What does the word “Pompatus” mean in Steve Millers song “The Joker”?
Dear Cecil: What does “pompatus” mean? There’s a movie out now called The Pompatus of Love, and of course it contains the Steve Miller song as a theme. I can’t find “pompatus” in the dictionary. Any clues? –Cane95, via America Online Dear Cane: Clues? Pfui. We have cracked the freaking case, thanks to some outstanding legwork by Jon Cryer–actor, cowriter, and coproducer of the movie Pompatus of Love–and my new assistant, J.K. Fabian. J.K. has what it takes to make a real impact in this business: brains, resourcefulness, and best of all an outstanding record collection. “Pompatus” mystified millions when Steve Miller used it in his 1973 hit “The Joker”: “Some people call me the space cowboy. / Yeah! Some call me the gangster of love. / Some people call me Maurice, / Cause I speak of the Pompatus of love.” “Space cowboy” and “gangster of love” referred to earlier Miller songs. Maurice was from Miller’s 1972 tune “Enter Maurice,” which appeared on the album “Recall the Beginning … A
