What's going on, Albuquerque?

Am I the only one that thinks "Burque" is more than just a little hokey?

What is with this obsession with the name make-over of converting Albuquerque into 'Burque"? Is it an attempt to make it more hip? With it? Is Albuquerque too old, too stogy or just not cool? I've heard "Burque" described as the insecure middle-school bully making up a threatening nickname for himself.

Albuquerque is a challenge to spell and it takes up a lot of space...but hey, it's the name of the city and it is unique. What's with the need to change it and shorten it so it looks like a pathetic 60-something dressing like a teenager trying to look cool.

Ok, so maybe I'm a little sensitive about Albuquerque because it's where my father was born, where I was born and where my children were born. It's an amazing place that has evolved and grown and blossomed while at the same time maintaining all its aggravating contractions and hidden jewels.

It doesn't have to be "Burque"

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Comment by mombat on September 5, 2008 at 11:11am: Burque is tradtional- check out this post

Comment by Adelita on September 5, 2008 at 11:20am: Actually, check out this post - might shed some light on the term 'Burque.

Comment by mombat on September 5, 2008 at 11:27am: Thanks Adelita, That was the post I wanted initially.

Comment by Neonnoodle on September 5, 2008 at 11:37am: I'm just too lazy to say "Albuquerque" sometimes :)

Comment by jeff on September 5, 2008 at 12:56pm: i'm a transplant so maybe i don't get to vote...but it induces a similar wincing response for me as hearing "frisco" while growing up near san francisco. of course, it was the opposite condition - only those not from the area called it that....

i chalk up the revival and popular usage to some vague ideas about tribalism and identity in the face of globalization.

Comment by Mark on September 5, 2008 at 1:24pm: I was surprised to learn that it was very old term myself. The badass superintendant on one of my construction projects had a script "Burque" tatoo on the back of his skull - and imediately I knew that this wasn't an recent Alibi concoction... as so many people think.

Comment by misterhinkydink on September 5, 2008 at 1:39pm: I think the 'The Q' sounds like a moniker for a crappy radio station.

Comment by jeff on September 5, 2008 at 1:47pm: rudolfo,
i had a feeling i was stepping in it when i wrote that. let me be very clear - i'm only referring to the "american, english-speaking popular culture" as you clarified.
i'll concede that 'tribalism' is perhaps just a sloppy and poorly chosen word in this context.

i'm not ready to agree with your assertion that the pervasiveness or stamina of the spanish language is responsible with the resurgence. i think it has more to do with finding a spatial identity and, probably in some people, expressing a certain cultural deference. i'm not sure, off the top of my head, what a better word for the group and spatial identity i'm trying to describe would be to replace 'tribal' though.

thanks for making me think it through a bit more.

Comment by Miranda on September 5, 2008 at 1:55pm: I really think that Burque has become so popular lately because like Spohie said, they're trying to make us use "The Q."
Since we're a city full of tradition and deep roots I it seems silly to me that someone would try to disregard the history we have (and love) and go for something "modern" and "hip." What's wrong with The Duke City or Burque? If it ain't broke don't fix it!

Comment by Phil_0 on September 5, 2008 at 2:02pm: I'm anglo, but born and raised here, and I've been abbreviating Albuquerque to "Burque" since high school at least. I think the issue Rudolfo's trying to get at it is that for many (quite possibly a majority) of Albuquerque's residents Burque isn't in any way "new" or a "make-over"...it's simply what you call Albuquerque when you don't want to use as many syllables. The Alibi's adoption of the term and the backlash over "the Q" may have brought it to the attention of a lot of people who weren't familiar with it before, but Burque is in no way a "sudden" coinage. It's how many, many people have referred to this place for generations. And in that sense, its persistence and resurgence both have something to say about the resilience of New Mexican spanish.

And yeah, there's no such place as "Berrkee." If not pronounced correctly, it sounds very silly.