Editorial: Commentary
BLOWHI5 MIND
One of the most deleterious features of popular culture is its contribution
to the decline of sensible language. In our times, we are talking more and
meaning less. Most of 1969's clever phrases boggle the mind and any one of
them would give Dr. Johnson cardiac trouble. At the risk of being pedantic, let
us consider the argot of this year and the impoverished state of language.
Words could easily apply for and receive federal aid. We shall now explore
favorites of today's verbal gymnasts.
Some of the most frequently used expressions relate to the cerebreal area.
Many a man is known to "blow his mind." This has to be entertaining. One
huffs and puffs, and a fragment of gray matter is torn asunder. "Where my
head is" always gains attention for its shocking effect upon the hearer. We
think the position of this part of the anatomy atop the neck is obvious, but
apparently there is some form of mysticism connected with the statement. Perhaps
the speaker's phrase merely denotes a wish for decapitation or a conspiracy
against macrocphalous persons.
A loss of the highest portion of one's structure may show that the fellow
talking is willing to lay his head on the chopping block in the name of truth.
Again, it could be modern medicine now makes detachable heads that can be
cleaned, oiled, or shipped to a needy friend. It is distinctly possible that
the migration of one's uppermost feature as delineated in today's speech is a
sign of the rising generation's total commitment to candor.
"Tell it like it is" demand a multitude of insitutions and individuals. Yet,
this once colorful command is now a cliche. Unfortunately, the southern
Presbyterians are currently using it even though the phrase is moribund. Here
is a problem of communicating verbally in the twentieth century. Today's clever
phrase is tomorrow's dead horse, an animal of verbosity that never wins.
Still, honesty must triumph. As we all know, its only direction is "up."
Someone troubled by anxieties about his health, security, or other problems
noone should fret about is said to be "up-tight." This position certainly
produces discomfort and we abhor the fact that anyone has to be so located
when he could be "where it's at," whatever the indefinite pronoun refers to.
It, as we note from "tell it" and "where it's," is the panacea for all of our
society's ills.
With our mobile heads turned toward the heavens, we are able to free ourselves
from a plethora of "hang-ups." Happiness comes to those who find their proper
"bags." Ownership of such luggage creates pride in the possessor who is forever
saying, "that's my bag." Leading the list of sentences calculated to drive a
semanticist to suicide is the simple tribute, "you know."
These two words replace "doncha know" which was previously used by cynics who
apparently had no faith in the intellect of one another. Man, the creature
gifted with language, is presently exalted, "you know." Or if he's not, one
is in the midst of a "bad scene."
DANCE MARCH 22 (SATURDAY NIGHT)
TICKETS:
8 P.M. to 12 P.M.
$2/STAG $3/C0UPLE
ANDERSON AUDITORIUM
FEATURING: THE ROBINSON BROTHERS and THE ACCENTS
An all-expense paid trip to Nassau over the Easter holidays will be given away
to one lucky ticket holder. This dance is sponsored by the C.U.A.B. Special
Events Committee.
UNIVERSITY OF S.
per person
CONCERT FRIDAY, MARCH 28 8 P.M. CAROLINA COLISEUM
TICKETS: 1.50 per person BUS: 2.00
TICKETS ON SALE IN CAFETERIA
FOUR FREE TICKETS TO CONCERT TO BE GIVEN AWAYl
ONLY 78 BUS SPACES AVAILABLE
This concert is sponsored by the C.U.A.B. Social Committee
Dear Editor:
A tragic realization has occured to
me this past week. There is no such
thing as a secret in Montreat. Secrets
become rumors, and soon find a place
waiting for them on the grapevine. If
the rumor is bad news, it usually makes
the no. 1 spot on the vine. By the
time the 'Secret" makes the vine, it's
too late to track down the "culprit"
who let it out. The words seem to
bounce off these mountains as if they
were a microphone for all to hear.
Gossip helps to pass the time, and it's
alot of fun to tell people the latest
news, but it has really hurt some people
this year. Not only does gossip tend
to degrade a person's reputation, but
90% of the grapevine information is
false, and not factually correct. We
have one great skill, and that is to
add a little of our own "news." The end
result is a completely distorted rumor.
A certain faculty member was shocked
to find out that a cherished, personal
secret was already on the grapevine
before the secret was to be made known
to the public. It is wise to remember
that not all people enjoy being talked
about I Students and faculty alike should
practice what they pledge, and that is
"I promise not to tell."
Personally, I'm making a special
effort to think before I speak, and to
distinguish facts from rumors. Friend
and foe, hold me to this.' Allow me
to quote Psalms 109: -1-2:
"Be not silent, 0 God of my praisel
For wicked and deceitful mouths
are opened against me.
Speaking against me with lying
tongue s."
Meg Grote
Dear Editor,
I attended Montreat- Anderson College
last year as a part-time student who
lived in a dorm. I had so much to
drink, I didn't know what to do. I
didn't know how to study, attend class,
and as you might have assumed, attend
C-H-A-P-E-L. The administration was
really pleased with me.
As a reward for my great contributions
to "higher education," I was granted a
pardon for one semester. During my
leave of absence, I found time to work
eight hours a day.
Somehow, working eight hours a day
was a lot worse than studying three
hours a day. I was not sure what
caused my dissatisfaction, perhaps it
was the fact that with my job, as with
many, 1 was not allowed any cuts, could
not postpone my work for a week, or be
excused from duty half the day with a
note from the local hospital. Maybe
you could find a good reason for working.
Sincerely,
Allen Ross
I
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