WORST BRITISH SLANG.

Hokitika Guardian, 6 March 1925, Page 4

WORST BRITISH SLANG.

“SILKY OLD ASS” A HIKES t’UOE ESSO ICS WIIA TIL NEW YOUK. .March 5. An? Britishers or Americans the greatest offenders against the dignity of the EiigWi language? The American Association for the Advancement of Science, which is holding its annual meetings in Washington, is addressing itself to the solution of this (|iiestion, which it is solemnly held has a vital hearing on the growth of the English-speaking nations. A few days ago leading language scholars in the United Stales established “ the. Linguistic Society of America.” They pointed out that “ Ameri-can-Knglish ” is unknown to scholars in both its dialect and standard forms and that America culturally must he designated as a nation without linguistic knowledge. 600 AMERICAN WORDS. Drastic comment on this point of view was expressed before the Association for the Advancement of Science by Professor Erank J). Scott, who occupies the Chair of Rhetoric at the University of Michigan. After reciting to the assocaition a glittering list of Americanisms to which British critics are said to object, be quoted examples of British slang sueli as “ Old thing,’ “ Ripping,” “Top hole,” “Tripper,’ - “ Not ’nrf,” and “ Bally.” He denounced these expressions as vapid and suggestive of the “drivellings of insanity.” But it was the phrase “ Silly old ass ” which excited the professor’s special wrath. He described it as “ quite intolerable,” and argued that until the English could make up their minds to abolish it they had no right to criticise Americans for damaging the common language. AYith 600 American words an Englishman, according to Professor Scott, anight 'visit this country .safely, for with them lie could order hfs bath, his :hreakfast, his hill, and even his “ booze.” He would he able, without speakng of trunks to secure a long-distance telephone call, to obtain orchestral seats instead of stalls, to take a '.omul trip instead of a return journey, and to recognise a freight car in the place of a goods truck. TAXES, DRUG STORE AND SUBWAY. He could pay taxes instead of rates, ask the way to the drug store instead of to the chemist’s shop, seek an entrance to a subway instead of*a tube or underground, and have his wife’s purchases charged at the dry goods store instead of being put down at the draper’s shop.