word to us lowly readers, many of whom have never even been invited for a Javier haircut!  That’s an “extraordinary point of view” indeed!

Comments

[Liz]

That is fantastic! I read AskMe religiously and was really intrigued by the question (not realizing it was from your husband, of course). I didn't follow up the thread to see the end result, so it's great to get an update.

Also, Vogue blows. Harrogatha indeed.