Triteness is the new originality
There is one expression that crops up from time to time that is guaranteed to send me into a rage.
“Whatever is the new thingy”
Now what the fuck is that supposed to mean?
“White is the new black”.
I defy anyone to tell me what that means. White is white, and black is black, and some tacky little phrase is not going to change that.
It is obviously a phrase thought up by some pimply little advertising prat who thought he was ever so clever. It is meaningless, trite and is not even microscopically clever.
Whoever dreamt it up should be nicely impaled on a steel rod and then roasted very slowly over an open fire. Anyone who continues to use it should likewise be burned at the steak.
I was flicking around the television channels last night and passed across the news. There was Biffo being interviewed about the Snip thing. It was an ugly enough sight, but apparently he was caught at a rally encouraging people to holiday in Ireland.
Behind him was a banner declaring that “Holidaying at home is the new going abroad”, or words to that effect.
What is the point of this banner?
Am I supposed to be so fucking thick that I will book a holiday in Ballinasloe under the belief that I am booking Thailand? Is it somehow supposed to make be feel better?
Listen to me, you stupid fucking dense wankers – Ireland is Ireland and Abroad is Abroad. I would have thought that was a simple enough concept, but it seems not. Ireland is cold, wet and fucking expensive. Abroad is hot dry and a hell of a lot cheaper. If you can’t tell the difference, then you deserve all you get. If, on the other hand you are not going to notice these ever so subtle differences just because someone has written a cheap and meaningless slogan on an old bed-sheet and pinned it to two broom handles, then frankly I hope you stay at home and drown. The human species will be better off for your absence.
“Grandad is the new voice of reason”.
Now, that makes sense.
Alabamans say “bad” for “good.” As in “He’s a bad motherfucka.”
Private Eye had a column dedicated to such drivel comments for some time – The Neophiliacs
TT – Meaning that he’s a good motherfucka??? That is weird?
Ian – Are you referring to comments on this site or that crap I’m writing about? It could be important?
Well technically Ireland is abroad for me.
Since your on about this, here’s one that total makes me see red. “These ones” arrrgh…
Good point, Brianf. If you come here then you are going abroad, therefore it will be hot dry and cheap here? No, wait…. there’s something wrong there……
Brighid – There is nothing to confuse like the collective noun? How many people say ‘the government are’ when it should be ‘the government is’? I’m probably guilty of that one myself?
Brighid – My pet peeves–“supposubly” and “orientated”.
tt – Yeah, same in for Vermonters but no matter where it’s said, sometimes “bad” is just bad.
Grandad – Insult is the new compliment? (mostly in and around New York City though). And “burned at the steak”? That’s either a misspelling or you being very clever?
Oh, not the comments on here! No, the neologisms such as “Longford is the new Chartres” and “staying at home is the new going out” and equally inane stuff.
Kirk M – I will take your criticism of my spelling under the “insult is the new compliment” banner. Thanks for the compliment. 😉
Ian – Are there really people out there who are so low on the intelligence scale that they fall for these slogans?
New is the new old?
I’m with ‘Gift’ Jay Keane when it comes to ‘the new thing’… “[the new thing], is dat de new thing, is it? You wooden know [the new thing] if it bit ya in de arse! Ye langer!”