A strong isoscalar dipole resonance is known to be excited in a variety of nuclei, including isospin symmetric ones, at approximately 6 − 7 MeV. A series of theoretical studies summarized here and accumulating experimental evidence support an interpretation of the above dipole resonance as an elementary surface vibration. Obviously, such a mode is potentially as interesting as any collective excitation for a variety of reasons. In addition, though, it was found to account for the observed isoscalar segment of pygmy dipole strength. As discussed in this brief survey, this has important implications for pygmy-strength interpretations and searches for genuine neutron-skin oscillations.