Exqueese Me?

    I guess you'd call it "slanguage."  In my lifetime I've been exposed to generational changes in the "American" English language. From the 50's daddio "beatnicks," to the 60's "hoods," Flower Power language of the "Hippies," during the 70's, gag me with a Val of the 80's, Jim Carrey's slaughtered slang of the 90's and finally, computerized slang of the new millenium lol.
    During the 50's, the "beatniks" would sit around "coffee houses" in Greenwich Village smoking, drinking coffee, and being entertained by fellow beatniks who read their poetry to the others or would be singing folk music while strumming acoustic guitars.  After they were finished, the audience would snap their fingers instead of clapping.  They wore mostly black, and most wore a black beret.  Their hair was always just long enough to be in  severe need of a haircut, and most men had "goaties." (I stand corrected by Deek Deekster, thank you!) The women all had long hair parted in the middle.
    Now why do those descriptions sound familiar??  BECAUSE there is nothing new under the sun.  Life is one generation to another with everyone trying to get it right. 

Comments

[Deek Deekster]

it's "goaties" - as in, like a GOAT - which coincidentally was how they smelled as well as looked. You forgot to mention that they rejected capitalist hegemony and dodged the draft for Nam. Nothing new there either huh!

[Steve]

Hmmm, I don't think my 87-year-old grandmother and 86-year-old grandfather would agree with this statement. To them, today's kids (i.e. anyone younger than 60) don't understand what it's like to live by eating the dirt under your fingernails, or how to trek through two feet of snow to school everyday (even during the summer!).

Heck, I'm 65 years younger than them and I still don't agree!

-Steve
Games are for Children
http://www.shoemakervillage.org/games

[Steve]

Hmmm, I don't think my 87-year-old grandmother and 86-year-old grandfather would agree with this statement. To them, today's kids (i.e. anyone younger than 60) don't understand what it's like to live by eating the dirt under your fingernails, or how to trek through two feet of snow to school everyday (even during the summer!).

Heck, I'm 65 years younger than them and I still don't agree!

-Steve
Games are for Children
http://www.shoemakervillage.org/games