WHAT IS "SWANK"?

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1582, 28 October 1912, Page 5

WHAT IS "SWANK"?

1 , A NEW TERM FOB OLD WEAK- • KESSES. The meaning of Iho word ".swank" anil ils use was explained In the members of the Knmoi'o (KcW South Wales) Men'* Brotherhood on October 13 by Mr. Arthur Cocks, M.L.A. "Swank," he said, "is a new American term for somo very old human weaknesses." .Mo defined it generally as holding out a claim to knowledge, position, or information which was not truly possessed. "■Swank" entered into the realm of politics! it nourished in the Domain amongst speakers with glib tongues and very superficial knowledge of their subjects; and it had been known to invade tho precincts of Macnuario Street on more than one occasion. Social "swank" was very prevalent, and found more exponents amongst women than men, because their activities revolved more in social functions—lho claim lo intinuicj on ;\ bowing acquaintance, the desire tc outshino in dress. Superficial worker! who posed as commercial experts were "swnnltcrs," and their number was legion. The moil who covered poor spelling by indistinct writing, and put the "dot" on the centre of a blurred "le" were only in the kindergarten stage; but, like the workman who covered lead work with putty and paint, they would attain to tho full position of "jerry builders" in the spccinlisofl sphere of operations. The speaker coir eluded his address by quoting a few lines impressed on a milk jug, which came un dor his notieo in England: Whatever you are, bo that. Whatever you say be true, , Straightforwardly act, be honest in fact, l»e nobody else but yon. *