I have no problem with slang, Chuck. And I think that "bum a fag" has probably
evolved out of existence in the UK.
I do have a problem with cr*p educational systems, though; and the education
available in the UK and the US, at High School levels, is probably at about
that level.
I have just been reading some pamphlets from 1945, mostly on the subject of
radar. They were left by my late father-in-law and he hoarded stuff about
radar and electronics from the WWII period. I was very surprised at what a
pleasure they were to read.
"A Report on Science at War", published in the US by the Government Printing
Office (and reprinted by His Majesty's Stationery Office), is a delight to read
for its clarity, structure and good grammar. Note that I am not describing the
vocabulary but the ability to express ideas or concepts and to describe events
and achievements clearly to the reader.
And a British publication, "Radar Bulletin – Victory Souvenir Number – 1945" is
equally well-written – as well as inspiring because it listed the many and
timely achievements by the US and UK in their successful prosecution of the air
war.
A couple of years ago I found a book for sale in the Victoria and Albert Museum
shop: papers in English Examination at O Level. It contained questions that
modern youngsters would find very difficult to answer because schools in the UK
don't teach English Language to that detail. And that has had a deleterious
effect on our ability to write clearly and comprehensibly.
My late father-in-law left a load of stuff, some probably junk; but we will
take some of it to the Radio Signals Museum which is not far from where we
live. I just wish we had known about it and discussed it with him while he was
alive . . .
Chris
On 4 Jan 2012, at 21:53, Chuck Norcutt wrote:
> It probably meant the same in the US... in 1945. But, much to Chris's
> consternation the language moves on.
--
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