First, let me be quick to make it perfectly clear that I am not going to suggest that it would be a “good thing” to create a “standardized American English” which would be the only acceptable version of our language. NO, never! I happen to think that the regional variations of our language are not a bad thing (although they CAN make communication more complicated at times). For example, I’m reasonably sure that in differing parts of the country the words; “coke,” “pop," and “soda” are commonly used in reference to the same thing, and that thing is NOT restricted to Coca-Cola©, the trademarked name for a specific product made by a specific company. They are just used generically to refer to soft drinks! That, and many other variations of regional dialect have been around a good while, and I enjoy them. Unlike Henry Higgins, I am fond of our regional dialects and am perfectly happy to encourage them. I consider them not only within the reasonable rights of our various heritages, but entertaining and enjoyable.
HOWEVER, it has come to my attention that there seem to be a good many people who seem to believe that it is (or should be) perfectly acceptable for them to pepper their language with what “back in the day” was considered “inappropriate,” or even downright VULGAR language. I think that this trend is unfortunate and, actually, suggests (at least to me) that the speaker is, at best, somewhat childish, and, perhaps more probably, foolish enough to actually believe that such language somehow makes him/her (NOTE: This behavior does seem to occur more often among males, but women do engage in it, too.) a more powerful, stronger leader, or that it somehow enhances their self-gratifying image of themselves.
If I am being too subtle to be clear, let me put it this way: I’M TIRED OF HAVING TO LISTEN TO SO MANY PEOPLE USING WHAT IS, IN FACT, PROPERLY CALLED VULGAR LANGUAGE SO FREQUENTLY, ESPECIALLY IN PUBLIC SETTINGS! I get little pleasure from politicians, “comedians”, or anyone else, writing and/or speaking to the public using language like s***, f***, son of a *****, a******, etc. Yes, I am fully aware of these (and a good many more) “inappropriate” words) and I will admit that, mostly in occasional times of extreme anger, frustration, or pain, I have even used at least some of them, but I don’t think they enhance my image as a “stronger, better” person.
I would go so far as to suggest that, while I believe such language is inappropriate in most polite conversation, there may be times when (Since most people, are, in fact, aware of its existence.) it might have a useful place in our language. I would suggest, for example, that it would be difficult to present a scene in a play, movie, or work of literature set in certain locales (like one taking place in a military barracks, or a “locker” room, or among the illiterate and uneducated, for example) without at least the occasional use of such language, in order to create a degree of “proper” authenticity. Yes, I am aware that there are locales where such language is fairly commonly used. However, I do not think that it’s particularly necessary to use this sort of language, especially in PUBLIC (mixed-company) settings, just because one thinks that the “old-fashioned rules of “polite” society don’t apply to them, to suggest a level of strong feelings, or in an attempt to create humor.
So, it bothers me a fair amount when I hear this sort of language becoming common in public settings. It really does NOT seem necessary, nor desirable, for example, to speak about the F***ing this, or that, at the family dinner table, or when chatting among friends and family. It certainly doesn’t seem necessary for this to have become the “go-to” modifier for almost everything, for virtually everyone; private citizens, talk show hosts, politicians, you name it. At times, it even appears on “news” broadcasts.
I find this a rather sad development. Like Henry Higgins, the character in My Fair Lady and Pygmalion, I believe that one’s use of language says something about how they think of themselves and, perhaps more importantly, how that behavior affects others opinion of them. To put it as Higgins does in describing Eliza’s use of language: “If you spoke as she does, sir, instead of the way you do — Why, you might be selling flowers, too.” Perhaps our “leaders,” “influencers,” and wannabes should keep that in mind today, as they, generally used to do.
As far as comedians are concerned, to my way of thinking, if they can’t find humor without resorting to vulgarity, perhaps they should go into a different business, or at least confine themselves to “adult" markets. After all, the often outrageous characters of Ralph Kramden, Archie Bunker (and their controversial spin-off colleagues) didn’t actually use obscenities, although one could argue that they were sometimes implied. Still, I think there’s a lot of humor available without obscenity. So, I wish to offer a few examples in this post.
Some words have a variety of meanings, which complicates the issue, however. For example, do you know where the term “Butt” (and its variations) came from? It has NOTHING to do with anatomy, although few people seem to know that. See below:
HOWEVER, it has come to my attention that there seem to be a good many people who seem to believe that it is (or should be) perfectly acceptable for them to pepper their language with what “back in the day” was considered “inappropriate,” or even downright VULGAR language. I think that this trend is unfortunate and, actually, suggests (at least to me) that the speaker is, at best, somewhat childish, and, perhaps more probably, foolish enough to actually believe that such language somehow makes him/her (NOTE: This behavior does seem to occur more often among males, but women do engage in it, too.) a more powerful, stronger leader, or that it somehow enhances their self-gratifying image of themselves.
If I am being too subtle to be clear, let me put it this way: I’M TIRED OF HAVING TO LISTEN TO SO MANY PEOPLE USING WHAT IS, IN FACT, PROPERLY CALLED VULGAR LANGUAGE SO FREQUENTLY, ESPECIALLY IN PUBLIC SETTINGS! I get little pleasure from politicians, “comedians”, or anyone else, writing and/or speaking to the public using language like s***, f***, son of a *****, a******, etc. Yes, I am fully aware of these (and a good many more) “inappropriate” words) and I will admit that, mostly in occasional times of extreme anger, frustration, or pain, I have even used at least some of them, but I don’t think they enhance my image as a “stronger, better” person.
I would go so far as to suggest that, while I believe such language is inappropriate in most polite conversation, there may be times when (Since most people, are, in fact, aware of its existence.) it might have a useful place in our language. I would suggest, for example, that it would be difficult to present a scene in a play, movie, or work of literature set in certain locales (like one taking place in a military barracks, or a “locker” room, or among the illiterate and uneducated, for example) without at least the occasional use of such language, in order to create a degree of “proper” authenticity. Yes, I am aware that there are locales where such language is fairly commonly used. However, I do not think that it’s particularly necessary to use this sort of language, especially in PUBLIC (mixed-company) settings, just because one thinks that the “old-fashioned rules of “polite” society don’t apply to them, to suggest a level of strong feelings, or in an attempt to create humor.
So, it bothers me a fair amount when I hear this sort of language becoming common in public settings. It really does NOT seem necessary, nor desirable, for example, to speak about the F***ing this, or that, at the family dinner table, or when chatting among friends and family. It certainly doesn’t seem necessary for this to have become the “go-to” modifier for almost everything, for virtually everyone; private citizens, talk show hosts, politicians, you name it. At times, it even appears on “news” broadcasts.
I find this a rather sad development. Like Henry Higgins, the character in My Fair Lady and Pygmalion, I believe that one’s use of language says something about how they think of themselves and, perhaps more importantly, how that behavior affects others opinion of them. To put it as Higgins does in describing Eliza’s use of language: “If you spoke as she does, sir, instead of the way you do — Why, you might be selling flowers, too.” Perhaps our “leaders,” “influencers,” and wannabes should keep that in mind today, as they, generally used to do.
As far as comedians are concerned, to my way of thinking, if they can’t find humor without resorting to vulgarity, perhaps they should go into a different business, or at least confine themselves to “adult" markets. After all, the often outrageous characters of Ralph Kramden, Archie Bunker (and their controversial spin-off colleagues) didn’t actually use obscenities, although one could argue that they were sometimes implied. Still, I think there’s a lot of humor available without obscenity. So, I wish to offer a few examples in this post.
Some words have a variety of meanings, which complicates the issue, however. For example, do you know where the term “Butt” (and its variations) came from? It has NOTHING to do with anatomy, although few people seem to know that. See below:
On a different tack, I confess that I enjoy puns, that use of a word to get humor from the fact that it can have more than one meaning. Many people seem to think that “a pun is the lowest form of humor,” but I disagree. I find many (not ALL) puns amusing, as do some others. According to 1 and Done, the Deity might actually be on MY side….
Language humor does NOT require pictures, of course. For example, here’s some purely verbal examples which I found amusing:
English, if you stop to consider it, IS a strange language, even its “rules” are filled with exceptions, or are they “mistakes?” And, sometimes, these oddities show up in strange places, like on the coffee mug shown below:
One could even suggest that English history can be used to create language humor. For example, take this from Frank and Ernest:
Sometimes we take English for granted but, if we examine it, we may wonder about a number of things. Some further examples of this might include:
Since I have TWO degrees from Indiana University, I can’t wrap this up without including THIS bit of language humor from Shoe:
This has been fun. I may have to touch on some more “Language Humor” sometime, but probably not NEXT time…. By the way, I’d love to hear some of your favorite examples of this sort of language humor. You can send them to me by sending a "comment" to this post. I WILL get back to you, but it might take a while. I AM lazy (retired), but I do get around to such things, eventually.
I wish you a pleasant “So long.” See you in a couple of weeks, Meathead.
🖖🏻 LLAP,
Dr. B
Violence is the last refuge of the incompetent. It is the only resort by
which incompetent men can thrive. The bully, the brute, the dictator.
Isaac Asimov
Revenge is always the weak pleasure of a little and narrow mind.
Juvenal (from Satires)
The whole idea of revenge and punishment is a childish day-dream.
Properly speaking there is no such thing as revenge. Revenge is an
act which you want to commit when you are powerless and because
you are powerless: as soon as the sense of impotence is removed,
the desire evaporates also.
George Orwell
Thou shalt not avenge, nor bear any grudge against the children of thy
people, but thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself: I am the LORD.
Leviticus 19:18
I wish you a pleasant “So long.” See you in a couple of weeks, Meathead.
🖖🏻 LLAP,
Dr. B
Violence is the last refuge of the incompetent. It is the only resort by
which incompetent men can thrive. The bully, the brute, the dictator.
Isaac Asimov
Revenge is always the weak pleasure of a little and narrow mind.
Juvenal (from Satires)
The whole idea of revenge and punishment is a childish day-dream.
Properly speaking there is no such thing as revenge. Revenge is an
act which you want to commit when you are powerless and because
you are powerless: as soon as the sense of impotence is removed,
the desire evaporates also.
George Orwell
Thou shalt not avenge, nor bear any grudge against the children of thy
people, but thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself: I am the LORD.
Leviticus 19:18
RSS Feed