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As it goes
Off the Wall
March 15, 2007
I may be a little backward, but when certain things
become repetitious, my brain seems to find a place for them and
I am reminded that the subject matter lingers on.
For a number of years now, the word "it"
has been used a number of different ways. I'm beginning to wonder
if its use is straying from Webster's original usage, or am I
missing something.
For example, while watching a competition on TV recently,
a singer told a man who was interviewing her that she was going
to do the it thing.
Now folks, even though it makes no sense to me, it may
take on a whole 'nother meaning to the younger generation. I
have realized a long time ago, I am not as hip (boy, that shows
my age) as I used to be.
Trying to understand what she was trying to convey,
trying to convey, her statement may have referred to attempting
to do something that would yield a positive effect with no mistakes.
Hey teens, am I close?
Quite a few years ago, a company came out with a
sweatshirt that had the words Go for It embroidered on the apparel's
front side. That slogan always bugged me, for I could never quite
grasp what It was.
To the sports-minded, I can only assume that the
two letter word meant "make an attempt and see what happens."
Of course, nowadays, using one's broadest imagination, could
apply to anything. Maybe that's what bothered me a bit.
Some negative type examples quickly came to mind
which were disturbing to say the least. These included sex, alcohol,
drugs, breaking the law or being disrespectful to one's parents.
It is my opinion that slogans such as that made
available to the young serve as influences. Those marketing the
products know that this age group will buy anything that may
disregard society's norms just to make a statement. This isn't
something new. We had the same type of thing back in the 60's
when the hippie movement established their thing.
I'd like to see the slogan used in a positive way.
In other words, Go for It could be interpreted as helping
one's neighbor, take part as a volunteer in community functions,
be polite and courteous, lend a helping hand, attend church,
etc. Of course, that two-letter word could also refer to fetching
a beverage, bringing the dog in from the back yard or getting
the shovel out of the garage.
Taking it one step further, I can't help but feel
that if that slogan had not been instilled within our gray matter,
we wouldn't have all these competition shows on TV. I'm just
not talking about football, baseball, basketball, and winter
sports, etc., but also American Idol, The Bachelor, Beauty and
the Geek, Fear Factor, and a host of other shows just like them.
Even those participating in midget sports, in my opinion, are
pressured to Go for It.
Third, in the series of slogans, particularly this
one that goes back farther than I can remember is It Happens.
We, who get up in age, understand this expression all too well.
Maybe having senior moments, as we have come to know them, may
mean nothing to the younger generation, but we middle-aged folks
know these words all too well.
Could it be that while driving one's car and obeying
the law, some idiot pulls out from an alley and slams into the
passenger side of the car? Or maybe while driving on a thruway
another driver enters from a side road and fails to yield to
oncoming traffic. These are two types of collisions that occur.
We all know It Happens.
And what about declining health? None of us are
the same as we were, say, 15 years ago. We've had to make adjustments,
retire early and prepare for what lies ahead.
So, as it goes, remains to be seen how many will
incorporate it into their vocabulary. As for me, I'll still use
it the old fashion way the Webster way. I think that's
safest!
By the way, if any of you who have access to the
Internet may want to read some of my favorite columns written
over the years, log onto my website at: www.peevee73.com
Paul j. volkmann
2/14/07
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