...of today's youths...

I frequent the local library...it's a retiree thing to do.... but since the facility is across the street from the high school and grade school....there is a nice age mix...frequently boisterous...but I used to work in a noisy factory while having to think...so I don't care (even tho the librarians give me... the old guy with the white beard... sympathetic shrugs).

Today...while browsing the DVD's... I observed the state of modern communication and dress standards. The 3 teen girls behind me...quite attractive.....with painted on jeans (where the holes weren't anyway)....and cleavage that defines the word...were engaged in a "conversation". Mostly re boys, stolen cigarettes (smoked or not), and I'm not sure what else because, at a minimum, 50% of the words started with "F". So sad and monotonous... when there is such a plethora of other descriptive vulgarisms or even "regular expression" with which to "colorize" the spoken word. I was sorely tempted to advise...but refrained...so as not to make it on the evening news as the creepy old guy in the library.

I would have quoted my Father...who insisted I learn ALL words...then have the intelligence to use the proper ones at the proper time. And that... vulgarity, in and of itself, does NOT impress or make one seem smarter...but exactly the opposite. He was, of course, right...and while I have slipped in my recent usage...during my career, I saved the rare pungent curse word for the appropriate time...therefore indicating to those who knew my normal..."yikes...he must be serious and we better listen". I usually walked away quickly to hide the smirk...with a wink to my Father's memory....

And then....a beacon of light...one of the young ladies  nearly shouted: "I feel onerous!!!" My heart leapt with joy...redemption....and I eagerly awaited the follow-up confession. Which was...and I barely controlled an EXPLOSIVE guffaw: " Cuz f***, I been out in the sun and my skin is getting dark!"

Evidently a word learned in today's English class....with dubious comprehension of meaning...but HEY...a very good word (so partial credit given).  Her companions must not have been paying attention in class either....as there was no reply...and I left before appearing a lurker....


So anyway.....PLEASE..... stay out of the sun w/o proper screening....lest ye be ONEROUS!

Best

Jon

On the brighter side of young ladies' use of English I was dragging a young Swedish backpacker into Millaa Millaa falls, shivering cold even on European standards, and she squealed, "No, no, it vill freeze my balls off!"

I can't begin to guess where she'd picked up the term but, as I pushed her further in, she  squeaked, "Look, already I am in goose bubbles!"

Fun is where you find it.

Jon

It IS a sad state of affairs in today's youth and their vocabularies. My Dad always said - when I popped out with a "bad" word -- that it just showed ignorance.

Glad you have a "hobby"..  :)  Loved the fashion statement also...  :-/  Guess this means we're just getting older...  :-*

Jon, I thank you my friend for a chuckle, and to see you are still with us, alive and kicking.

I was taught when a child, the use of profanity or vulgarity in one's speech was a sign of a poor vocaublary. That or a sign of laziness in one's unwillingness to come up with the proper word.

I must agree with you whole-heartedly on the paucity most of our young people have in a vocabulary. What has been done to our schools, and hence to the lack of education our young ones are receiving, is frightening.

jlc