Nothing seemed amiss when, as president of the Kentuckians of New York, I approved of putting this line on Saturday’s Kentucky Derby party invitation: “Hats, bow ties and bring $10 for the Derby hat winner!”
No one over 40 in our burgoo of Big Apple Kentuckians made inquiries. By contrast, Gen Z members clutched their bonnets:
“Ten bucks? Who’s judging, Kate Middleton?” a recent transplant quipped. “Colts competing with fillies in headwear? Seems unfair,” another snarked. I’m tickled as mint in mud, since there’s no pricey hat competition. Old-timers know the line is code. Translation: “$10 for a party bet.”
Young people today aren’t familiar with the moral dilemmas of my youth.
