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old hand
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old hand
Joined: Nov 2000
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In my grammar schooling, my teachers were adamant about the impermissibility of the use of the word "kid" in written English to mean anything other than a young goat. We were free to use it orally in the schoolyard but one risked severe punishment if used in an essay or story. This describes the 1950's.
I wish I could remember the statement by Oliver Wendell Holmes, ca. 1920, wherein he stated something to the effect that a word is akin to a cut gemstone, now reflecting one meaning, now another, depending on the light of context through which it is viewed. We all have some pet peeves regarding words seen in an "inappropriate" light. Mine is the term, "gay." To me it will always mean "cheerful," "blithe," "merry," and never homosexual. I seem, however, to be the only one in the world who's still holding out!
Jazzoctopus, if you're reading this, comment, please, on the possible link between "kinder" in German and "kid" in English.
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Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
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There is a quite wonderful old English table grace which includes the petition "Give us gay and grateful hearts." I have used this grace on a number of occasions where it is met with snickers. Sad.
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Joined: Jul 2000
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old hand
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old hand
Joined: Jul 2000
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Jazzoctopus, if you're reading this, comment, please, on the possible link between "kinder" in German and "kid" in English.
Hmm. . . I can't profess to be an expert at the relationships between German and English, but I can try to help.
In German, child is "das Kind", which, because of the language similarities, could feasibly be linked to both child and kid. Perhaps "kid" started being used to refer to children when the US began using Kindergartens.
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Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Dec 2000
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Joined: Nov 2000
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old hand
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old hand
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 819 |
Give us gay and grateful hearts." I have used
this grace on a number of occasions where it is met with snickers. Sad.
I think of Dylan Thomas' poem, "Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night," wherein the word is powerfully used, but, as you mentioned, met with snickers by young readers. Thus am I no longer gay, but morose and curmudgeonly.
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Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 2,788 |
I no longer gay, but morose and curmudgeonly
Being morose is a bad thing. Being curmudgeonly is a great privilege attained by those who have lived long enough to form opinions predicated on advanced intelligence fueled by the wisdom of considering and reconsidering many issues. It is therefor a good thing ... one curmudgeon to another.
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Pooh-Bah
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Pooh-Bah
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 1,773 |
A pessimist is one who looks at the world through morose colored glasses.
-- unattributed quote because I forget who said it.
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journeyman
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OP
journeyman
Joined: Feb 2001
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I actually said "kids" today in a conversation...guess what... (with your chiding I had to try) I only flinched a little bit! I may come down off the mountain! Thanks to you all!
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old hand
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old hand
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In reply to:
There is a quite wonderful old English table grace which includes the petition "Give us gay and grateful hearts." I have used this grace on a number of occasions where it is met with snickers. Sad.
Queer is another fine word that's gone the same way, Father Steve. While I'm fond of the Carrollian (Hi Max!) synonym "curious", sometimes things are just so surreal they call for "queer".
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Pooh-Bah
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Pooh-Bah
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Personally, in this context, I mourn for "Sunday's Child" - - -
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