New-York tribune., 1901-08-18
TIL ! ENGLISH OF TRADE.
MANY FAMILIAR WORDS ARE MADE TO
TAKE ON NEW MEANINGS FOR
BUSINESS USE
SINESS USE.

man but man for the English language. There
is doubt about the value and beauty OF the
mother tongue and the care which should be
given to it, but. after all. language belongs
to the people and they should be allowed, within
discreet limits, to make of their own as
they please. Bad grammar is outside the ques-
tior: the point is how far good English words. of
pure lineage. shall be turned out of the straight
and narrow path of their ancestors to do special
duty for the modern world. In this case what
Are discreet limits? The spirit of America.
Nhatever its noble qualities. has not developed
reverence to undue extent, and has no IN
tention of using a word in certain sense
merely because that is the way in which it has
been used for four hundred years. The result is
some curious specimens of alleged English. many
Of them distinctly beyond charity.
The determination of commercial men TO
ADAPT ancient tongue 10 modern uses is per-
fistently evident. and there is much to be said
!r the eminently expressive diction OF CONNER
TIA! papers Some of the words employed may |
he surprised to find themselves descended TO
'uca base uses. but they prove their adaptable
ity 10y giving certain racy appOsiteness 10 the |
ntence. one reads In the market news of
,.r-,c orders for spots and futures" with a
ttte Eewiderment. until further on reference Is |
l-ade to spot tomatoes and future peaches"
whereupon the former phrase becomes clear and
even picturesque. -Orientals Spirited" reads a
line in another paper. which is not giving infor-
nation in regard 10 uprsinGs in India. but is
endeavoring convey the fact that Oriental
rugs in demand. Sole leather is referred to
becoming mellow" an adjective not without
att-actveness in that connection. mellow"
shce is pleasing conception. In Vet another
Journal is the startling line. Considerable Ex-
ctencnt in Baked Beans which reminds one
OF the advertisement Of an enterprisng dealer
a. household furnishings: "A fiutter in brass
Gsdsteads" a" news item which appeals strong
Y to lively imagination reads Last week
here was slump in watermelons which great
h alarmed dealers They got out in quick time" "
hho would not retire from the ncishborhood OF
flumpine" watermel"ns With the greatest ex-
peditor? In buying peaches you may have II
YOU wish. No peeled pie OF "unpeeled pie"
Sometimes the language Of these reports seems
trhitrarily complicated when II Is stated that
Sugar Is steady for raw" Tea may be pure
t.gh grown bright outturn.' heavy bodied"
tho kind which produces a liquor robust and
isy syrupy and juicy" There Is something /
sngulary unpleasant about the idea Of rosy"
10 The average mind but the ADJECTIVE has
apparently some weight with the initiated
when coffee il spoken Of fair To fancy" i'll
-lmost IL the dealer had been reading
undue number OF eighteenth century love
songs. but the explanation Is commonplace /
enough. for ne is merely referring to the grades
fair and fancy"
Different pTof, ssions have their special iargoas
hut these have in many Instances acquired 3
the dignity OF technical terms that they must
be- treated with respect. The printing office and
the theatre have perhaps the most elaborate /
Argon, but II ~ difficult to tell what is legiti
mate and what IS not New words are needed. (
and the best method OF supplying them Is 10 add
new meanings TO old words 1t would take far
too much time and ingenuity To invent them
The familiar use Of the word story" for in
stance, shows how easily the language may be
shifted about 10 the advantage Of everybody .
concerned. \ news item is not article" and
article" is too dignified = word for human
natures daily food. anyway. Now, STORY" fills
the gap admirably, referring To news items /
Special articles and what not. When a word is
needed to take the place which story" left
vacant when appointed to new position. "fc-
ti"n" comes in neatly. Everybody is made
happy and the English language ought nor To-
have grievance. In the theatrical profession
'business.' to denote the action nccessitated hv
the parts fills place for which the banishcI
word would seem To have as many qualificsI-
tions. Get hand" less dignifed than re
ceive applause." appeals To the careless actor
although the proper expression Is longer and
applause" is sufficiently common word To
come easily 60 anybody's lips.