Ch-ch-ch-changes
George Carlin once did a bit on how the English language has evolved over time. While I give Carlin credit for pointing this out, it must be stated that every language must evolve, or it will die.
But George noticed a phenomena that has occurred steadily since about the end of the second World War: American English is getting softer.
What do I mean by that? I mean that in the last 60 or so years, neutral words and clutter have been replacing perfectly useful terms in order to make something sound more important, or to soften the impact of the original phrase. In both cases, the language has become so overbearing, so bureaucratic, so loaded with unnecessary syllables that most people today find it difficult to communicate any idea or thought without having their words be so...well, wordy.
In some cases, the original meaning has been completely replaced and come to stand for something else. This is especially true with politics, where every Democrat is now seen as a radical liberal, and every Republican now seen as a radical conservative.
And you thought English was a difficult language before!
Here are a few examples I've thought up. Feel free to write back if you know of any more.
Voicemail = Automated Voice Messaging Center
Inmates = Clients of the correctional institution
Blacks = African Americans (regardless of whether or not they're African, or American)
Whites = Caucasian (regardless of whether they're actually from the Caucus region or not)
Mexicans = Hispanics
Orientals = People of the South Pacific
Democrats = Liberals
Moderates = Republicans
Republicans = Conservatives
Crazy People = Victims of mental/emotional/psychological/physical abuse
mp3 players = iPod
nukes = Weapons of Mass Destruction
Relief Pitcher = Middle Reliever, Setup Man, and/or Closer
Tollbooths = Toll Plazas
Rest Stop = Service Plaza
Fat People = Horizontally challenged OR those suffering from a thyroid disorder
Handicapped = Specially Able persons
Jet-skis or Boats = Personal Watercraft Vehicles
Used Cars = Certified Preowned Vehicles
Interstate = Highway System
Creationism = Viable theory on the beginnings of human life
Stereo System = Home Entertainment Center
And pity the man who forgets the meaning of ANY of these terms, or hasn't brushed up on his euphemisms lately. He'll be chastised and labeled a racist, a moron, or, worst of all, a fossil.
Or should I say a culturally insensitive person, a mentally challenged individual, or an elderly gentleman?
But George noticed a phenomena that has occurred steadily since about the end of the second World War: American English is getting softer.
What do I mean by that? I mean that in the last 60 or so years, neutral words and clutter have been replacing perfectly useful terms in order to make something sound more important, or to soften the impact of the original phrase. In both cases, the language has become so overbearing, so bureaucratic, so loaded with unnecessary syllables that most people today find it difficult to communicate any idea or thought without having their words be so...well, wordy.
In some cases, the original meaning has been completely replaced and come to stand for something else. This is especially true with politics, where every Democrat is now seen as a radical liberal, and every Republican now seen as a radical conservative.
And you thought English was a difficult language before!
Here are a few examples I've thought up. Feel free to write back if you know of any more.
Voicemail = Automated Voice Messaging Center
Inmates = Clients of the correctional institution
Blacks = African Americans (regardless of whether or not they're African, or American)
Whites = Caucasian (regardless of whether they're actually from the Caucus region or not)
Mexicans = Hispanics
Orientals = People of the South Pacific
Democrats = Liberals
Moderates = Republicans
Republicans = Conservatives
Crazy People = Victims of mental/emotional/psychological/physical abuse
mp3 players = iPod
nukes = Weapons of Mass Destruction
Relief Pitcher = Middle Reliever, Setup Man, and/or Closer
Tollbooths = Toll Plazas
Rest Stop = Service Plaza
Fat People = Horizontally challenged OR those suffering from a thyroid disorder
Handicapped = Specially Able persons
Jet-skis or Boats = Personal Watercraft Vehicles
Used Cars = Certified Preowned Vehicles
Interstate = Highway System
Creationism = Viable theory on the beginnings of human life
Stereo System = Home Entertainment Center
And pity the man who forgets the meaning of ANY of these terms, or hasn't brushed up on his euphemisms lately. He'll be chastised and labeled a racist, a moron, or, worst of all, a fossil.
Or should I say a culturally insensitive person, a mentally challenged individual, or an elderly gentleman?