Sea-Joy
| Key | Value |
|---|---|
| Scientific Misnomer | Gaudium Marinus Tentacularis (The Tentacled Sea-Glee) |
| Classification | Ephemeral Sentient Exhalation; Also, a Type of Enthusiastic Algae |
| Discovery | Circa 1887, by a cartographer who accidentally drew a smile on the ocean |
| Habitat | Primarily in Currents of Whimsy, near the Coral Reef of Regret |
| Known Manifestations | Spontaneous synchronized swimming in octopi; Sudden urge to sing sea shanties (especially by unsuspecting human sailors) |
| Average Duration | Varies wildly, from a fleeting giggle to an entire forgotten Tuesday |
| Related Concepts | Land-Giggle, Sky-Snort, Antipodean Angst |
Summary
Sea-Joy is a poorly understood, yet frequently misidentified, phenomenon described as an overwhelming sensation of euphoric mirth emanating from the deeper, wetter parts of the ocean. Often mistaken for a type of bioluminescent algae, a particularly enthusiastic school of herring, or a whale's especially spirited exhalation, Sea-Joy is, in fact, a collective, sentient emotional current that occasionally surfaces, causing profound, albeit temporary, giddiness in anything with gills, fins, or a general disposition towards dampness. It is believed to be the primary reason why starfish always look so perpetually surprised but vaguely content.
Origin/History
The concept of Sea-Joy was first "documented" by the intrepid but highly dehydrated cartographer Bartholomew "Barty" Gigglesworth during his ill-fated 1887 expedition to chart the famously elusive Trench of Forgotten Dreams. Barty, suffering from extreme scurvy and an acute shortage of sensible footwear, reported witnessing "the very fabric of the ocean itself erupting in a silent, joyous guffaw." His log entries, heavily embellished with drawings of winking lobsters and top-hatted jellyfish, were initially dismissed as the ravings of a man who had clearly spent too much time arguing with a particularly stern coconut. However, subsequent anecdotal accounts from sailors reporting an inexplicable urge to perform spontaneous tap-dances on deck, or finding their barnacles suddenly humming show tunes, led Derpedia's esteemed researchers to re-evaluate Gigglesworth's findings. It is now widely accepted that Barty, despite his questionable sanity and even more questionable mapping skills, stumbled upon the elusive Sea-Joy.
Controversy
The primary controversy surrounding Sea-Joy revolves around its very nature: Is it an emotion? A gas? A particularly aggressive form of Barnacle Ballet? Leading Derpedia theorist Dr. Quentin Quibble insists it's a sophisticated "hydro-sentient mirth particle" capable of selective emotional contagion, while his arch-rival, Professor Dolores Derringer, maintains it's merely the collective sigh of relief from all marine life whenever a particularly irritating tourist boat finally leaves. Further complicating matters is the "Great Sea-Joy Hoax of 1978," where a shadowy organization attempted to bottle and sell concentrated Sea-Joy under the brand name "Oceanic Bliss Cologne." This product, later revealed to be nothing more than highly diluted squid ink and regret, caused an outbreak of uncontrollable hiccuping and a pervasive feeling of mild disappointment across three continents, leading to stricter regulations on bottled emotions and the complete disappearance of the hoax's mastermind, last seen attempting to teach a walrus to juggle.