Archive for the ‘language’ tag
In Review: George Carlin and the joys of language
George Carlin left a legacy of language behind when he died Sunday night. Cynics (and fans of Carlin mostly are) will remember him for the seven words — you certainly couldn’t avoid them in obituaries and tributes to the man this week. But Carlin wasn’t a fan just of foul language. He loved euphemism; that is, he loved to attack them. He was famous for a bit on how shell shock evolved to become post-traumatic stress disorder. “I’ll bet ya, if we’d still been calling it shell shock, some of those Vietnam veterans might have gotten the attention they needed at the time,” he said.
One of my favorite Carlin albums is “Jammin’ in New York.” I was pleased this week to read it was also one of Carlin’s favorites. The album is full gems such as the ”Bigger-Dick Foreign Policy Theory” and a biting critique of cemeteries. But my favorite track from the album — indeed, the track that endeared Carlin’s wit to me back in high school — is a hilarious sendup of airline announcements — perhaps too easy a target in this age, but it was edgy in his heyday.
This week, the AP released the 2008 edition of The Associated Press Stylebook, the so-called bible of journalism. This, no doubt, would have provided endless fodder for Carlin. Changes from the previous edition include mentally retarded being replaced with mentally disabled and several updates to race and ethnicity entries. It even includes a new entry on post-traumatic stress disorder. Carlin would have been proud, or repulsed. They’re just words, he probably would have reminded us.
But Carlin wasn’t oblivious to the power of words — something he shared with the best journalists. He knew how to deliver a message straight to the gut — no dillydallying, no pulled punches, no… well you get the idea. It’s his critique of the English language, as much the AP and a cadre of wonderful writing and reporting teachers I’ve had, that, I believe, helped me to be a stronger writer and editor.
George Carlin was 71 when he died. I had the pleasure of seeing him perform once at the Orpheum Theatre in Minneapolis. That must have been about two years ago. I know that because he made a joke about his age — 69 — being his favorite number. Classy, George.
His performance that day was a little odd. He read from a script because he said the material was all fresh, and he didn’t want to disappoint by screwing up. I wondered if he was just getting too old to remember his own material. Regardless, he delivered a wonderful performance.
George Carlin was acerbic and impudent. He could be crass, some might say repugnant. But he knew how to use words to their full potential, and, I imagine, one always knew where he stood with Carlin. He said what he meant, and he didn’t much care if it hurt your feelings. In a world full of euphemisms, pandering and outright lies, that directness will be missed.
George Carlin - Airline Announcements
NPR’s Scott Simon added his own list of words Carlin probably hated today.
