Happy Monday Digital Neighbors! I had some deadline work in the wee hours of the morning and my normal morning posts took a back seat. I know, I know, EXCUSES!!!! Anyway, here is a late morning or midday offering for a week of looking at words, in this case endangered phrases that are fading from usage. Culture and language change over time and what was common yesterday become uncommon tomorrow and sometimes unknown in the not so distant future. How about a brief look the book and author before we explore endangered phrases?
Endangered Phrases: Intriguing idioms dangerously close to extinction
Copyright 2011 by Steven D. Price
From the author: The success of Endangered Words , Simon Hertnon’s scholarly but eminently readable collection of rarely heard words, prompted Skyhorse’s publisher, Tony Lyons, to invite me to write one for phrases. However, rather than limit its contents to obsolete phrases and expressions that are the linguistic equivalent of embalmed, I was more interested in assembling a less erudite, more nostalgic and sociological book that focused as well on phrases and expressions that were on their way out.
I am sure some of us "Olds" out there may have our own collection of fond expressions used by our parents or grandparents that now have fallen into complete disuse. I am a younger member of the "Olds" club being only a mere 56 years old, but my parents were born in 1926 & 1927 and would be among the ancient old if they were still among the living. I thought it would be fun to include a phrase in danger of extinction as well as some that my parents or grandparents used from my childhood. I would be delighted to see your contributions to these fond memories in the comments if you are so inclined. Happy reading and remembering dear neighbors!
Achilles' heel: a vulnerable spot that leads to a downfall
Do students study Greek mythology anymore? I think it used to be foundational for centuries following the Renaissance when the writings of the Ancient Greeks & Romans were reintroduced into common study of the West. I remember studying them in grade school and then a deeper look at them again in High School.
Achilles was among the greatest, if not the greatest of the warriors among the Greeks arrayed against Troy for the abduction of Helen. Invulnerable except for his heel, held by his mother when she dipped him into the River Styx, he was a master of combat. (I've often wondered why more heroes didn't do this if such a bath could make one invulnerable, or as it his more than human heritage that allowed Achilles to survive such a bath?)
The Iliad was such a interesting read in high school, I think we only read sections of it, the gods & goddesses were no better than the humans that worshipped them. Often interfering and being attacked by one side or the other, the deities where just another facet of the conflict between the Greeks and the Trojans.
Achilles was ultimately slain by a poison arrow from Paris (The kidnapper that started this whole mess with Helen.) with the aid of Apollo. I can't remember what Achilles did to piss-off one of the two main deities of archery, but that is generally a bad idea. The ancient world's equivalency of a snipe shot ended his life. Thanks to Achilles we have a phrase to remind us that even seemingly invulnerable people have their weal spots, sometimes fatally so.
No remarks from the peanut gallery
A phrase my mother and grandma used often when they didn't want to hear anything from us kids. The phrase and imagery apparently had two layers of meanings, neither really complimentary. In the 1940's it was associated with the Howdy Doody show and it screaming kids singing the introduction of the show. Apparently it predates it for a few generations for the section of the audience where the rowdies and poorer malcontents were seated during Vaudeville acts. Peanuts were all they could afford and would often throw at entertainers that failed to please them. According to some internet sources it is now grouped among offensives terms because it could refer to where blacks were seated at some productions. Call me a skeptic, but I am tired of the ready to be offended crowd who find anything predating their existence as potential offensive and racists. Could peanut gallery be racists, sure I supposed anyone can give a phrase a bigoted nuance, but it doesn't seem to be the common usage of the phrase as it comes down to us. Happy Monday ADD Irregulars, Friends & Refugees, Phamily & Dawn Patrol, and all the rest of well-contents that find your way to Locals!
Keene Valley red barn in summer sunrise
