h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

On a visit to Newcastle Upon Tyne I was surprised to hear some teenagers openly trying to scrounge "Tabs" from strangers. I then found out that tabs are also slang for cigarettes in that part of the world (and doubtless many others).

I had a similar experience - when I was in high school, there was German foreign exchange student in our class. I was shocked to see that on his calculator there was a smiley face sticker promoting acid (I assumed it was referring to LSD). About 5 years later I found out from another German classmate that acid is also a form of pop music in germany.

There was a whole movement back in the '80s called Acid House Music, it did originally come from a bunch of DJs and technokids who had taken way too much Acid, hence the name, and the smiley face was it's unofficial mascot. It does still make me laugh that the smiley face is now the most recognisable image on the net, given it's origins.
Tabs is a very common slang term for ciggies all over the UK in fact, we use it down here in Devon as well.

Really? I didn't know about that.

Would the Smiley have transferred across to all these damn Old Skool cd ads we keep on seeing.

Really? I didn't know about that.

Would the Smiley have transferred across to all these damn Old Skool cd ads we keep on seeing?

Tab is of course short for 'tablet' and refers to any drug in tablet form. Common Aspirin is a tab. Smarties and M&M's are tabs. Jelly beans might be considered tabs. Most prescription medications are dispensed in tab form.

When you put one drop of liquid acid (a single dosage) on otherwise innocuous tablets (placebos, aspirin, gravol, sugar pills, etc) then each tablet becomes a 'tab of acid'.

The term was also transferred to 'blotter' or paper forms because the process of creating single drop dosages, from an eye dropper of liquid LSD, is the same as when creating acid 'tablets'. Paper was used when buying gross quantities of 'placebo' tablets attracted the suspicious attentions of law enforcement agencies.

Like all factory work, production is improved with a proper musical environment. And safety goggles, gloves and aprons must be worn at all times. Yes, even then.


~jwf~

This is all excellent but I don't know to update or even if it's possible! Does anyone know?

oops! Sorry.
Did not intend my comments to be anything more than personal anecdotal reflections inspired by the article, an offering from my experience and memories of the time... Did not mean to sound corrective or critical or cause undue concern. I had just finished putting together this week's issue of <./>AGGGAG</.> and must have been still in 'editor' mode if you mistook my tone for anything but the fond remembrances of a mind that opened and said 'Awe'.

I'm sure anyone who reads the entry will also scan this thread if they are interested in reactions from other researchers.

peace
jwf

No concern caused. Constructive criticism welcome. Personal memories are all interesting + therefore welcome too.

Man! You missed Acid house? That was the most fun ever, I only caught the end of it as it was dying really, but without it we would have no techno/rave/drum&bass/jungle/bigbeat etc. etc.
I only just recovered from the after effects of it myself

I probably missed acid house due to not being born. But I'm not really a fan of techno/rave/drum&bass/jungle/bigbeat etc.

Not really into much of it myself anymore to be honest. But at the time it was great (you have to be out of your skull to appreciate it )
And not born when it was going on How young are you?

15 (and three quarters). The entry was written based on a piece of homework I did when I was 13. Then updated and shuffled around and had stuff contributed to it.

A 15 year old knowing that much about LSD? I thought I was the only one (ten years ago anyway). So you were alive when Acid House was going on, just a bit short.

Ah righty then. I just ignored it and got on with going "ga" or "'ot!" depending on how long ago.

Who doesn't like Britpop?

Anyone with any sense

Good, good. Wasn't really a shock to me when there was the "revelation" that there were no British bands in the USA charts for the first time in 40 years.

I am very ashamed of most of the music my fellow countrymen have made in the last 15 years or so, it hasn't been good at all since Ozzy left Black Sabbath.

"Gets Me Through" is good but for the most part I agree with you.