St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1884-07-19
Slang.

The use OF slang is rapidly 1ncreas-
ing. 1t is no longer classed among the
imported curiosities, but has taken
such firm hold of us that the original
breeders across the ocean speak of it as
peculiarly American. Its use is so gen.
eral that the persons who do not use it
arc rare exceptions. 1t has even
ascended into the pulpit and falls from
the lips of many ministers with strange
and often startling incongruity.
Amongst men it is depIorably common.
but since they claim the privilege of
practicing every vice and carry the
privilege to the extreme limit before so
ciety closes its accommodating doors
against them, it is hardly to be assumed
that they will pay the slightest atten-
tion to protest of any sort. My re-
marks. therefore, are intended more
particularly for women, for only
through them is there any hopes of
striking at and curing the vicious hab-
its of the privileged class.
OF course we know that while nearly
all people can talk, few talk brilliantly.
But there is no reason why every woman
should not talk sensibly and agreeably,
and any one sensible and pleasant in
the expression of her ideas and opinions
can win q popularity that no mere
laughing beauty of face or seductive
grace of form can wrest from her.
Slang is defined as ..low, vulgar. un-
meaning language" yet it is asserted
by some that it has become almost
classical. since classicism sanctions it.
Classic means anything Of the first
class or rank A classic author is one
whose style is pure, correct, and refined
and as no such person could possibly
be guilty of using slang, however ex-
pressive, l do not believe it can ever
become acceptable to people of refine
ment and education. In a new cOun-
try where educational advantages are
not numerous or easily available, there
is some excuse for slang, but in the
towns and cities, in the midst of prog
ress and wealth, it is ineXcusable. We
are now old enough to have become
elegant, and are far too intelligent to
use it because it is English or foreign.
The roSiest and most tempting lips fade
and grow coarse and repulsive with the
slang that falls from them. 1t is like
the toads and lizards that fell from the
lips of the selfish girl in the old fairy
story.
When we hear slang used by a young
boy, it is sometimes amusing, however
deplorable. We tolerate it. along with
MANY other Objectionable things in men,
but in women it is absolutely disgusting.
1t is not the monopoly of women whose
conduct banishes them from what is
called good society,"" but it is used by
women having high social position, and
whose very influence should be used to
the fullest against everything that de-
tracts from womanly dignity and sweet
ness. A few days ago l heard a very
charming-in appearance-wOman say
to her florist: '.Have you any Jacks
to-day" l soon began to comprehend
dimly that she meant ''Jacquemenot
roses" l spoke of it afterwards. and
was cody informed that Everybody
calls them Jacks,
Many words and phrases. proper in
themselves, and in every day use, have
been made to rank in the dictionary of
slang BY some coarse and foolish freak
or attempt at humor. Of these we do
not speak, for even custom shall not
make them slang. But assuredly there
are thousands of words in the English
language that have no legitimate right
there. It is serious mistake on the
part of photographers to admit them
to fellowship with words of known and
legitimate origin, since any word may
be perverted and made to answer a
wrong purpose. An easy, graceful and
refined speech is absolutely necessary.
Good breeding and slang are two things
utterly contradictory in their very ma
lures, and combine about as readily as
water and oil. l wish had the power
to induce women to use only the Ian
guage of a pure mind and heart, then
slang would be abandoned.-Cleceland
Leader.