Podding up with my son’s family in Seattle, I’ve been thinking a lot about the language that has emerged during this dire period. Some terms I love: Quarantini, anyone? I’m also very fond of pod, a repurposed word now applied to the group you’ve chosen or been stuck with as quarantine-mates. I especially like its verb forms, “podding” and “podded.” Ditto for “pandemic,” as you probably guessed from the title of this post.
But not all pandemic vocabulary is helpful. My word-alarm rings when I see something like this package label:
This bit of literary nonexcellence describes a cloth mask, and was written, I imagine, with a translation program that lost its way, if it ever had a way. I’m assuming that carry is “wear” and, because the mask was folded in half, that divide the opposite side means “unfold.” Did the manufacturer really have to explain that? Would anyone wear a folded mask with both loops hanging over the same ear? (Don’t answer that. These days, the absurd seems all too possible.) Your guess is as good as mine when it comes to deciphering anti-external will stick dust power. I am similarly stumped by wash the poison. Both must have something to do with the virus, because in 2020 everything circles back to Corona. Pun intended.
Here’s a pre-pandemic sign that caters to the anxiety and ignorance far too often attached to physical well-being:
First there’s the phrase itself. I’m not a medical professional, but isn’t all health based on what’s going on at the cellular level? Can you have a disease or condition that doesn’t involve cells? Then there’s the location of the sign, the window of a spa. No offense to the hard-working employees, but I really don’t want anyone but a doctor to mess with my cells.
One more, also pre-pandemic but more important now than ever:
This is what we all have to do to get through to the other side of our 2020 nightmare: PULL a little harder. Remember that! Also, wash away the poison once a day, and look for kindness, compassion, and duty within yourself, as far down as your cellular level.
At age 65 I decided to improve my grammar skills.
Whenever I look to learn or improve a skill I turn to the “Dummies books”.
That is how I came to learn of you.
Lately I have heard the word “normalty” being used.
I am apt to use the word “normalcy”.
Have you written about this?
Thank-you
Tim
Hi, Tim. I hope the Dummies books have been helpful! I haven’t heard “normalty,” but it’s an interesting sound — a little like “admiralty” or something military. Perhaps our “new normal” has a regimented feel to it? Thanks for bringing the word to my attention.
Wow, that first one is a doozy! Sounds like a literal translation of… Transylvanian? Klingon? Wash the poison, I’m trying! I’m trying! š
Wash the poison, dry it, and iron out all those pesky poisoned wrinkles. So much work!
You pointed out something which really forms folded lines on my brow: translation programs. Those pieces of software I’ve always frowned on.
It’s better, and more intellectually challenging, pull a little harder on effectively studying English than rely on them.
I agree completely. I often look up words or turn to friends for help when I’m speaking Spanish, as I have much to learn and the translation programs are not adequate.