The Black Hills union and western stock review. [volume] (Rapid City, S.D.) 1904-19??, 1911-05-12
THE USE OF. SLANG.

| uuln opens the Held for a wide lis
cusslon, when he advocates the use OF
slang in conversation as we'll as in
writing. The point he makes about
| the legitimate use of slangy words
and phrases is Well taken, and many
will sympathize with him.
Slang" like a great many other
good things, is a Scandinavian de-
rlvative. 1t is given several defin-
itlons, but the one that applies bes.
here is the following: "A popular,
but unauthorized word, or phrase,
or mode Of expression; also the jar
gon of some particular calling or
class in society,"
So far as regards the latter part
of the definition, it is interesting to
notice that good part of the Ian
guage current today, as we'll as the
contents of books, magazines, and
newspapers teens with professional
Cor slangy) terms of business, in
dustry or other callings. A few
years ago the Saturday Evenlns
Post published an interesting story
about a college girl who used slang
words, and was rebuked by hel
mother who was very much interest
ed in sociology. Thereupon the
daughter, in humorous, yet strict
ly accurate way, undertook TO show
her mother that they both used
slang. And the girl began to anal
we her mothers conversation, when
ever it took rather scholarly tone,
and showed her that the choice ex-
pressions of sociologists, such as
hereditary Influences" the power
of environment" social relations"
1.-The grouping of individuals, etc,
were nothing but sociological slangy
terms and expressions, to the great
scandal of the good lady.
Slangy words, that is in the sense
of expressing ideas and facts pecu
liar to a calling, are universal. And
gathering of scientists will use
slang of their own just as much as
school boys or girls do.
In the definition quoted above,
slang is said to be among other
things, "a popular but unauthorized
word" This gives the true status
OF many slang words and terms.
There is no question that some slang
words that are called such are but
vulgarities, and are not considered
here, as they should never be used.
But there are many words that are
looked upon today as slangs by par.
ticular people, that will be incor-
porated into the choice language Of
tomorrow.
In 1880, when certain Captain
Boycott, of Mayo, Ireland, was COM
mercially ostracised, his name was
soon by-word of the street and first
used as joke. Today it is found in
all dictionaries.
When John McAdam, in 1915, first
preached the subject of his street
paving, his name became synony-
nous in the common talk of the day
with oddly, or foolishness. A Mc>
Adam street meant probably in the
minds of many fools street" TO,
day it is household word.
Many centuries ago on the streets
of Antioch a new word was coined
and became a byword of the street
gamins and loafers, the joking theme
of the idler's conversation No doubt
many a patrician Greek matron for
babe the use of it to her children.
But the word remained, and has be-
come on of the noblest in cur civ
ilization: "Christian."
There is no tribunal to decree
what is proper and what is not IN
the the way of new words, or phras-
es, excluding, of course, from this
category, anything vulgar, or low,
any degrading term or phrase. 1t is
merely matter of usage, in other
words, of time.
| AS Mr.. MAR remarks, there are
certain so-called slangy words or
terms that clinch point or truth
most happily.
The writer heard one of the best
known professors in the Unlteu
States, man who was called by MS
pupils "a walking encyclopedia,
address a gathering of students ana
clergymen and other representative
people in a New England City, on
the relations between church and
business. 1t was topic that lent IL
self to the use of the very cholcest
language, and the speaker was equal
to the occasion.
And when came the climax OF the
lecture the speaker paused a re"
seconds, looked at his audience ano
\ then uttered the truth he wished MS
~. nj - r n.