I Am What You Young People Call A Puma

M called this morning on her way to work because she heard that a woman in her thirties who dates younger people is called a "puma" (a woman in her 40s or up is a cougar). This was funny because M's nickname is "pyooma." So, that makes us both pumas.

To validate what she heard, I googled it and came across this, " Species characteristics include a penchant for home decorating, an interest in dogs (the only other species they can live with), an avid consumption of home products such as tinfoil and Cheez Whiz, and a limited interest in technology. They have a high fat diet but are usually in shape because of sheer genetics and extensive shopping, dinner party planning and traveling. They often wear clothes that they're a bit too old for such as Spandex and high heels. They dye their hair and wear lots of makeup and jewelry. Cougars-in-training (i.e., women in their thirties) are called "pumas". Women in their twenties are "cougar cubs".

I protest the Cheese Whiz comment and vow to wear high heels and Spandex until the day I die.

Pyoo-ma

If you get a chance, you need to see the episode of Man vs Wild Patagonia.

M and I watch a lot of Discovery Channel and Man vs Wild is a bit of a joke for us - especially the notice in the beginning about how Grylls and his crew use may rely on professionals and the show is really to demonstrate skills. Yeah, we know you are sleeping in 5 star hotels. Eating bugs and taking your clothes off won't change that.

This episode, I think I was blogging and not paying attention and
M: What's a Pyoo-ma?
A: You mean a puma?

That must be how the brits call pumas but it is HILARIOUS.

"We are in Pyoo-ma territory"
"See the Pyoo-ma tracks in the ground"
"The calf had no chance against the Pyoo-ma"
"I will cry like a baby if a Pyoo-ma came after me"

Update: M looked up "puma" in dictionary.com and pyoo-muh is the first pronounciation followed by poo-muh. And when I googled it, pyoo-muh is typical for brits and aussies. Who knew?

Update (9/5): my Australian co-worker says pyooma.