[Ads-l] Word: lampshade (verb); lampshade hanging (phrase)

[ADSGarson O'Toole]

I recently encountered the word "lampshade" used as a verb. A visit to
Wiktionary provided the pertinent definition together with a first
citation dated September 9, 2008. This sense of "lampshade" is not
listed in the OED or the Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary.

[Begin Wiktionary definition]
(narratology, fandom slang) To intentionally call attention to the
improbable, incongruent, or clichéd nature of an element or situation
featured in a work of fiction within the work itself.
[End Wiktionary definition]

[Begin Wiktionary citation]
2008 September 9, Bryan Derksen, “Re: Ten Things That Annoy Me in
Science Fiction”, in rec.arts.sf.written‎[1] (Usenet):
This was nicely lampshaded in an episode of Stargate wherein several
characters wind up returning to Earth via the previously-unknown
Antarctic Stargate and get stranded there without any idea of what
really happened. They conclude that they're on an "ice world" that's
devoid of life.
[End Wiktionary citation]

Here is an earlier citation.

Usenet discussion message
Timestamp: May 5, 2008, 8:55:47 AM
Newsgroup: rec.arts.comics.reviews
From: Midwest Book Review
Subject: MBR: The Comix/Graphic Novel Shelf
Database: Google Groups Search
https://groups.google.com/g/rec.arts.comics.reviews/c/esPlrtmP73M/m/DHISyS2eTH0J

[Begin excerpt]
The over-the-top two-fisted action combined with fiendishly
overwrought narration and tongue-in-cheek lampshading of comic genre
conventions make for an exhilaratingly funny read cover to cover.
Highly recommended.
[End excerpt]

Here is an earlier citation but the meaning is ambiguous (to me).

Usenet discussion message
Timestamp: Apr 24, 2008, 9:46:36 AM
Newsgroup: rec.arts.comics.strips
From: Freezer
Subject: Luann - 4/24 - and again and again...
Database: Google Groups Search
https://groups.google.com/g/rec.arts.comics.strips/c/dmsWMiuU0O8/m/rYR-JYWJ15UJ

[Begin excerpt]
If I don't respond to this cbrubaker post, the terrorists win.
> About time somebody noted Bernice's sarcasm.
>
> http://www.comics.com/comics/luann/archive/luann-20080424.html
>
About time someone lampshaded the long, winding road to nowhere that
Luann's "love life" is. (And how she never seems to shut up about it.)
[End excerpt]

The verb "to lampshade" is apparently derived from the phrase
"lampshade hanging". Here is a description:

Website: TVTropes
https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/LampshadeHanging
[Begin excerpt]
Lampshade Hanging (or, more informally, "Lampshading") is the writers'
trick of dealing with any element of the story that seems too dubious
to take at face value, whether a very implausible plot development or
a particularly blatant use of a trope, by calling attention to it and
simply moving on.
[End excerpt]

Here is a 2004 citation for "lampshade hanging", but I am confident
that it was already in use.

Usenet discussion message
Timestamp: Apr 15, 2004, 8:39:25 PM
Newsgroup: alt.tv.nickelodeon
From: ungvichian
Subject: Hey Arnold!: episode notes
Database: Google Groups Search
https://groups.google.com/g/alt.tv.nickelodeon/c/qOCWfd2cx2U/m/_WYXw7h5xWUJ

[Begin excerpt]
After the sequence, Helga does a little "lampshade hanging" about her
weird dreams.
. . .
"Shouldn't Phoebe be the finalist?" (Arnold, in dream sequence) "Good
thing it was just a crazy dream" (Helga, lampshade hanging) "...and
you would have been a contender, instead of being an alternate, which
is what you are . . .
[End excerpt]

Garson

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