What Is Folderol?

If you're reading this blog then it's reasonable to assume that you know what the second word in the title means. However, on the off chance that you don't know what it means I feel the need to ask you two questions; The first being ' Have you ever played Vampire: The Masquerade?' and ' Why are you reading this blog if you don't understand the title?

Folderol has no simple definition, in fact it means several things. One definition is foolishness or nonsense, another is nonsensical talk or writing, and yet another defines Folderol as 'a trifle', or 'a gewgaw'. Most people understand what a trifle is but if you're like me you scratch your head when you see the word 'gewgaw', and probably mutter some profanity under your breath as well.

Then you type 'gewgaw' into your search engine or go to Wikipedia. To save you that virtual trip I looked it up myself. A 'gewgaw' is best defined as a showy but valueless trinket, often considered gaudy. But wait there's more. The word Folderol also refers to nonsensical lyrics in a song, like in the song 'Blue' that came out when I was in high school; 'I'm blue, da ba de da ba die'. Meaningless words spoken, either as filler or to keep the beat of a song.

Google the lyrics if you don't believe me. 

Folderol, a word as confusing as the state or situation it attempts to describe. So why put 'America' in front of it? As an American I feel that Folderol is the best word to describe the American situation. We're blitzed by our media, bombarded with foolishness and nonsense from our government and from one another. 

Amidst the confusion and clutter, or perhaps because of it, can anyone say definitively what it means to be an American? This blog is my soapbox, from whence I will espouse that which I believe makes us truly American, the good, the bad, and the folderol.