The Guardian has published the 5,000th entry of its long-running Pass Notes column, a milestone for the feature that has become a staple of modern media.
A regular writer for the series shared insights into the unique process of creating these condensed guides to the modern world.
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The format traditionally dictates that every entry must begin with the age of the subject, a rule that often poses immediate challenges for the creators.
While determining the age of figures like Nigella Lawson or Recep Tayyip Erdogan is simple, topics like Jar Jar Binks require deep research to reveal a birth year of 52 BBY.
The task becomes even more complex when the column tackles abstract subjects such as office temperatures, bees, or God.
If Pass Notes itself were the subject, tracing its exact history would present a similar challenge for the writers.
The concept originally appeared in the short-lived Sunday Correspondent, which closed its doors in 1990.
The Guardian subsequently adopted the idea for its newly launched G2 print section in 1992.
Although the column faced cancellation during a 2005 redesign, editorial teams successfully resurrected the feature in 2009.
From its inception, the column functioned as a comprehensive crib sheet designed to provide readers with essential knowledge about topical subjects.
Over time, the structure shifted into a distinct dialogue between two disembodied voices, where one asks questions and the other provides answers.
Writers utilize this specific framework to balance meticulous accuracy with an approachable, lighthearted narrative tone.
Because the column focuses heavily on current events, many entries capture fleeting societal obsessions that quickly fade from public memory.
Past editions document specific trends like wifi-enabled juicers, Grumpy Cat, bedtime stacking, and the short-lived six-seven phenomenon.
The writer noted that the distillation process leaves authors with vast amounts of niche knowledge regarding obscure topics like coffee pods and the Calibri typeface.
Ending each piece presents another creative hurdle due to the mandatory inclusion of "Do Say" and "Don't Say" recommendations.
Editors frequently flag the initial "Don't Say" suggestions for being too provocative, meaning the final printed version is rarely the writer's first choice.
An explainer detailing the six-seven phenomenon quickly became the most-read entry in the history of the column.
The viral phrase originated from the 2024 track Doot Doot (6 7) by Philadelphia rapper Skrilla before spreading across social media.
The trend gained massive traction through videos featuring basketball player LaMelo Ball, who stands at 6 feet 7 inches tall.
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The widespread cultural impact eventually inspired a dedicated episode of the animated television show South Park.
The archive also contains an entry from 2015 that covered Donald Trump as he launched his official US presidential campaign.
The piece cataloged his initial campaign promises, which included dismantling Obamacare and constructing a wall along the southern border.
The article noted Trump's claims regarding his net worth of $8.73 billion and his intention to self-fund the political campaign.
In 2003, the column drew public attention to royal spending habits by detailing a specific trip taken by Prince Andrew.
The report highlighted his use of a 25-seater royal jet to attend a golf gathering at the Royal and Ancient Golf Club at St Andrews.
The aircraft remained stationed at RAF Leuchars for 11 hours while the prince participated in a round of golf and a black-tie dinner.
Financial estimates from the time suggested the travel logistics cost British taxpayers approximately £10,000.
Tracking Innovations and Fleeting Trends
The column frequently evaluated unusual luxury items, such as a distinct peachy pink silk and wool shawl released by the fashion house Fendi.
The £750 garment featured real fox fur trimming and drew widespread social media mockery for its distinct physical appearance.
Technology trends also faced scrutiny, including a 2013 patent application by Sony engineers for a specialized smart wig.
The document described a wearable computing device built into a hairpiece made from synthetic materials, wool, or animal hair.
The patent outlined advanced theoretical functions for the device, including ultrasound navigation capabilities and wig-to-wig communication.
Health technology appeared in a 2015 entry that questioned the long-term staying power of wearable fitness trackers.
The piece cited an article from the BMJ by Scottish GP Des Spence, who argued that unverified health data could induce anxiety in users.
Societal shifts remained a core focus, with a 2016 entry analyzing the rising popularity of the relationship trend known as ghosting.
Data cited within the archive indicated that approximately 80% of young people had experienced or utilized the practice to end communication.
The review noted that the behavior mirrors traditional concepts like the Irish goodbye or the French exit, which involve leaving gatherings unannounced.
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The column also documented early coffee culture innovations, covering the introduction of the £5 blue latte in Australia during 2016.
