Slang and Slang Use, Feast yer mince pies on this one! Options

[Guest_Jox_*]

Hi,

In another tile, Don and I had a brief discussion on slang (reproduced in the next post in this tile). However, it seems to me that the subject is a very wide one and has big implications for all writers. So what do you think about slang? Do you / would you use it and, if so, when? What are the dangers and advantages of using it?

Please post your thoughts in this tile.

Oh the sub-title?? "mince pies" is Cockney (London) rhyming slang for eyes.

James.

[Guest_Jox_*]

Don's and my initial discussion...

D: Many tube jockys spent considerable time adjusting and creating individual colors.

J: Don... I give up... what is a "tube jockey"? (An engine driver on the Underground is my closest guess, well my only guess, actually).

D: It is work slang for person working a computer station.
Tube = monitor
Jocky = worker

A tube jocky rides a computer monitor all day.

Maybe you would prefer monitor lizard?

J: I certainly never guessed that one.

"Tube Lizard" - just as obscure as "tube jockey" but it seems I'm stuck with it, now that CRTs are becomming obosolete!

So a Tube Lizard I must be, then.

Can't I be a Tube Koala? They are nicer...

D: I didn't originate the term, but was a "tube jocky" for several years.

Now I punch the keys at home as a retarded retired lounge lizard.

I'm sure you would have unraveled the slang.  You are probably stoned on sucking up too much code.  I recently upgraded this home computer, but kept the CRT because it operates satisfactorily.  It occassionally garners a snide remark from Lynn, my spouse.  She is accustomed to using the daughter's fancy flat screen.  Just today, as a matter of fact, she said, "Your picture looks small."  I told her that we were old friends and get along fine.

She parted with, "I love you too."  This reminded me to get up and refill my cup of coffee.

J: What's a "Lounge Lizard"? (I don't know "Tube Lizard" either).

Apropos CRT vs. LCD...

CRTs do have much better pictures for running films and games. However, I like the LCDs because they are better resistant to reflections and emit virtually zero radiation. I find the non-flicker picture far less stressful to the eyes, too.

For TVs, however, CRTs are still the best, despite the apparent stampede to LCDs (and the even dafter plasma screens).

D: We apparently tend to slide into nicknames and slang.  When used as slang, lizard is a like a lazy person sunning himself.  Ergo a lounge lizard lazily lounges in lounge.  Oftimes lounge is substitute for any type of room, from caffeteria to home living room.  

Based on "tube jockey" and above attempt for a "lizard" a lazy or sometimes worthless computer operator is a "tube lizard."  

Maybe this work generated slang is similar to cockney.  We aren't concerned about police as much as supervisors and similar straw bosses.  A "straw boss" is a person put into authority without any authority. They tend to be direct communication to supervisors with authority.  A straw bosses function is to blab rumors of unrest and dissatisfaction to people of power.  "I heard so-and-so has a better paying postion lined up, and is looking for a pay raise pretty soon or else" type of political falshood.

Babbling brook

J: Ah! Makes much more sense now - thanks, Don.

Cockney slang is mostly impenetrable to me, I'm afraid. It is a London slang which was developed to confuse the Police. It is poetry of a sort - based on rhymes. So "Trouble and Strife" is wife and "Barnet Fair" is hair etc. But, for the most part, it simply confused me (as it was meant to confude the coppers!

"Straw boss" is interesting - never heard of it per se but "a man of straw" is a man without financial security (sounds like me!). I don't know the derrivation of that one. This makes me think that we should start a discussion tile on slang. If I have a couple of mins, I'll do that and move our posts across from here.

Thanks for your responses... most interesting.

D:Your definition of "straw boss" is probably a closer link to original than our altered use.

Glad to be of help.  I am certain you will eventually repay with language tips from your side of the pond.

J: I'm not very keen on slang, Don - British or not. Having said that, I use it all the time, of course because it is such an integral part of speech. Damn!