Do Certain Words or Sayings Make You Crazy?

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"Where's the Beef?" "Go ahead, make my day!" Certain words, catch phrases and sayings pass through our societal vocabulary. Eventually they reach the point of saturation.

While they are popular you are “hip” using them but when they’ve run their course and you are still using them you are passé or out of touch. Or even worse, "Not Cool."

What You Say Says A Lot About You

If you are working in a coffee shop for example saying, “thank you” to customers who say “thank you” to you all day long might be a little boring. So if a customer says thank you now your response might be, “no problem.”

Or if there is a complaint you might hear, "Not my problem."

Personally I couldn’t wait for, “sorry about that” to leave but I’m even more excited about that glorious point in time when I no longer hear, “No Problem.”

Old Habits Die Hard

Most of the phrases and words we use are part habit and part defense mechanism. We’ve learned what is acceptable to say and what is not.

We don’t talk to our grandparents, as we would speak to our peers. Communication is hard enough without jargon that only a few understand. But using it is what makes you one of the “cool kids.”

“Word” was such a saying. I’m not even sure what that even means. Danny Glover tried unsuccessfully to use it with his son in the movie, “Lethal Weapon.”

“Word” can be coupled with, “I heard that” and “know what I’m talkin’ about?”

When Did All This Craziness Start?

If you were “bad” that of course meant you were good. We can go all the way back to “23 skiddoo” from the 20s, which means, “let’s go” or “skedaddle.”

People in the 60s were “cats.” And if they were really "with it" they were, “Cool Cats” or “Hip Cats.” Police became the “fuzz,” “five-0,” or “pigs.”

Your boss at work or a person of authority was called, "The Man."

Perhaps you were “86ed” (thrown out) of a bar in your early years. Five dollars bills were once called “fins.” Money was “bread.”

Mob wives in the 30s were “Molls.” Women eventually evolved into such endearing terms as “broads,” “chicks” or “skirts.” Men of course remained “studs.”

If you created a bad situation you, “Made this scene.” If you left the “scene” you, “cut out.”

Asking you if you understand would not be nearly as clear as, “Can you dig it?”

What’s not to understand?

Some Final Thoughts

Well Daddy-o, time for me to split this scene. I have to cruise the main drag then crash in my crib. Catch you on the flip side if you’re down with that. Keep it real.

Don’t worry I got your back. I’m with it.

See ya later alligator, after while crocodile. Word.

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