Balderdash
BAZINGA!
One of my favourite TV characters is Sheldon from the Big Bang Theory. I just love it how he comes out with his own special catchphrase, “Bazinga!” Apparently the origin of this word comes from “zing” which means to ridicule a person. So, I suppose, it’s kind of saying “I fooled you!” but in a much more punchy and memorable way. Unfortunately most of my friends would say bemusedly, “Huh?” if I bazinga-ed them!
Another phrase we used when we were young was, “No way, Jose!” This would further emphasize the fact that we didn’t want to have any part of certain goings-on or suggestions. If your sister wanted to borrow your newest fabulous dress, this is what you would hiss back at her! Back then, we used the word “like” to signify that we particularly admired a certain thing or person. But nowadays when you listen to some of these beautiful young people’s conversations, you wonder who their English teachers were! For instance, this is a sample of what I hear. “I was like, waiting for like ages for the cab like to come and then like I got so like fed up that I like actually walked there.” I feel like yelling, “Stop! I don’t like!”
This is one phrase I love to use, “Frankly my dear, I don’t give a damn.” Some of my friends would shudder at the choice of words. If you remember, this was said in the film “Gone with the wind,” by Rhett Butler. For a long time we would drawl out these words and feel really hip and with it. I would like to picture myself in a long evening gown with a fur tossed carelessly around my shoulders, a long cigarette holder in one hand, my face impeccably made up and my hair fashionably groomed. Don’t these words fit this picture? Since I don’t smoke the cigarette should be unlit unless I want to collapse in a most undignified paroxysm of coughing and spluttering. Another catch phrase I can’t help giggling at is, “Listen very carefully, I shall say this only once…” This is from the crazy TV series ‘Allo ‘Allo, said by the French resistance member played by Michelle Dubois. It usually precedes something quite absurd, so that’s why you feel like dissolving into laughter the minute you hear it! I thought that awesome meant quite breathtaking. But nowadays, almost everything is labeled awesome. It could be a fruit, flower, bird or bee! It is so much in vogue that even members of the government who think they are extremely trendy describe certain things as awesome. So sad! The next time I go out to dinner and the kids ask how it was, I shall say, “Awesome!” and if they inquire how a book or movie is, my answer shall be an enthusiastic, “Awesome!” So trendy.
Another phrase I would like to use often is, “Elementary, my dear Watson!” It would imply that I was as smart as Sherlock Holmes. Actually, once I did have the nickname “Sherlock” bestowed on me, because apparently I could get to the bottom of any mysterious, inexplicable happenings. But then I was much younger and my senses were sharper. Alas, now I am easily hoodwinked and completely gullible. I actually think people would never lie to me! Amazing, isn’t it? Some people would call me stupid. But it must be so awesome to be super smart. On the other hand, it was Steve Jobs who said, “I would trade all of my technology for an afternoon with Socrates.” But then, Socrates was a smart cookie himself. He said, “The greatest way to live with honour in this world is to be what we pretend to be.” Too true.
I always love to hear a Yabba dabba doo! from Fred Flintstone. I love all these weird sounding words. In fact, I have a fondness for weird sounding music and some weird people too. The kids say it’s because I’m weird myself. Maybe. It’s better to be weird rather than boring, isn’t it? The Flintstone family is quite entertaining; I quite enjoy watching their antics. I remember a couple of years ago; everyone was talking about teenage ninja mutant turtles and all the kids would be exclaiming, “Cowabunga!” That sounded nice too! The phrase used most frequently on me these days by the kids is, “It’s not exactly rocket science!” I am totally lacking in technological skills. I prefer objects that work on simple principles, anything complicated and my mind shuts off. Good grief!
- Honky Tonk Woman.
