Trendy Words I Do Not Like

[dismalist]

Observing different cultures and different historical periods shows that who counts as "us" and who counts as "them" is not remotely consistent. I was just watching a show set in Scotland circa 1950. The "other" despised group are Irish travelers, despite  the fact that both groups are white, speak the same language, and are basically the same religion (although one group is Protestant and one is Catholic.) Making an arbitrary "oppression hierarchy" that is projected back through all time completely ignores reality.

Hell, when I was growing up in the Bronx things were exactly like that -- Irish against the Italians, Italians against the Puerto Ricans. Actually, the Irish against everybody else. There was fighting, but without weapons.

Junior High School was an experience!

[jimbogumbo]

Observing different cultures and different historical periods shows that who counts as "us" and who counts as "them" is not remotely consistent. I was just watching a show set in Scotland circa 1950. The "other" despised group are Irish travelers, despite  the fact that both groups are white, speak the same language, and are basically the same religion (although one group is Protestant and one is Catholic.) Making an arbitrary "oppression hierarchy" that is projected back through all time completely ignores reality.

Hell, when I was growing up in the Bronx things were exactly like that -- Irish against the Italians, Italians against the Puerto Ricans. Actually, the Irish against everybody else. There was fighting, but without weapons.

Junior High School was an experience!

Every school at every level any place on Earth?

[dismalist]

"off of", as in the drugstore is off of Route 1. How about is "on" Route 1?

"out of", as in my friend is based out  of Atlanta. How about is based "in" Atlanta?

I could go on. I appreciate that language changes, but what is being gained here? There are more words, not fewer, to describe a phenomenon. As in Amadeus: Too many notes!

[Cheerful]

"this space" or "in this space" to refer to a sector, issue-area, or problem.

"We need more enrollments in this space."

"We need more careful thinking in this space."

"We're doing new things in this space."

"There are huge opportunities for return on investment in this space."

[dismalist]

"tools" is now used for things that are not tools, e.g. vaccine is a tool to stem the epidemic. And they are stored in a toolbox, no less.

The tool box is in a certain space, too, I guess.

[Hibush]

"tools" is now used for things that are not tools, e.g. vaccine is a tool to stem the epidemic. And they are stored in a toolbox, no less.

The tool box is in a certain space, too, I guess.

I've been using this terminology in a similarly expansive way in place of the previously common "arsenal". We are not waging war, so that seemed much worse.

[Hibush]

"this space" or "in this space" to refer to a sector, issue-area, or problem.

Academic organizations that choose that terminology tend also to have administrative titles like "Chief XXX Officer." It must feel trendier than Associate Vice Provost for XXX, but it sounds stupid.

[dismalist]

"tools" is now used for things that are not tools, e.g. vaccine is a tool to stem the epidemic. And they are stored in a toolbox, no less.

The tool box is in a certain space, too, I guess.

I've been using this terminology in a similarly expansive way in place of the previously common "arsenal". We are not waging war, so that seemed much worse.

Well, in case of war, arsenal does sound a lot better. :-)

The Venetian Arsenal is a lot better than the Venetian toolbox. :-)

[jimbogumbo]

"tools" is now used for things that are not tools, e.g. vaccine is a tool to stem the epidemic. And they are stored in a toolbox, no less.

The tool box is in a certain space, too, I guess.

I've been using this terminology in a similarly expansive way in place of the previously common "arsenal". We are not waging war, so that seemed much worse.

This is really old though. Tools of the trade dates back to the early 1800s at least.

I've heard it used in baseball in place of attributes (see 5 tool player) since I was a kid in the early 1960s.

[dismalist]

"tools" is now used for things that are not tools, e.g. vaccine is a tool to stem the epidemic. And they are stored in a toolbox, no less.

The tool box is in a certain space, too, I guess.

I've been using this terminology in a similarly expansive way in place of the previously common "arsenal". We are not waging war, so that seemed much worse.

This is really old though. Tools of the trade dates back to the early 1800s at least.

I've heard it used in baseball in place of attributes (see 5 tool player) since I was a kid in the early 1960s.

Sure, when tools of the trade involves actual tools. :-)

The baseball example is what I object to. I will not use the term in baseball! :-)

[jimbogumbo]

"tools" is now used for things that are not tools, e.g. vaccine is a tool to stem the epidemic. And they are stored in a toolbox, no less.

The tool box is in a certain space, too, I guess.

I've been using this terminology in a similarly expansive way in place of the previously common "arsenal". We are not waging war, so that seemed much worse.

This is really old though. Tools of the trade dates back to the early 1800s at least.

I've heard it used in baseball in place of attributes (see 5 tool player) since I was a kid in the early 1960s.

Sure, when tools of the trade involves actual tools. :-)

The baseball example is what I object to. I will not use the term in baseball! :-)

I'm cool with not liking or using it. I'm objecting to calling it trendy:-)

[wareagle]

Did anyone mention "adulting" yet?

[dismalist]

Did anyone mention "adulting" yet?

Mercy, hadn't heard or read that one yet.

Because "adulting" means "acting like an adult", "whiting" must be next.

[mahagonny]

Did anyone mention "adulting" yet?

Mercy, hadn't heard or read that one yet.

Because "adulting" means "acting like an adult", "whiting" must be next.

Voting while white...https://www.vox.com/2020/11/7/21551364/white-trump-voters-2020

[ab_grp]

"Unfortunate incident" as applied to an appalling situation that likely had numerous foreshadowing incidents.  ETA a link to the unfortunate incident I'm talking about: https://www.vcstar.com/story/news/local/communities/ventura/2021/02/19/oxnard-college-professor-michael-abram-put-leave-after-viral-video