I think I have a new favourite hate-word. If you've read this blog for a while, you will know that I have a thing about the word 'appropriate'. Not in its proper sense, however; only when used by the Righteous to mean 'something that I personally don't approve of, and no-one else should either'. Like a kiss in the playground being 'inappropriate contact'. Or a man whistling at a pretty girl demonstrating 'inappropriate behaviour'. Behind the word is a mass of arrogance - that what I don't like is what no-one should like. But then reading the quotation from the BBC article I had a sudden shock. Here is a word that is worse, I think.
"Clear and easily understood information is central to ensuring that everyone is aware of the risks of excessive alcohol consumption and can make informed choices about responsible drinking," it said.Responsible drinking. Have you ever heard a phrase that drips with quite as much misanthropic and miserable sourness?
Responsible drinking. It's so very prim and prissy, like the man who folds his Y-fronts before getting down to some carefully-planned and 'appropriate' contact with his wife.
Responsible drinking. How utterly, utterly wet. The very phrase makes me want to get totally rat-arsed on pints of absinthe and smash up a town centre or two.
Don't drink, don't smoke, eat moderately and exercise appropriately. You won't live for ever, but it will seem like it.
Perhaps if guidance was offered on what constitutes irresponsible drinking, the livers of thousands of chavs would be saved, because they'd have no need to get totally rat-arsed to find out.
ReplyDeleteEverything now seems to be aimed towards the clean bland plain and dull. Bring on the too fast too salty too loud too strong. In our day the expression was "Too much, man". Now it is probably "Hey real vanilla, guy"
ReplyDeleteGo into our local good pub and the earnest, nicely spoken youth from the poly, woops Uni, are sipping low or non alcoholic stuff. I want to shake them, and shout "For gods sake get something to regret before the only thing you regret is that you have nothing to regret!"
Hey that almost made sense, mostly!
XX ConniesdadMar 27, 2012 02:45 PM
DeleteGo into our local good pub XX
Allowed to smoke in there are you?
If not, it is just a bog standard shite pub, like all the others.
Depends on your point of view, I prefer not being kippered I actually go more often since the smoking ban, although I do not approve of the ban.
DeleteThe other local pubs you wouldn't want to go into if they stuck a Cohiba between your lips as you walked in, OK maybe you might!
Depends on your point of view, I prefer not being kippered I actually go more often since the smoking ban, although I do not approve of the ban.
DeleteThe other local pubs you wouldn't want to go into if they stuck a Cohiba between your lips as you walked in, OK maybe you might!