Words Without Meaning

This week in class we talked about family sayings as well as words that no longer have meaning. Well, they do, it's just that they don't. At least not to some people. Now I know that made complete sense.

Here are some examples: Mary told us she mentioned to her grandchildren that she wore dungarees. Dunga what? Of course they didn't know what those were. Hello, would that be translated jeans?

And Pedal Pushers. Translate: Capris. Irene reminded us why they were called Pedal Pushers. When girls rode their bikes, it was difficult with dungarees on. So the great invention came to be. Pants that were usually at mid-calf. I used to call them Knee-Knockers, but then those would be at the knee. Oh no, not more confusion.

A friend questioned me recently on an article I had written on feet and shoes. In it I mentioned thongs. She laughed and said she could not figure how you wore thongs on your feet. She was thinking thongs as in underwear. What does she call them? Flip-flops.

In class we also noted the importance of including the meaning of these types of words in your stories. Why? So your younger audience will have a clue as to what in the world you mean. You may choose to put them in a foot note if not directly in your story. Your reader will thank you.

NOTE: For a bit of history behind Pedal Pushers/Capris check out http://www.wisegeek.com/what-are-pedal-pushers.htm and or click on both Pedal Pushers above and they will take you to two different sites.

Copyright © 2008 by Ellen M. Samples. All rights reserved.