And the PC brigade were in their infancy. (Did you know? Mao invented “political correctness.” In those days it meant any cultural manifestation—music, art, anything written—that toed the Communist party line. Trouble was, the line shifted so often and so completely, without a moment’s notice, so one week’s Hero was next week’s Pariah.)
’That’s a great deal to make one word mean,’ Alice said in a thoughtful tone. ‘When I make a word do a lot of work like that,’ said Humpty Dumpty, ’I always pay it extra. ’
There are so many words today that have strayed far from their original meaning. For example: “rad!” “awesome!” “gay” (I know so many songs that used that word when it used to mean happy) “thongs”… now they are flip-flops, “dip” as in, “I’m going to dip out” (I’m going to leave". I could go on and on! :D haha!
“Cool” must be one of the most enduring whatchacallums in modern English History. It goes back at least to the Beatnik era in the 1950s and is still widely used today. I think that is pretty cool!
Not so bad with words like marvy, lubricated, etc. Not so good with words and phrases like qualified voter, religious freedom, legal immigrant, executive privilege, etc.
There was a Twilight Zone episode that dealt with very topic called “Wordplay.” It is one of my favorites. As someone once pointed out, it may be similar to what a person experiences when they have dementia.
Dad’s usage of the 1960s words “Marvy” and “Fab” reminds me that I often use the words “marvellous” and “wonderful” to describe this comic strip. Sometimes I vary my praise by using another suitable word such as “awesome” or “magnificent”.
Hmm. I wonder if his use of “spam” caught on. It has a pretty clearly understood meaning today that’s not too far removed from what he seems to be going for.
How do immigrants deal with our slang? It must make a difficult language even more difficult to figure out.
Did ancient cultures use slang? If they did, was it ever used in written documents/scrolls/clay tablets? I could see slang causing LOTS of confusion for linguists trying to figure out an ancient language.
BE THIS GUY over 1 year ago
Totally dope!
Templo S.U.D. over 1 year ago
you’re daft, Calvin
codycab over 1 year ago
More reasons not to listen to Calvin. Brilliant!
C over 1 year ago
Everything old is new again
oldpine52 over 1 year ago
Sounds like he’s been listening to slick Willy.
Scorpio Premium Member over 1 year ago
And Calvin thinks he invented that…. so innocent
LeftCoastKen Premium Member over 1 year ago
Like, cowabunga, dude!
Imagine over 1 year ago
English only exists because some people didn’t want to speak French. That probably applies to all languages.
bluram over 1 year ago
Now that’s one groovy dad!
robnvon Premium Member over 1 year ago
Calvin had been reading Wittgenstein again.
sirbadger over 1 year ago
Dad needs to be careful that he doesn’t accidentally use those phrases in corporate documents.
Bilan over 1 year ago
So when Calvin says that 12 + 5 equals 7, he can claim he’s right.
orinoco womble over 1 year ago
And the PC brigade were in their infancy. (Did you know? Mao invented “political correctness.” In those days it meant any cultural manifestation—music, art, anything written—that toed the Communist party line. Trouble was, the line shifted so often and so completely, without a moment’s notice, so one week’s Hero was next week’s Pariah.)
batmanwithprep over 1 year ago
I just hate the way ‘literally’ is often used nowadays.
meg_grif over 1 year ago
Oh dear. Looks like Calvin’s on track to become a politician.
JudasPeckerwood over 1 year ago
I’m literally nonplussed.
VegaAlopex over 1 year ago
It’s so sick!
chuckcork1 over 1 year ago
Every generation does what it’s predecessor did, but without context to work from thinks it is unique.
scote1379 Premium Member over 1 year ago
Try to teach his Dad to suck eggs ! LOL !
Snolep over 1 year ago
Love him flashing the peace sign.
Snolep over 1 year ago
Words? OMG. LMAO.
Susan00100 over 1 year ago
Dad’s like totally stuck in the ’60’s, y’know??
Groovy!
jonathan over 1 year ago
Calvin was ahead of his time.
Ermine Notyours over 1 year ago
Little did they know in 1992 that “spam” really would take on a new meaning.
DrDavy2000 over 1 year ago
’That’s a great deal to make one word mean,’ Alice said in a thoughtful tone. ‘When I make a word do a lot of work like that,’ said Humpty Dumpty, ’I always pay it extra. ’
humistonbill over 1 year ago
This one’s spookily prophetic!
chaosed2 over 1 year ago
Let me dot that down with my frindle.
Prey over 1 year ago
Still think this is one of the best:- “Hey, you sass that hoopy Ford Prefect? There’s a frood who really knows where his towel is.”
Little Caesar over 1 year ago
Peace. Out.
Saddenedby Premium Member over 1 year ago
let’s go brandon was a Calvin following/reading producer – never knew
Zebrastripes over 1 year ago
Get down!
Gag me with a spoon
… and in the 50’s….
https://grammar.yourdictionary.com/slang/1950-s-slang.html
sandpiper over 1 year ago
As always, Cal inhabits and cultivates his own world. Dad is wise.
txmystic over 1 year ago
Yeet!
amayesin over 1 year ago
Groovy man. Like I can dig it. Tubular.
uniquename over 1 year ago
Dad’s down with that.
nathan.sheriff3 over 1 year ago
Totally tubular dude!
Amra Leo over 1 year ago
Heavy, man…
guenette.charlie(BozoKnows) over 1 year ago
Folks who always wanted Calvin to say “It’s Lubricated,” your ship has come in!
g04922 over 1 year ago
Now, let Calvin translate ’Dad Talk"… The generation gap is still real.
Daltongang Premium Member over 1 year ago
Farm out, Right Arm, Out of State………….
Droptma Styx over 1 year ago
The phrase “some men can get pregnant” simply indicates the language needs a new word.
aerotica69 over 1 year ago
I grok you, Calvin.
Camiyami Premium Member over 1 year ago
There are so many words today that have strayed far from their original meaning. For example: “rad!” “awesome!” “gay” (I know so many songs that used that word when it used to mean happy) “thongs”… now they are flip-flops, “dip” as in, “I’m going to dip out” (I’m going to leave". I could go on and on! :D haha!
klapre over 1 year ago
Especially with pronouns today.
Patriot Dissenter over 1 year ago
Amazingly prescient. Man is woman. Inflation is prosperity.
Frank Farkel Premium Member over 1 year ago
What strikes me is that when this strip was published, the only Spam came out of a can.
vaughnrl2003 Premium Member over 1 year ago
lol. rotfl.
mindjob over 1 year ago
There was a great episode in the 90s version of Twilight Zone, where language changes for everyone except one guy.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wordplay_(The_Twilight_Zone)
Cozmik Cowboy over 1 year ago
Totally gear.
Indianapolis Smith over 1 year ago
Calvin’s gettin’ JIGGY wit it!
rshive over 1 year ago
Dad seems impressed.
flagmichael over 1 year ago
“Cool” must be one of the most enduring whatchacallums in modern English History. It goes back at least to the Beatnik era in the 1950s and is still widely used today. I think that is pretty cool!
brick10 over 1 year ago
Positutely! Absotively!
Jogger2 over 1 year ago
Humpty Dumpty in Through the Looking Glass.
rugeirn over 1 year ago
Not so bad with words like marvy, lubricated, etc. Not so good with words and phrases like qualified voter, religious freedom, legal immigrant, executive privilege, etc.
The Wolf In Your Midst over 1 year ago
Language must freeze in place and everyone must speak how I do, so that I can ignore the fact that I’m getting old and I’m going to die soon.
ChukLitl Premium Member over 1 year ago
“Temba, his arms wide”
KEA over 1 year ago
a long-standing tradition I do believe
vicharamonastery over 1 year ago
There was a Twilight Zone episode that dealt with very topic called “Wordplay.” It is one of my favorites. As someone once pointed out, it may be similar to what a person experiences when they have dementia.
Calvins Brother over 1 year ago
Uptight and outta sight.
yangeldf over 1 year ago
heh, everyone thinks they’re the first one to think of something
ekke over 1 year ago
Standard Marxist practice; we’re seeing it in action today.
Calvinist1966 over 1 year ago
Dad’s usage of the 1960s words “Marvy” and “Fab” reminds me that I often use the words “marvellous” and “wonderful” to describe this comic strip. Sometimes I vary my praise by using another suitable word such as “awesome” or “magnificent”.
wiley207 over 1 year ago
Heh, Calvin saying he’s phasing is a good way of saying he’s growing up. I also love The Dad’s beatnik/hippie slang at the end.
BiggerNate91 over 1 year ago
Does Calvin really want to use the word “lubricated” regularly, even not in its original meaning?
InquireWithin over 1 year ago
Send it, Calvin
PC200X over 1 year ago
This comic totes slaps. It’s strips like this one that remind me why I’m a Bill Watterson stan. I’m shook. Big mood AF. No cap. I can’t even.
donwestonmysteries over 1 year ago
Yep, Calvin should have been born in the 60s.
Happy, happy, happy!!! Premium Member over 1 year ago
Right on! Thats cool!
John Jorgensen over 1 year ago
Hmm. I wonder if his use of “spam” caught on. It has a pretty clearly understood meaning today that’s not too far removed from what he seems to be going for.
jmccarthy89 over 1 year ago
What is a woman?
Ka`ōnōhi`ula`okahōkūmiomio`ehiku Premium Member over 1 year ago
Few of Calvins predictions are this accurate.
brooklyn51 over 1 year ago
The biggest obstacle to communication is the illusion that it has taken place.
brooklyn51 over 1 year ago
All words are made up.
anomaly over 1 year ago
The purpose of language is communication. Take that away, why make noise at all?
gibberish 101 over 1 year ago
That may be the only Calvin & Hobbes strip that I do not recall ever seeing before.
syzygy47 over 1 year ago
That is so very cofeve!
WCraft Premium Member over 1 year ago
After the past 2 years, I’ve had enough of “new speak.”
willie_mctell over 1 year ago
Further proof that Calvin and Donald J. Trump are the same person.
Stephen Gilberg over 1 year ago
Honestly, I have never encountered “marvy” anywhere else.
bvandrasik over 1 year ago
How random
Major325 over 1 year ago
How very very progressive.
Lightpainter Premium Member over 1 year ago
Two observations about slang:
How do immigrants deal with our slang? It must make a difficult language even more difficult to figure out.
Did ancient cultures use slang? If they did, was it ever used in written documents/scrolls/clay tablets? I could see slang causing LOTS of confusion for linguists trying to figure out an ancient language.
christelisbetty over 1 year ago
For a treasure trove of 50’s/60’s slang, YouTube search: “Kookie, Kookie< Lend Me Your Comb”
Treehggr87 Premium Member over 1 year ago
Alternative Facts
SweetSinger over 1 year ago
Groovy!
Red33410 over 1 year ago
Been there; done that, Calvin. Try again. grin
montylc2001 over 1 year ago
Sick!
mistercatworks over 1 year ago
I still say this kid could grow up to be an ex-President.
(If you don’t get the joke, please don’t bother to comment.)
Realimaginary1 Premium Member over 1 year ago
Losing is the new winning, or is it the other way around?!!
aayan.stafa over 1 year ago
this is my first time reading Calvin and Hobbes I usually read Big Nate
Otis Rufus Driftwood over 1 year ago
Orwell was right about language being manipulated.
jrgtr42 over 1 year ago
I actually like the term ‘phasing’ in this context. (i presume the translation is, “I’m leaving.”
Boxo croco says happy derby over 1 year ago
Spackling
Le'Roy Hawkins over 1 year ago
Watterson foresaw the Biden Regime. What is a woman?