Akron daily Democrat. [volume] (Akron, Ohio) 1892-1902, 1899-09-15
INvENTNG 4 CATGH PHRAsE

L
l was remarking to Robinson the ether
day that, judging from the idiotic nature
of most catch phrases, it must be q
pretty easy business inventing them.
You are quite wrong" answered Rohil-
Kon, in that didsctic manner which al
ways makes me loaths him. The catch
phrase may indeed be lifted into fayer
merely by virtue of its superlative IMAM
ity, but 10 man eau possibly tell wheth-
er phrase is going to catch on or rot
until it has either become popular or is a
dismal failure. 1t is a matter of pure
chance apparently, and even men who
have studied the public taste all their
lives cannot tell you what the public will
take to any more than the babe unborn"
l was nettled at his superior manner.
and the dispute ended in bet that ]
would within the space of six weeks start
catch phrase that should be on every
ones tongue.
1t was rash offer; but, having made
it, l was bound in honor to stick to It,
and for the next few days l pondered
deeply on the catch words Of the day
and made notes of any phrases in general
use that seemed to my ear to combine the
necessary rhythmic swing with the desir-
ed amount OF inanity. AT length, after
endless trouble. hit upon one that seem
ed so absolutely fatuous and idiotic that
/ felt it could not fail to succeed.
No, | am not going to set it dowr here
for the superior readers Of Answers ts
gibe at. OF course, said in cold blood, it
seems to indicate need for consultation
with a mental specialist on the part OF
its author, but if it had caught on, as it
undoubtedly should have done, you would
have been the first to use it and to smile.
your appreciation on hearing it used by
others. If some one had told you year
ago that he was going TO make enteh
phrase of Let 'eln all come. you
would probably have set him down us an
ass. But you would have been the asa
all the same.
Well, the first thing did arter having
completed my phrase was to write song
round it and take it TO an eminent come
dian. The eminent comedian looked at
it and read it through twice, with very
grave face. Then he asked me IL ex-
pected him to sing 1t. replied that l
thought he would make good thing out
of it if he would give 1t trlai me
AC1luih NSPSNh~tAASs ~Nf -
will see, uncommonly good and is simply
bound to catch on.
Il think l should have to catch on TO
something myself While L was Singing
it." said the eminent comedian, wiping
his forehead. "Still, he continued.
Il should be very pleased to try it II
l hadn't got wife and family Dependent
on me. As it is, however, don't think
hn Ir1of N L
should advise you to look out Tor single
man who is tired of life. Good morning"
/ was not slow to recognize in this re-
buff tine working of that professional
jealousy which is such regrettable fea-
ture of stage life, and l quickly deter
mined not to waste any more time over
actors and artistes. L knew better than
that Obviously the thing to do was to
appeal to the class Of men that had most
need Of catch phrases. and l selected the
jovial driver Of a city bus for my next
experiment. l climbed upon the top and
waited till a block in the traffic gave me
the opportunity l wanted. There was q
crawling hanson right in our way, and
when the vehicles began to move slowly
forward the driver commenced to huri q
stream Of uncomplimentary epithets at
the delinquent. Then l leaned forwara
and melted the driver to try my catch
phrase on his foe. "WotF said he.
repeated the inane phrase. He looked at
me for some time with hxlty or gaze
which found highly disconcerting.
WOt should l say slch foollshness as
that for?" he inquired, with obvious sur
prise.
why" l answered cheerfuiiy, ITS
the latest thing out. Everybody Is say
ing it."
"Oh, are they? said the driver Il
'aven't card 'em. but II they are I'm sor-
ry for EN-. Wot makes EN- like that,
eh! P'r'aps IT might be the 'ot weather
or touch o the Inhooenzer any ow,
'opes they'll be better presently, I'm
sure"
He drew his whip Ilghtiy across the on
horses flank and nodded his head sadly.
He did not speak TO me again during
the remainder OF the Journey, out once OF
twice l heard him mutter my iucKlsss
phrase under MS prealn anu aue' "e"'
I'm Dlowed. IN tone Oh paineo sa1
prise. 1 evidently mad not succeeded n
hitting the taste OF the bus driving Sec
ton Of the community.
BY this time was getting trins
anxious about my bet, but resolved Oh
at least one more bold old Tor popularity.
j went down to Hampton Court tne ne4b
Sunday by train and hired Skin rrom
one of the lighthouses Amid tnat merry
throng OF foiks' tneatricai anu oene