Flowery Language

Float speak.

That’s what scores of float builders and decorators call the insider lingo used during Hell Week, or the days before the Tournament of Roses Parade. Here’s a sampling of other terms provided by float designer Raul Rodriguez and float builders Jim Hynd and Tim Estes, owners of Azusa-based Fiesta Parade Floats.

Drippie: A hanging floral cascade.

Float widow: The spouse of anyone involved in float building from late fall to Jan. 1.

Fluff: Sections of a float that appear fuller, thicker and more layered with flowers than other parts.

Foo-foo: A pretty but nondescript adornment or filigree that fills space on a float.

Nerd tree: Flower-filled vials attached to the tips of branches, making them look like long, creepy fingers.

Pod tree: Flower-covered foam disks attached to tips of branches.

Staticed-out: The state of fatigue or euphoria experienced by those who spend hours and hours preparing statice, the cheapest--and most time-consuming because of its small size--flower used for floats.

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The subculture of people who must wave during the parade may choose from the following moves:

Washing the window: A hand that mimics a windshield wiper.

Checking the tiara: Slowly waving above head as a guise to make sure the little crown is still up there.

Screwing in the light bulb: Keeping one’s arm stationary while twisting the hand and wrist.

Queen for a day: The Queen Mother of all waves involves raising one’s arm and, when the mood strikes, moving the hand left, then right. Relax. Repeat 15 minutes later. Smiling optional.