Mean What You Say

It’s a few days before Christmas, and I’m not feeling especially merry. We’re parked in a lovely site in another fantastic Texas State Park that we practically have to ourselves. Our stay has been great. We’ve rested up from all of the family, fun and food we’ve enjoyed for the last few months. And, we’ve worked off a few accumulated calories hiking the miles of trails here. I’ve used our free time updating Bullwinkle’s Travels with posts about our September travels to Monett, Lake Melvern, Paola and Lawrence. (I'll catch up...someday!) Tomorrow’s forecast is calling for a picture-perfect day to go over the river and through the woods to the Louisiana plantation where we’re looking forward to spending our first-ever Cajun Christmas.

So, what’s the matter?

One stupid word.

I’ve spotted it several times lately. Each time it raises my blood pressure at least a point. This morning, it took me over the edge. So, I’ve decided to do something about it.

And, what is this offensive word?

“Moochdocking”

This neologism has recently emerged in the RVing blogging community. You won’t find it in any dictionary, but I think it means “parking and staying in your RV on the property of a family member or friend”. It appears to be rooted in another term that has become part of the RVing lexicon: Boondocking. That’s another made-up word that basically means free camping without hookups. Some “boondockers” actually go out in the boonies. Others are simply camped in a Walmart parking lot.

While the term boondocking is not always technically accurate, it’s harmless. Moochdocking, however, is another story.

Let’s get down to the root. Dictionary.com offers the following definitions for the verb form of the slang word “mooch”:

1. to borrow without intending to return or repay.

2. to get or take without paying or at another's expense; sponge.

3. to beg.

4. to steal.

At the risk of sounding like a ranting word geek, I checked another source: UrbanDictionary.com. This is the place where real people offer up descriptions of what they actually mean when they choose a particular word.

And, how do they define the word “mooch”? Here’s a sampling of the most popular entries, which use it as a noun:

* A scab or freeloader.

* Someone who wants something for free...someone who takes and takes and never gives back.

* A person who wants other people to pay his way.

* Someone who leeches off other people.

Now, is your average RVer who parks for free in a family member or friend’s driveway a scab, freeloader or leech? Of course not! Are they parked there to beg, borrow or steal? I don’t think so! Especially this time of year, these RVers are likely just wanting to be close enough to family and friends to be part of holiday feasts and festivities. After all, that’s one of the best benefits of this mobile lifestyle. And, chances are these RVers come bearing gifts and are most grateful for a convenient parking spot.

Then, why, dear readers, would this wonderful community adopt a term with such derogatory roots to describe this fun-loving activity?

My best guess is that someone, somewhere thought it sounded clever or cute, without thinking about its meaning. Then, others heard it. And, thinking it was nifty, they used it, too. And, so it went until this morning, when I reached the point where I just couldn’t take it anymore.

My criticism here is not of the act. We’re all for parking as close as we can to where the action is. Along our fulltiming journey, two of our very dear friends have offered us a place to park on their property. One couple even installed 50 amp service at their place just for us! To share your home with family and friends is in itself so generous. To welcome a heavy, moose-size box on wheels on to your place is an especially kind gesture.

No, my problem is with the word. When our friends have offered our moose a spot, we accepted their gift humbly. We were grateful to be close enough to hang out without worrying about things like traffic or when a campground gate might close. And, sure, it’s always nice to save a buck or two when we can. But, were we “mooching” off our dear friends? Certainly not! And, the last thing we would want would be for our friends, or anyone else, to think we were.

How do you think Aunt Gladys would react if she heard her niece or nephew refer to “moochdocking” at her place?

It doesn’t sound so good, does it?

My request of my fellow bloggers is simply to mean what you say. If you really are sponging off your friends and family, then use the word “moochdocking” and we’ll all know what you mean. And, if you’re not just looking for other people to pay your way, then please don’t use that one stupid word.

There. I feel better.