Andrew Warner

What about 'Who-Dey' as a unique and important part of Cincinnati's culture?

Or perhaps "Who-Dey" as a derogatory way of mocking Cincinnati minorities?

"Or perhaps "Who-Dey" as a derogatory way of mocking Cincinnati minorities?"

Many people have told me that we really stole it from Saints fans. It is definitely a stretch to say that it is insulting to minorities. I agree with Eric: it is a part of our culture, for better or worse. So if we're "mocking" any group, it is the Cajuns and their funny accents. I mean, Cajuns haven't done so well over the years (formerly known as Acadians, forced to move to the swamps of Louisiana, etc.), but I doubt there is any anti-Cajun bias behind the chant.

Bengals players are becoming somewhat embarrassing. On the plus side, no one has murdered anyone, so we don't have anyone nearly as bad as Ray Lewis. Having worked in Clermont County, where both O'Neal and Henry were arrested, I'm guessing the reason you don't see more athletes getting DUI's is that many places have given up on them. Notice that you don't see DUI arrests in the city, since Cincinnati cops have largely decided that DUI's aren't worth it, because the judges of Hamilton County are pretty defendant friendly. I would guess that many big city police forces come across similar issues. MADD shot itself in the foot somewhat here: they decided that they wanted extremely strict punishments and low legal limits, but judges generally think the punishments are too strict so they are more defendant-friendly on these issues. Just a bit of background.

Aren't you not even a football fan? Between UC and Bengals football, you've been posting about it a lot recently. Are you bored?

I've heard different stories about the origins of "Who-Dey." I've heard it was from NO. I've heard it was from black and Appalachian culture as well. Any way you cut it up, though, it is a caricature of a minority culture.

It is the spoken equivalent to the Cleveland Indians Native-American logo.

By the way, I've never said anything about disliking football. I love sports.

Maybe you confused my hatred with Ohio State football for disliking sports in general. If so, you were mistaken.

I didn't think you disliked sports, just football. You have discussed soccer on a number of occasions, and I thought I remembered you discussing the many ways soccer was the better sport. Perhaps that was another soccer fan.

"I've heard different stories about the origins of "Who-Dey." I've heard it was from NO. I've heard it was from black and Appalachian culture as well. Any way you cut it up, though, it is a caricature of a minority culture.

It is the spoken equivalent to the Cleveland Indians Native-American logo."

I don't really think Who-Dey is a great cheer, but it is pretty much all we have. The Bengals do not have a huge amount of tradition, and it is the best we can do. I don't think the cheer is a sin against multi-culturalism; it's more of a sin against quality cheers. I would be more than willing to start doing a new cheer, but until then, I think Cincinnatians of all colors and creeds will continue chanting Who-Dey.

Maybe we could teach every Bengals fans this gem:
http://www.bengals.com/fans/fightsong.asp

It is a stupid cheer, which is my primary problem with it.

I may have said soccer is better. I may not have as well. Either way, I like them both.

If you go the Bengals website, www.bengals.com, it has an explanation of the phrase "Who Dey." Go to the "FanZone" section and then "Frequently Asked Questions."

According to the site, we did not steal it from the Saints as our cheer developed in 1981 and the Saints did not develop their cheer until several years later. It's just that the Saints (and their chant) received press coverage first as our chant did not receive press coverage until our playoff run in 1989.

Anyway, Cincinnati is VERY close to Appalachia. A large number of people in Cincinnati are "rednecks" or "hicks." Actually, in my opinion, everyone from Cincinnati is one. Most just aren't willing to admit it and refuse to embrace their heritage and culture. Snobs.

My point is - if a large group of "hicks" develop a chant that is "hickish" - how is that insulting/derogatory? If people choose to mock themselves, it is called having a sense of humor. Not being insensitve.