Terms Which Have Disappeared

[Stearmen]

Looks like a real donnybrook is a brewing over that broad!

 

[Zombie_61]

...I wonder, though, what women think of the word "perky," you know, like Doris Day used to be...

I've only ever heard the word "perky" used in two contexts.

The first was a somewhat disparaging reference to a younger person (usually female) who was far too happy and energetic for her particular situation--at work first thing in the morning before some people have had enough coffee, for example. "Jeez, do you have to be so perky all of the time?"

The second was during a conversation between my wife and a close female friend in which they were lamenting the effects of gravity on their respective bosoms. I have no first-hand knowledge of the friend's situation in that regard, but I can say with some expertise that my wife's situation is just fine.

Hard as some find it to believe, I don't set out to offend people. And while I am pathologically resistant to self-censorship, I find it just plain ill-mannered to address people in terms they would rather I didn't. (If that makes me PC, oh well, I'm PC.)

So, if broads would rather I not call 'em broads, I won't call 'em broads. But the broads you keep company with sound like kind of broads who don't object to being called broads. Speaking broadly, of course.

Considering the various derogatory terms used by some men to describe women these days, I would think "broad" is pretty tame by comparison.

 

[Stearmen]

He's such a cad!

 

[BlueTrain]

Seeing as how I have never heard anyone use either "broad" or "dame" in referring to women, it would sound almost Elizabethan if it were used.

 

[MisterCairo]

Masher. Or to be completely feudal, blackguard...

 

[LizzieMaine]

Those sorts of terms have all been replaced in the vocabularies of modern young women by the catchall term "D-Bag."

 

[BlueTrain]

All of those terms would have been unheard of and probably unknown in the house I grew up in.

 

[tonyb]

Those sorts of terms have all been replaced in the vocabularies of modern young women by the catchall term "D-Bag."

Out this way I more frequently hear that term used as a derogatory reference to men. Indeed, I suspect there are people who use the term without giving a thought to its original meaning. It's doubtful they even know its original meaning. Some of them, anyway.

It's akin to "sucks" that way. When that term came into popular usage (amongst those I knew) it was part of a two-word phrase which, vulgar as it was, made its own sort of sense. These days I hear a person say, "that just sucks" and I am confident they are giving not a thought to what it once meant.

 

[Upgrade]

And speaking of terms which have disappeared, do kids in the back seat on long trips play "Punch Buggy" anymore?

I remember it was said in Lilo and Stitch. Where an alien found a Volkswagen in Hawaii to toss about, I have no idea.

I also don't seem to find Bromo dispensers in diners anymore.

The last time I recall was on the Carol Burnett Show and The Hudsucker Proxy, both of which were describing greasy-spoon establishments.

 

[Upgrade]

Coffee-klatsch doesn't seemed to be used anymore.

I also suspect that in these days of loose-fitting sweatpants and pullovers, "sweater girl" has a different meaning nowadays.

 

[BlueTrain]

Oh, I don't think it has a different meaning at all. It's just that there aren't any sweater girls now. That is, I haven't seen any. But it's summertime here.

In these latter days of parkways, motorways, Interstate highways and "express lanes" (toll roads), are there still speed traps? And do the less well-off drive rattletraps?

 

[tonyb]

...

In these latter days of parkways, motorways, Interstate highways and "express lanes" (toll roads), are there still speed traps? And do the less well-off drive rattletraps?

Yes, and yes. In the latter case it isn't necessarily a matter of income, although it often is.

 

[Stearmen]

Shoot me another slug in the mug!

 

[Upgrade]

There's a similar phrase in "Java Jive": "slip me a slug from that wonderful mug".

Songs quite often have a unique turn of phrase.

"Across the Alamo" has the line: "Washing their frijoles in Duz and Lux"

"The Glow Worm" has "You got a cute vest-pocket Mazda"

There's a couple more forgotten phrases in songs here.

http://www.throughouthistory.com/?p=2871

That's not even including Cole Porter's "Anything Goes" and "You're the Top".

 

[BlueTrain]

I thought it was "Across the alley from the Alamo."

 

[Upgrade]

Ah yes. My mistake.

 

[BlueTrain]

Across the alley from the Alamo stood a pinto pony and a Navaho...

I never realized that line was in the lyrics but it seems to be. But who ever learns the second verse of anything? (I am Henry the 8th notwithstanding).

 

[vitanola]

Across the alley from the Alamo stood a pinto pony and a Navaho...

I never realized that line was in the lyrics but it seems to be. But who ever learns the second verse of anything? (I am Henry the 8th notwithstanding).

Second verses are important! As are third, if third there be. "Oh thus be it ever when free men shall stand.."

 

[LizzieMaine]

Second verses are important! As are third, if third there be. "Oh thus be it ever when free men shall stand.."

Or "As they stood there hungry, I stood there wondering if
This land was made for you and me?"

(Lines I sang with Pete Seeger at an ad-hoc show in our local high school cafeteria in 1993.)

 

[KILO NOVEMBER]

My grandparents were fond of "conniption". Does anyone still suffer these?