I Guess I Need a New Dictionary
It is more or less commonly accepted that words have meaning. While that is true, I’ve lived long enough to know that the meanings of words and phrases change over time. Years ago, as people watched The Flintstones and heard the phrase in the theme song about “a gay old time,” it most certainly did not mean then what it means in some circles today.
I’ve been doing some thinking about other words and phrases that have changed during my lifetime. Some of what follows is of very minimal importance. There may just be a mild interest.
On the other hand, some of what follows indicates that something besides vocabulary is changing. There are very important indicators of significant societal changes.
With all of that said and in no particular order, here are some of the things I’ve thought of. Maybe you can add your own ideas.
- cool – This word used to refer to temperature. It now also applies to something desirable, something a person agrees with, etc.
- hot – This also used to refer to temperature, but now also applies to popularity, sexuality, and a host of other things.
- hangin’ out – I can still remember my mother hanging our clothes on a clothesline on Mondays (the official wash day) after washing them in the only washing machine she ever really trusted (a ringer machine). She didn’t have much time during those days to “hang out” either by herself or with friends.
- male/female – During my lifetime these designations have transitioned (sorry – I couldn’t help myself). First, there is the seeming growing popularity of surgical procedures. Even more recently, gender is now said to be a matter of personal preference.
- truth – We are told today that there is no such thing as objective truth. There is only “my truth,” “your truth,” “our truth,” “their truth,” etc.
- fair – Actually, this “new” definition has been around quite a while. It is not uncommon for people to equate fairness with getting their way.
- diversity – It seems at least to me that those who talk the most about diversity are demanding acceptance for people like them while they refuse to accept people who are not like them. I’m not convinced that this truly qualifies as diversity.
- open-minded – Have you ever tried to express an opinion that differs with the opinion of a person who “preaches” open-mindedness? My experience suggests that it very rarely goes well.
- acceptance – This is a “first cousin” to open-minded. In my experience, this is very often a one-way street. Those who promote acceptance seem to be saying, “I and others like me must be accepted, but I don’t have to accept you and others like you.”
- walk back – This used to refer to what feet did. Now it seems to refer to what mouths do. In the old days, people admitted that they said something wrong and corrected it. Now people (especially politicians) “walk back” previous statements.
- misspoke – This is somewhat related to “walk back.” It is used to cover everything from an honest mistake to outright lying.
- winners and losers – These designations still exist, but, with the growing popularity of “participation trophies,” they are losing their significance.
- decommit – When I first started hearing about young athletes who were “decommitting” from universities they had earlier agreed to attend, it sounded strange. I finally figured out that it was a new way of saying “going back on your word” or “not meaning what you said.” I also figured out that the practice has been going on for a long time and is not limited to college sports. Spouses, parents, employers, employees, friends, and others have been doing it for years.
- honesty – I heard something recently that does not change the actual meaning of this now almost outdated word, but I did hear something about its use that I thought was interesting. It was suggested that honesty could be used as a tool in negotiations.
Again, you may have your own list. These are just a few that came to mind that I thought were “the cat’s meow” or the “bee’s knees.” (And the people who were older than me thought that some of our expressions were weird!!)
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AUTHOR: Jim Faughn
