I just wrapped up reading The Mother Tongue - English and how it got that way by Bill Bryson, and between that and my recent trip to Ashland’s Shakespeare Festival, I am starting to view the English language in a whole new light. Not only is English the most widespread language, it is also the most unwieldy. It draws its roots from countless other languages thus accounting for the blatant spelling and pronunciation discrepancies that confound foreign tongues. The rules of our language are largely disputed and constantly in flux, although not for lack of trying of the part of some important linguistic fellows. One, Noah Webster - who created what became one of the most widely distributed dictionaries, and was largely regarded as a uptight, humorless and staunchy ass (arse if you lived a couple hundred years ago). He also wanted the two ingredients of a bread bowl to be spelled “soop and bred.” Then there was W.C. Minor one of the largest contributers to the Oxford English Dictionary who did all of his work from his residence inside an insane asylum. Obviously cataloging all of the English language is not a task for the socially blessed.
Some fun facts:
Root of O.K.
One of the most common expressions in all the English language and most obvious “Americanism” is O.K.
There are three theories as to its roots. 1. It stands for some important person’s initials such as Indian Chief “Old Keokuk,” or Martin Van Buren’s nickname “Old Kinderhook,” and was stamped as a mark of their approval and thus, quality. 2. It formed from the roots of some English dialect such as the Finnish “oikea” or the Choctaw “okeh” (Woodrow Wilson was a big proponent of this theory). 3. It is a shortened version of the old expression “oll korrect,” spelled by semi-literate President Andrew Jackson. If this is the case it may have a long lost partner in O.W. for “oll wright.”
Swearing
It hard to believe but in 19th century England puppy and cad were risque (a French word from risquer, to risk) but shit (formely scitan, then shite) was acceptable. In most languages one of the biggest insults you can throw at another human being was to directly accuse your target of incest. Hence the tu madre or your mama expression. Cut someone off in traffic in Germany and you may be called a schweinehund (pigdog); aggravate a Finnish lad and he may cry ravintolassa meaning in the restaurant. I would go into the history of the word, f*&% but it is not appropriate here, maybe in another hundred years.
Rhyming
On a final note, the book discussed wordplay and in particular, different forms of rhyme. They gave the example of the Burma-Shave ads of the 1920s that used rhyme to tell quick stories about men using their product (see sample graphic above). Their rhymes were broken up across many freeway billboards so you read one part of the phrase at a time as you drove. An example, “A peach looks good with lots of fuzz, but a man’s no peach and never was.” Or “If wife shuns your fond embrace, don’t shoot the iceman, feel your face.” I love the simplicity, the wit, the rhyme such is a reflection of its time. But seriously I am now trying to think up little rhyming quips for my clients. What rhymes with Sports Rejuvenation with Active MSM?
On Monday, I start a new position as a designer at Staccato Design. Staccato is a highly regarded firm in Portland, and I am thrilled at the opportunity to work with such a talented team! I will now be enjoying a quick commute, lunchtime escapes to the waterfront (when its sunny), and a delightful view of the Hawthorne bridge.
April 25, 2008 at 7:20 pm · Filed under Uncategorized
After eagerly consuming the novel Sometimes a Great Notion (by Eugene resident and bus-painting pioneer, Ken Kesey) and watching the movie, my boyfriend and I were among the first in the door to the Portland Center Stage production of the novel. The play was fantastic and we chose to attend a symposium on the play’s creation the Saturday following the first week of shows. Among the speakers was playwright, Aaron Posner, film director Gus Van Sant, and prankster extraordinaire, Ken Babbs. Babbs was one of the self proclaimed Merry Pranksters who, along with Kesey, journeyed across America in a converted school bus spreading the peace, love, drugs, and rock and roll message of the 60s. Babbs stole the stage more than once because his crazy non-linear stories could not be told from a sitting position. Nonetheless he was an interesting character an interesting message. Plus he has his own Wikipedia article, so he must be cool.
March 24, 2008 at 8:24 pm · Filed under Uncategorized
Another spring hits Oregon, and another non-traditional Easter weekend passes. I paused to honor and admire this ardent display of Easter love on NW Everett. These eggs did not hide tucked away in tall grasses, but were strung from the trees like Christmas lights in all their pastel painted glory.
Fanatic Easter displays aside, this was a weekend of many discoveries.
1. Rose City Rollers
From the rhythmic drumline intro, to the body-slamming crashes on skates, Portland’s roller derby scene is pulsing with energy and dripping with sweat and a dash of mascara. I witnessed the action for the first time on Saturday from the crash zone. These hardcore girls get down and dirty, whipping around and around the track, fighting for position, while keeping their lipstick intact. Quite the spectacle for the uninitiated, and highly recommended.
2. The Albina Green
My boy and I skipped the madness of Easter brunch, instead opting for a cup of Stumptown coffee and a morning of wandering. Our afternoon adventures led us to the Mississippi district with our copy of the newly released Willamette Week Cheap Eats in hand. We found our way to Albina Green, a wonderful restaurant tucked off the road. Advertised as “the working man’s rock restaurant” this funky, musician-centered hideaway served up a slew of organic greens and tasty meats. We chowed on our respective feasts, watching the neighborhood church release a batch of brightly dressed and spirited North Portland residents into the rain.
3. Yael Naim
While I admit that it is rather lame to discover a musical artist via commercial, but thus is the nature of this technologically advanced society in which we live. Yael Naim is the Israeli artist making waves with her whimsical and metallic song, New Soul. I picked up her album on that wandering, aimless, Easter Sunday, and am mesmerized. The songs are in English, Hebrew and French and all have their distinct moods and tone. There is even a cover of Britney Spear’s song, Toxic which takes on a seductive and otherworldly rhythm.
too busy for my own good - bamboo flooring installation and wedding planning festivites (not mine) 1 week ago
getting ready for my fiesta del sol party; unfortunately somebody forgot to invite the sun. 1 day ago
Watching white tuffs of cottonseeds float gracefully in the air until hitting the surface of my pool, already cloudy with their friends boo. 1 week ago
