What are the possible meanings for this expression (considering USA English context)? I guess it might be related to "hair" as well as to "car," but I am not sure.

 

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Welcome to the forums Maurom.


To avoid wild guessing, which will not serve you well, we require a full sample sentence. In addition, we need some background and context. Also, please consult a dictionary before starting a thread. Nap and back both have many different meanings.

 

The back of the neck is the nape.

A nap in the back is a short sleep in the back seat or the back room.

.,,

 

This is the context in which "naps in the back" appears (It is from a poem by the African American poet Harryette Mullen): (the problem is that it really lacks "context" in its traditional sense because it is not actually connected in a phrase, and this seems to go on purpose): (my guess is that it somehow relates to "hair" but also to backroom, but I am not sure if my interpretation is acceptable - I am not a native speaker of English):


what you do to me
got to tell it
sing it shout out
all about it

ketchup with reality
built for meat wheels
the diva road kills
comfort shaking on the bones

trouble in mind
naps in the back
if you can’t stand
sit in your soul kitsch
.....

 

Why do you think that it relates to hair?

.,,

 

Possibly because of the not-to-politically-correct phrase "nappy hair" which refers to the tightly curled hair of many people of African ancestry.

I, however, suspect that the meaning of 'nap in the back' in this poem is not referring to hair.
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The author pulls on languages of African-Americans, Spanish from New Mexico and Texas and elsewhere, plus English, plays with the words, alters them etc.

I paraphrased the above information from this site: http://www.twc.org/forums/poetschat/poetschat_h_mullen.html which contains an interview with this writer about how she composes her writing.

I suspect it won't be an easy task to determine the meaning of the phrase naps in the back in this poem.

Orange Blossom

 

It is blindingly obvious to me but maybe I look at poetry differently. This is a twist of a very old saying with a new slant.

If you can't stand the heat get out of the kitch(en) and take a nap in the back(room).

.,,

 

Hello guys! Your readings/explanations have been really helpful! Also, I've found out the expression "naps in the back" on the UrbanDic (but again it seems to be just one possibility).....Thanks for Mullen's website!!

1. Naps 11 up, 5 down

Having peas in your head; buckshots
The inability for hair to be penetrated by combs
Thia has naps in the back of her head.
By Sheldon Nov 20, 2003

 

I didn't know this saying. Given the information in the interview I posted the link to, I'd say you're spot on.

Orange Blossom