The San Francisco call., 1897-10-31

tional ances try, is first cousin to the oath.
and both are used by those who mentally re-
semble the man whose use of Intoxicating
drinks has made him forget or underestimate
the attractions of pure water. Slang in sooth. is
a whisky-dis tillatiou OF language 1t is so
strong that it may be taken only very rarely
with impunity. And herein lies the chief dan
ger in its use Not only does the slanguist find
ordinary English tame, but he ends in not
being able 10 find any English at all He
has expressed himself so often in slanguage
that when he really wishes to use another
W ord he discovers that the other word does
not come. And who can blame the word for
standing on its dignity? Like a sighted dam
sci, who has been supplanted by more cap
tivating rival, ii refuses to answer to the beck
and call of its fckle suitor.
Another fatal characteristic of slang is the
very one which at first secures its ADOPTION
namely, its pungency. The same law that
makes quiet colors and shades wear well in
the world of fabrics, has its counterpart in
the world of speech. We tire very speedily of
a startling costume, in high colors, and Just
speedily do we tire of slang, which is start
ling, high-colored speech. The popularity of
slang, from whatever cause, in Weighs against
its ultimate adoption as legal offspring of
language. Popularity generally ends in over
use, and over-use means wearing out and pre-
mature decay II INV WHiCn Is cOntlnQ Q4lIy in
operation in the book and song world as we'll
The deadest books and songs are those whose
popularity has caused Them to be read or sung
into extinction.
Still another reason why slang can never
gain permanent foothold in the language is
its utter lack of dignity. No subject can be
seriously treated in slanguage. Its sole func-
ton is TO tickle by its patness or its grotesoue-
ness. 1t reflects a fugitive iridescence upon
a }, ar
prismatic colors, but, like the bubble it van
ishes even while you behold it. Naturally
there are slang phrases of all degrees of good.
ness and badness, ranging from the word
which is only slight remove from forcible
but perfectly decorous objective, to slang of
the most daring, deep-dyed order.
At one end of the scale, for instance one
might place fetching" and at the other end
its super-superla tive "rum." Again, the in.
junction "play bsll' is gentle and seemly in
com parison with the brusque command "get
move on" Along certain lines the slang
geist seems to revel in extravagant synonyms
and antonyms. especially in those expressing
some infirmity in the upper story. The man
who has "wheels" is also popularity known as
"nutty," cracked or ''off his trolley" Again.
if he comes from the country, he is corn
raised" has ''seed in his hair" or his "face
doesn't fit him." "Gall," nerve" "cheek,"
sand" brass and 'face" are also nearly
synonymous terms for qualities whose uni
versatility has made them a target for popular
satire
Equally prolific is the sang-geist in coming
| terms for money. Dust" Tin" sand"
"rocks, 'chink" and 'spondulicks' are only
| few OF the words that translate filthy
| lucre.'' Two of the slang phrases now in
| gallingly frequent use are, "thars right" and
! that won't cut much lce." The latter, 1t
| must be confessed, has certain cool fgurative
| qualities which give ii saving color OF grace.
But most OF these phrases rely chiefly upon
! their condensed expressiyeness, which is the
| trademark of their American manufacture.
| They are but one of the many devices of the
| masses to compass crosscut and avoid cir
cumlocutions. Thus, "snap" and 'cinch" are
time economy for moneyed sinecure and an
| assured competence.
| One of the surest tests of the rapid mortality
OF slang is the extremely painful sensation
produced by hearing antiquated slang phrases
| used-and there are always people who are
| two, or three or ten years behind in their use
| OF such phrases. When other people are say
| ing ''not on your tintype'' the user of mil.
| dewed slang feebly calculates, 81 should
! SIN lie" The piquancy and patness of certain
| phrases make IL hard to declare that slang as
no legitimate use. But concerning its misuse
| there can hardly be two opinions among peo
pie whose opinions are worth anything. A
! careful study OF the qualities of men an6
women who habituallY interlsrd their re
marks with slang will furnish any body with
world OF convincing conclusions in favor o
| Dura