Terms Which Have Disappeared

[tonyb]

^^^^^
People who pay closer attention to such matters would tell us that “Chesterfield” is specific style of couch, like this one …

I hear they’re not the most comfortable. I have what is sometimes called a “tuxedo” sofa, which is distinguished by the arms and back being the same height, a la a Chesterfield, but the tops of the arms and back are flat, not rolled, and the upholstery isn’t tufted. It isn’t the most comfortable, either. And even that definition is subject to debate. I’ve seen styles that don’t meet all those criteria called tuxedo sofas.

 

[KILO NOVEMBER]

Here's a more recent one. Can most persons under age 50 explain the origin of "the flip side"?

 

[LizzieMaine]

Most of the under 50s I know are very much into "vinyls," which is a term that makes my skin crawl, so I'd suspect that even if they haven't heard the term they could figure it out pretty quick.

Now if only the term "vinyls" would disappeasr in my lifetime. Besides, I only have "shellacs."

 

[GHT]

Here's a more recent one. Can most persons under age 50 explain the origin of "the flip side"?

Whilst those under 50's are working that out can any of them explain how to: "Roll down a window?"

 

[Trenchfriend]

"horseplay"

 

[HudsonHawk]

Most of the under 50s I know are very much into "vinyls," which is a term that makes my skin crawl, so I'd suspect that even if they haven't heard the term they could figure it out pretty quick.

Now if only the term "vinyls" would disappeasr in my lifetime. Besides, I only have "shellacs."

As an over 50 vinyl enthusiast, referring to records as “vinyls” makes my skin crawl as well. But I’m somewhat comforted that the kids are actually interested in vinyl records. It’s renewed popularity has dramatically increased the availability of both records and gear, though it’s driven up the price of vintage gear to ridiculous levels. Not to mention it’s nice to see people investing the time and patience the deliberate nature of records requires. You have to slow down and really want to listen, and that’s a positive trend, in my always humble opinion.

 

[Zombie_61]

Most of the under 50s I know are very much into "vinyls," which is a term that makes my skin crawl...

My guess is that this is due to the obsession among the younger crowds with constantly taking photos of themselves. Calling something an "album" would likely draw their minds towards a "photo album" (on their computer, laptop, notebook, phone, or whatever electronic device is in favor these days) rather than a "record album", especially since most of them might not have ever seen an "LP". Or a "45" for that matter.

 

[tonyb]

Most of the under 50s I know are very much into "vinyls," which is a term that makes my skin crawl, so I'd suspect that even if they haven't heard the term they could figure it out pretty quick.

Now if only the term "vinyls" would disappeasr in my lifetime. Besides, I only have "shellacs."

At the annual Vintage Voltage Show, where vendors sell old hi-fi gear, mostly, was a fellow peddling old record albums. His sign said something like “LPs, $5 each, or $10 if you call them ‘vinyls.’”

 

[Fading Fast]

I thought this would kind of fit here.

While the word "burlesque" is slowly disappearing, when it is said today, it's pronounced as "burr -lesk," but when I hear it pronounced in movies from the '30s - '50s, it's often said as "bur-lee-kyoo."

Anyone have any idea how / why the pronunciation evolved as it did?

 

[Monte]

I thought this would kind of fit here.

While the word "burlesque" is slowly disappearing, when it is said today, it's pronounced as "burr -lesk," but when I hear it pronounced in movies from the '30s - '50s, it's often said as "bur-lee-kyoo."

Anyone have any idea how / why the pronunciation evolved as it did?

I don't know. The latter seems to be a bad attempt at pronouncing a word you don't know how to sound out. Like niche is: neesh, not nitch.

 

[LizzieMaine]

"Burlycue" was sort of insider slang, used by performers and theatre people, which made its way into the outsie world by means of the show biz press. Walter Winchell was particularly instrumental in spreading it.

It was primarily just a humorous shortening of the word BURLEsQue.

I have a good friend who did traditional burlesque in the 90s-00s, and that pronunciation was not widely used by that time. They called what they did "New Burlesque" to contrast what they did from the modern stripper-pole stuff.

 

[Trenchfriend]

Can anyone please tell me, what "Fishel bread" ist? It's mentioned in my actual novel. 50s, Pennsylvania.

 

[Fading Fast]

Can anyone please tell me, what "Fishel bread" ist? It's mentioned in my actual novel. 50s, Pennsylvania.

I didn't know, but I Google "Fishel bread" and got several good answers. The quick and dirty is that Fishel was a large wholesale bakery in the area that sold its bread directly and through grocery and other stores. Its seems its bread was quite popular.

 

[Trenchfriend]

I didn't know, but I Google "Fishel bread" and got several good answers. The quick and dirty is that Fishel was a large wholesale bakery in the area that sold its bread directly and through grocery and other stores. Its seems its bread was quite popular.

Funnily, I could not find anything on Bing, but yeah, Google gave some output. Seemingly J.B. Fishel's, 1501 W. King Street, PA, which was finally shut down in 1967.

 

[Trenchfriend]

No joke, I never heared of the "ARRIFLEX" cameras, before!

 

[tonyb]

Whilst those under 50's are working that out can any of them explain how to: "Roll down a window?"

We still “dial” phone numbers on devices without dials.

 

[tonyb]

“Marital aids”

No, not relationship counselors.

It was a euphemistic reference to devices that typically took D cell batteries.

 

[tonyb]

I don't know. The latter seems to be a bad attempt at pronouncing a word you don't know how to sound out. Like niche is: neesh, not nitch.

Here in the trailer park it’s pronounced “nitch.”

That thing you put flowers in? We call it a “vase,” pronounced with a long “a,” rhyming with “face,” and not “vahz.”

 

[tonyb]

…
I have a good friend who did traditional burlesque in the 90s-00s, and that pronunciation was not widely used by that time. They called what they did "New Burlesque" to contrast what they did from the modern stripper-pole stuff.

I’ve known a couple of women who were involved in burlesque. They are both quite comely and neither comes across as “loose” or trashy, but they of course knew that sex appeal was their stock in trade. The older of the two (she’s about 60 now, but it was about 15 years ago that she was part of the burlesque company) was what I learned was called a “stage bunny,” which is the woman who retrieves the garments the main performers leave on the stage and teases the audience with risqué asides. The younger woman has kind of fallen off the radar. I didn’t know her well, but I knew her and liked her and she gave no indication the sentiment wasn’t mutual. None of our common acquaintances have seen or heard from her in three or four years now. I knew she went to test the waters of the San Francisco Bay. I hope she found happiness and satisfaction, wherever she landed.

I knew another young woman, going back nearly 40 years now, who stripped at an “adult” entertainment emporium in Seattle called The Amusement Center. It’s best not to go into detail about what all occurred there, so just let it suffice to note that they bought cleaning supplies by the case.

That young woman came from an upper middle class family, respected operators of a maritime supply company. She was indeed cute and sexy, and she was genuinely nice to just about everyone. (She was a good friend’s girlfriend.) But she was going through her slumming phase, first as a taxicab driver and then as a stripper. (I had known a few young women who came from similar circumstances who also took their walks on the wild side. I made the mistake, as a young fellow, of getting romantically involved with a couple of such young women. The relationships ended when the romance of the street wore thin and/or their families back home pressured them to get into a grad program while they were still under 30.) The woman who became a stripper also became a heroin addict. She died of an overdose.