This year Americanists, feminists, feminist Americanists, and everyone between and beyond gathered in downtown Atlanta for the annual meetings of both the American Studies Association and National Women’s Studies Association. The conferences may have been separated by a few hilly blocks, but overlapping participants and shared after-parties created much conference kinship. In this special edition of Shoptalk, we overheard at both meetings. Can you guess which gem was heard at which conference?
1. “I have feminist bingo ready to go. So far I’ve gotten ‘heteropatriarchy.’”
2. “There are counterpublics, then there are countercounterpublics.”
3. “Why does this app suck? Where are the digital humanities when you need it?”
4. “Can we stop mowing down our elders for selfies?”
5. Person 1: “Want to get drinks?”
Person 2: “I still have to write my paper.”
Person 1: “OK, I’ll catch you later.”
Person 2: “Oh, I’m still coming.”
6. “I really can’t wait to afford better capes.”
7. “Sorry to be late, I was close reading a statue.”
8. Person 1: “There’s an Escape Room around the corner if you want to go.”
Person 2: “This entire conference is an Escape Room.”
9. “I have a rain shower head. I love staying in the conference hotel!”
10. “I’m following the lesbians to the book party.”
11. Person 1: “I’m here for NWSA.”
Person 2: “Yaaas, I’m also here for the end of the USA!”
12. Person 1: “I feel like I haven’t gone to enough.”
Person 2: “What have you gone to?”
Person 1: “Nothing.”
13. Person 1: “Why are the books $5 less at NWSA?”
Person 2: “The gender wage gap.”
14. Person 1: “How is the conference?”
Person 2: “Well, there aren’t snacks.”
15. “In LA, everyone’s a witch.”
16. “I’ve only seen one undercut so far.”
17. “The future of American Studies is still Moby-Dick.”
Answers: 1. NWSA; 2. NWSA; 3. ASA; 4. NWSA; 5. ASA; 6. NWSA; 7. ASA; 8. ASA; 9. ASA; 10. ASA; 11. NWSA; 12. ASA; 13. ASA; 14. NWSA; 15. ASA; 16. NWSA; 17. ASA
Many thanks to Rachel Corbman, SaraEllen Strongman, and Omari Weekes for their overhearing assistance! 
