We know that rock 'n' roll has now been around long enough to be the subject of serious academic study. We can accept college level classes devoted to the cultural impact of punk, the influence of the artistic fringe on the work of the Velvet Underground, and the inventive and complex harmonies in the collected work of the Beatles. But doesn't there have to be a line somewhere? What I really want to know is the title of the paper mentioned in this week's top quote. Perhaps something like, Transatlanticism: Forging New Bonds in Hipster Communities Shattered by the Great Indie/Emo Divide.

Quote of the Week

At the Jenny Lewis show at the 9:30 Club:

Girl #1: "Did you say that Death Cab was indie or emo? I forget what you had said?"
Girl #2: "Uhhh, ughhh, definitely emo, yeah, emo."
Girl #1: "OK. yeah, cause my paper is like due tomorrow."

After the jump, another entry in our ongoing "tourists say the darndest things" series, the scariest day of the week, and annoying happy hour aftermaths.

Overheard is like that co-dependent relationship you couldn't seem to extract yourself from back in college. Which means we can't go on without each other. Do your part and send in what you hear to overheardindc (at) gmail (dot) com.

Photo of Death Cab for Cutie by Flickr user Tostie14.

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It's killing us not knowing what statement prompted this response.

One morning on the Green Line:

"You just reminded me. I forgot my string cheese."

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Really. We don't mean to have one of these in here every week, but...

In front of the Wilson Building:

One tourist to another: "What the hell is the District of Columbia? I'm going to go inside and ask!"

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There are a few basic vocabulary words one should really think about committing to memory before traveling abroad.

At Naan and Beyond:

Man telling his pal about a recent trip to Germany: "Oh, so I was at this bar and I went to use the restroom, but the doors just said 'Damen' and 'Herren', no pictures. Yeah, I had no idea. So I thought, hmmm... okay, 'Da Men' and went in there. But then this woman came in and screamed."

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This is the sort of conversation that drives Alan Alda up the wall.

Three young 20ish friends walking down sidewalk:

Guy 1: Guess what my favorite TV show is of all time. Guess!
Guy 2: Golden girls?
Guy 1: No!
Girl: M.A.S.H.?
Guy 1: Yes, and what does that stand for?
Girl: Mothers Against Sexual Horses?

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There are certain days that strike fear into the hearts of children even more than Halloween.

Red line to Shady Grove:

Older sister: "Hey, Avery, do you know what today is?"
Younger sister: "What?"
Older sister: "The 29th."
Younger sister: "So that means tomorrow is the 30th."
Older sister: "Right. And after that...are you sure you wanna know what's after that?"
Younger sister: "Yes!"
Older sister: "It's a Tuesday!"
Younger sister: *gasps*

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I'd have preferred something more straightforward, too. Maybe a large plaque reading "Air Force Memorial".

Girl on the Metro:

"I don't like that new Air Force Memorial. It confuses me when I look at it."

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From the hip new 'Little Delhi' district south of K Street.

A lovely autumn afternoon in Georgetown:

"Why are there so many people here today? I feel like I'm in India!"

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Coincidentally, they only started looking that way after you got on.

Monday on the Red Line around 8 p.m:

A young man and his friend, still in their suits, get on the train. A girl tries to get on the train as the doors start to close.
Guy #1 to the girl: "You got it girl! You get on this train! See! You got it!"
His friend: "Whooa, no more liquor for you man."
Later, after his friend departs, Guy #1 looks around the car and exclaims: "Man! You all look miserable!"

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Technically overread more than overheard, but worth a mention anyway.

An IT person advising a user via email on her digitizer board problems:

"I think you may need a good broad. Please send the request to Helpdesk and mention my name."