CATCHWORDS.

Shannon News, 27 February 1923, Page 2

CATCHWORDS.

HUMOUR WITHOUT MEANING. The Magistrate who recently inquired the meaning of the phrase “There you are, then!” as used by a witness, was at once informed by an omniscient constable that the saying was a very „ popular catchword. That, could not liave helped him much, for the essential of a catchword is that it shall have no meaning. This particular one is dead, and when a catch* word is dead, luckily it is, as novelists sometimes say, “quite dead.” Who has heard of a catchword being resurrected (asks an English writer) One wonders what would happen to some of the insane sayings if they achieved a second time on earth. One must he middle r aged to recall the “Whoa Emma!” and “Tommy make room for your, uncle,” of the early ’seventies. Both these classic sayings originated in coinic songs. On the other hand, no one seems to be aware of the origin of the question “How’s your poor feet?” which spread all over Loudon about the same period. “Does your mother know you’re out?” and “Get your hair cut!” were oi later dale. In the year" 1880 or thereabouts it was considered the height .of Cockney smartness to hurl the former question at every person, young, middle-aged, and old. About the same time, the question, “Woteher?” (“What cheer?) enjoyed an enormous vogue. “Cijase me!” was suddenly dropped in favour of an optimistic assurance to the effect that “Now we shan’t be long.” Hardly had this statement gone;, the way of all catchwords when it was replaced by a phrase somewhat more bellicose than the / ordinary catchword, “Let ’em all come!” was the challenge, and this brave outburst was eventually superseded in its turn hv “My word!- If I catch you bending!” It is believed that Mr George.Robey was the originator of this gracefully veiled threat, “Not in these (an abbreviation of “Not in these trousers!”) held a brief, inglorious sway, but it was capable of being understood and therefore died young. During 'the war the catchwords did not arise to any extent. The politicians were too busy inventing them, and, like spirits, they do not seem to come I “when you call on them.” Perhaps the only phrase that enjoyed a kind of vogue; was “D’ye get me, Steve?” This was Canadian, and not homegrown. “Ijhere you are, is 1 waning. The , next catchword will doubtless be equally silly. For silliness is thedifeblood of the successful catchword. A phrase that- held any kind of sense would not last five minutes. ” , 1