University Missourian. [volume] (Columbia, Mo.) 1908-1916, 1913-12-17

possible manner something that will
be striking and effective There are
two kinds of slang: slang of the up
per classes and slang of the lower
classes. That particular brand that
appeals to me most is the kind you
get from among the working classes.
1t is usually much more direct kind
of speech than the kind of the upper
classes, and is spontaneous. Our Ian
guage keeps growing in a very large
measure through the addition of
phrases that were originally slang and
became the best language through
good usage. We go in for slang more
in this country because it makes it's
point so quickly and because we usu-
ally have a dislike of anything that
sounds academic. Slang is simply
popular and spontaneous metaphor.
DIR. Max Meyer, professor OF expert
mental psychology: 1 have always
abhorred slang, abhor it now, and
shall abhor it as long as I live. 1 do
not like emotions put into language,
and a person who uses slang seems to
show that he has no rational argu-
ments, and that he has to substitute
emotion for reason.
DIR. Z. r. Hedrick, professor of
mathematics: Greeley said Language
would have to take care of itself while
he was expressing an idea," and that
is about my opinion. We must distin-
guiSh between written and spoken
slang, however. In writing, slang
should be forbidden unless quoted. In
speech it is effective.
j. 4. Gibson, associate professor of
analytical chemistry: Slang is all
right in its place. At times it is pc
culiarly fitting and carries a point
which no other way would. Outside
of this it weakens the language Many
words lose their meaning and slang
of slang shows ignorance and lack of
training.
DIR. f. NJ. Tisdel, associate professor
of English: Slang that is graphic and
gives new interest of color to
thought is all right. It's continued
use, however, is mostly the result of
mental poverty. People who do not
have command of good English re-
sort to slang. In speech we ought to
avoid the bookish, and cheap slang.
1t is better to seek the idomatic and
colloquial. The English language is
growing and one of the sources from
which it gets its vocabulary is slang.
For the most part slang ought to be
tvoided.
Miss Eva Johnston, associate pro-
fessor of Latin and adviser of women:
Sometimes slang so thoroughly ex-
presses the thought that it is used
involuntarily. Such slang probably
will become good language. Slang
should never be affected. 1t is too
broad subject to summarize briefly.
DIR. r. L. Ramsey, associate profess
or of English: Slang often rests on
violent metaphors, meaningless words
and disrespectable vocations; but so
do many of our words and phrases
used by our best writer's. All slang
is not on the same level. Sometimes
it is more accurate than any substi-
tute. College slang is not objection
able among college students. Base
ball and racehorse terms may pass
without criticism in their own circles.
Slang is often picturesque, sometimes
witty. Slang ought to be quoted as
sort of an apology to the reader for
using it. Rush the growler," was used
in the Nation recently. Slang is
eyanescent. If we were to ACCEPT
slang into legitimate speech, the Ian
guage OF last year would be unintelli-
gible. Slang by its very definition is
vulgar and offensive. It always in
wolves a sacrifice for gain in pictur-
esqueness or humor which is paid
with loss in dignity and elevation
of tone. If you are willing to pay the