Dec
15
WORDS That Used To Be Scarce
Filed Under (Uncategorized) by curi0u5-th0ught5 on 15-12-2008
When people who don’t want to look prissy argue against the promiscuous use of profanity, they always state the case as follows: It’s not that they mind strong language, of course. It certainly isn’t that they are shocked by it-nothing of that sort, don’t be silly. It’s only that constant use of those standard curse words demonstrates a povery of language skills. All that swearing is terrible because it just goes to show that people don’t know how to express themselves forcefully. This implies that if only the swearers would make more of an effort, they could think of all kinds of vivid and imaginitive ways to insult the world and offend everyone in it. It seems to her that people who go around cursing do express their feelings rather sucessfully. Not that one is defending bad language. Goodness, no. One is just not afraid to say that the reason for objection to it is that it is plain nasty. If even Miss Manner has to listen to so much bad language that she can no longer manage to raise an eyebrow over words that used to make nice people faint dead away, something has decidedly gone wrong. This certainly kills the argument, made by people who curse for socially minded reasons, that strong words are needed to shock people out of their complacency. If swear words were reserved for extremes of fury and alarm, they would regain their shock value. The argument that vulgarity should be acceptable because it is the authentic language of ppor people or of minorities is shocking. One can hardly think of anything more patronizing and cruel than the declaration that the street talk should be the sole discourse of the poor, who would be violating their culture to learn the more sophisticated talking going on above the streets, where people make good money. Or that the ability to practice formal speech is more suitable to one race than another, for whom it would not be “authentic”. It is acknowldeged that different venues, group and occasions require different levels of talk, and what is offensive in some groups maybe considered comradely in others. It is therefore necessary to be able to speak in different ways, if one wants admission to more than one type of work or social life. It is vicious to encourage others, especially children, to avoid acquiring the keys to such opportunities.
When All Else Fails-The Insult
It is never good manners to insult another person. But if you are going to do it, please do so with grave and style. Tradition, gossip, and literature present us with some excellent examples that may help you in such circumstances. The following coversation is reputed to have taken place between Lady Astor and Winston Churchill:“If you were my husband, Winston, I sohuld flavor your coffee with poison.” “If you were my wife, I should drink it.” Or consider the story if a Louisiiana legislator who, having been insulted by a colleague, rose to say: “I am reminded that the Emperor Caligula once sent his horse to represent him in the Roman Senate. Caligula was more fortunate than my learned colleague’s constituents. At least he was represented by the whole horse.” Another incident involved Dorothy Parker. someone stepped aside to allow her to pass, saying: “Age before beauty.” She swept past, saying: “Pearls before swine.” Andrew Lloyd wondered aloud why people took an instant dislike to him. “It saves time,” responded Alan Jay Lerner. That is it for now..
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