Tobacco Avenue

A pop culture expert predicted this week that three words - “She’s so Juno” - will become the most oft-said buzz-phrase of 2008 in the wake of the successful motion picture.

Speaking to a group of writers at the Richmond convention center on Tuesday, author Cristen Dulaney said she believes the saying is still in its infancy with the recent nationwide release of “Juno.” However, the nickname is already being used in some circles to describe females who are independent-minded, free-spirited and have a unique sense of style that may include tight jeans, fringe haircuts and large belt buckles, she said.

Dulaney noted that the Juno adage should rise to the level of once-popular sayings such as Dave Coulier’s “Cut, It, Out” stated with corresponding hand signals, “Sup, B?” and “Quit icing my grill.”

But “She’s so Juno,” Dulaney said, should have some staying power for years to come.

“Some might call these people ‘Emo,’ others just call them offbeat,’” said Dulaney, author of Saying Spotting and When Stereotypes become Stereotruths (both titles Penguin books, $19.95).  “However, as more and more people see this movie it is obvious to me that this MySpace-gen demographic will frequently be referred to as ‘Junos.’”

Dulaney noted that while some people consider the “J-word” to be derogatory, the societal epithet is already in frequent use by Junos or groups of Juni.  Locally, Richmond is said to have a “quite healthy” population of Junis, Dulaney said, with nearly 94 percent of the Junebug community having seen the film. 

Fox Searchlight’s “Juno” has become an instant hit among fans, earning more than $70 million in its first month in theaters.  The film stars relatively unknown Canadian actress Ellen Page as the title character, a 16-year-old who becomes pregnant and finds a home for her baby while dealing with the trials and tribulations that confront typical offbeat high schoolers.

Claire Hines, a 19-year-old Juno from Virginia Commonwealth University, said she is already using the term among friends. 

“We’re proud to be Junos, doesn’t wig me out whatsoever homeslice,” Hines said on campus yesterday, noting her similarities to the character are many.  “The flick is great - it’s like, hey, what a novel concept Michael Crichton, ’cause this thing is just the most shiz-nastically cool movie ever without even trying, you know?”

Added Hines: “Totally dank.”

Author Dulaney said she is nearly positive “She’s so Juno” will rule over all other sayings this year, noting it is already far ahead of other early 2008 contenders ”Britnuts” and “Drop it like Bernanke.”