Aria asked me what twerking was. I replied that I had no
idea, and I truly don’t. And not only that, but I have no interest to learn
what it is. Zero. Zip. Zilch.
It got me thinking about all the new words being added to the
dictionary. Here are a smattering of newly recognized words from 2013:
• apols, pl. n. (informal): apologies.
• BYOD, n.: abbreviation of ‘bring your own device’: the
practice of allowing the employees of an organization to use their own
computers, smartphones, or other devices for work purposes.
• derp, exclam. & n. (informal): (used as a
substitute for) speech regarded as meaningless or stupid, or to comment on a
foolish or stupid action.’
• food baby, n.: a protruding stomach caused by eating a
large quantity of food and supposedly resembling that of a woman in the early
stages of pregnancy.
• grats, pl. n. (informal): congratulations. • guac, n.:
guacamole
• jorts, pl. n.: denim shorts.
• twerk, v.: dance to popular music in a sexually
provocative manner involving thrusting hip movements and a low, squatting
stance.
• vom, v. & n. (informal): (be) sick; vomit.
Sadly, I now know what twerking is, and I still don’t care.
Do you sense a theme in the above list? We are evolving into a lazy, abbreviating,
sex-obsessed populace.
I was reflecting on how beautiful language used to be.
Speeches were awe-inspiring when given by leaders. The Gettysburg Address was
incredibly short, delivered in just over two minutes in 1863 and yet we all
know, “Four score and seven years ago our fathers
brought forth on this continent a new nation, conceived in liberty, and
dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal.”
which was Lincoln’s reference to the Declaration of Independence. He didn’t
just say “So in 1773…”.
Movies had vernacular that required contemplation. Watch A
Philadelphia Story. Fall in love with Katherine Hepburn. It’s ok – she’s worth
the fall. Please note the men aren’t self-effacing fools either. Cary and Jimmy
both hold their own against her.
Songs had long, slow, musical introductions that lasted
minutes before a word was sung. Louis Armstrong playing the trumpet. Me not
caring a wink if singing would happen or if the jazz would just continue to
drip from my finger tips. When the words came, they embodied romance. Heart thumping - wow you see into the deep dark chocolate corners of my soul and know just what I need - romance.
We used our words. We used them well. Words had value. Words
were prized.
If I could add words to the dictionary, they would be words
of love. “Love” is such an overused term, and it has so many meanings, the
value is lost in the frequent flyer miles it receives.
The ancient Greeks had four to six words for love, depending
whom you ask.
Eros: Sexual passion.
Philia: Friendship.
Ludus: Playful love.
Agape: Love for everyone.
Pragma: Longstanding love.
Philautia: Love of self.
For me, love has been
spiritual, practical, physical, sexual, maternal, intellectual, emotional, primal,
unrequited, enduring, unconditional, brief, adoring, my everything.
And yet we have this
one little four-lettered word to express that which I believe is at the center
of it all. Our reason for being.
What feelings,
experiences, beliefs can you not fully express because your language inhibits
you? What word would please you as it rolled from your tongue across your lips?
Surely we aren’t complete as a society now that “twerking” is here to stay?
OMG.
Surely we aren’t complete as a society now that “twerking” is here to stay?
OMG.
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