The Blindboy Podcast What pulling our pants around our ankles can tell us about structuralist theory and oral storytelling
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Sep 30, 2025 A chance meeting with a childhood friend prompts an exploration of nicknames and their roots in Irish storytelling. The interplay between names like Jerry Soft and Jerry Hard illustrates structuralism through binary oppositions. Blindboy weaves hilarious tales about a character named Pullypants, revealing how his antics shaped teenage dynamics. Delving into Irish mythology, he shows how oral traditions layer stories and preserve history. The discussion connects to personal experiences, highlighting the power of names and stories in culture.
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Why Jerry Soft Was Called Jerry Soft
- Blindboy recounts meeting his schoolmate Jerry Soft and tracing the nickname through classmates and rivalries.
- The story explains Jerry Soft's name as a binary contrast to Jerry Hard, rooted in school events.
Names Gain Meaning By Opposition
- Blindboy frames nicknames as structural oppositions per Claude Lévi-Strauss's theory.
- He argues meaning often comes from what something is not, not from inherent traits.
The Summer Pullypants Ruled The Field
- Blindboy tells how 'Pullypants' earned his name by repeatedly pulling boys' shorts down at age ten.
- That summer forced lads to wear tight jeans and belts to avoid public humiliation.