I just posted a brand new episode of the PopCast Yo-Yo Vlog thatās all about āSkin The Gerbilā. I talk about the trickās history, share some tips, and try to dive into the idea of alpha style flow when combining trick elements.
Iāve been wanting to do this particular video for a while now. With the support of my Patreon sponsors, I was able to work with a Noel Von Joo (camera and lighting) and Clifton B (editing). I love how this turned out.
this was an awesome popcast @DocPop!! loved learning a little bit more about the name too, thats really cool that the name stuck even after evolving into a staple yoyo trick.
I remember the term āalphaā from the sector Y days. Glad you still use it, yo-yo specific. I donāt think is gets much usuage, but maybe it will come back.
The history of the name is interesting. Having learned to yoyo before the 90ās boom, I had seen several books that included āSkin the Catā. I didnāt hear it called āTidal Waveā until I got back into the hobby in 2016. So āSkin the Gerbilā didnāt seem that strange to me, it was just another step in the abstractification of yoyo trick names. Most ātraditionalā tricks were named based on how their form resembled something in the world, but it seems like as the tricks got more complicated and abstract, the names became more and more detached from the form.
I didnt know you made that trick 
Great video @DocPop, as always. I think it is time for me to learn this. But yes, I think I will just call it Gerbil. The original name makes me cringe. Lol
I remember a while ago this came up and my wife said āwhy would he call it that? Thatās terrible!ā and I was like āugggghhhh, I donāt knowā. So now I know! Haha
Iāll admit that there was a time I would have fought against people calling it āGerbilā. I realize I was dumb then and Iām totally okay with whatever people want to call it now. I still call it Skin The Gerbil out of habit, but Iām trying to change.
Gotta repost the song too 
skin the gerbil
With the special effects, damn!
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Hereās a page from Helane Zeigerās āWorld On A Stringā
This was sick. @DocPop is the flowmaster.
The Matrix (as mentioned in the vid) was the first trick I really aspired to do and I didnāt realize (or forgot) who made it.
And of course the Gerbil is a hands down classic.
You should be able to download it here Stream the Skin The Gerbil theme song by Doctor Popular | Listen online for free on SoundCloud
Skin the Cat referred to a Gymnastics trick that was popular for every kid who ever had the privilege of playing on a playground with monkey bars. You could do it 2 ways, hence the saying āthereās more than one way to skin a catā. The yoyo trick evoked the motion of the Gymnastics trick.
I find it amusing that such a thing would elicit any negativity, but am very happy that it spawned a great trick. Thanks.
Great video. Probably my favorite all time trick! One of the reasons I got a yoyo was to learn it and the name was the best ever.
Reminds me of the old classic Joe Cartoon, Gerbil in a Microwave. Being a flash designer and programmer since 1999 itās crazy its obsolete now. 
No need for low bandwidth vector graphics these days.
Adding the little pops after the miss and double on is fun! Thanks!
