WORST BRITISH SLANG.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 10 March 1925, Page 10

WORST BRITISH SLANG.

DISCUSSION BV AMERICANS. i “SILLY OLD ASS” AROUSES WRATH. Are British or Americans the greatest offenders against the dignity of the English language ? The American Association for the Advancement of Science, which held its annual meeting in .Washington, is addressing itself to the solution of this question, which it is solemnly held has a vital bearing on the growth of a complete understanding between the two great branches of the English-speaking nations. Recently leading language scholars in the United States established “the Linguistic Society of America.” They pointed out that “American-English” is unknown to scholars in both its dialect and standard forms, and that America culturally must he designated as a nation without linguistic knowledge. Drastic comment on this point- of view was expressed before the Association for the Advancement of Science by Professor Frank D. Scott, who occupies the Chair of Rhetoric at the University of .Michigan. After reciting to the association a glittering list of Americanisms to which British critics are said to object-, he quoted examples of British slang such 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. With 600 American words an Englishman, according to Professor Scott, might visit America safely, for with them he c-onld order bis bath, his breakfast. his bill, and even his “booze.” He would he able, without speaking of trunks, to secure a long-distance telephone call, to obtain orchestra seats instead of stal’s. to take a round trip instead of a return journey, and to recognise a freight car in the place of a goods truck. > He could pav taxes instead of rates, ask the wav 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. '