Episode #84: Outdated Language
Welcome back! This week Grace and Alvina discuss outdated, and in some cases racist, language and explore the origins of certain words and phrases, and discuss how language keeps changing.
* Content warning*: Some listeners might find certain words offensive or not want to hear certain words or phrases said out loud in this episode. The book friends avoid the obviously offensive words and instead focus more on words or phrases that the average listener might not think about being as offensive.
“First, how have you been?”
Grace has been busy but able to find more time for her art work because her daughter is a school pod that is going well so far. She celebrated the Moon Festival by making mooncakes with Hazel!
Here is the recipe!
Alvina had some friends visiting Burlington, VT where she is now temporarily living. One of her visitors was from our book reviewer Alison Morris who is Senior Director of Title Selection Firstbook.org! She and her husband Garth Hinds came to visit because he is originally from Montpellier, Vermont. Even though it was strange to not hug and having to wear masks, it was great to have some sense of normalcy visiting with friends. Alvina has been enjoying all the deep red maple trees up in Vermont because the colors in the city are typically just yellow and orange.
Outdated Language
In her work, Alvina talks about having to edit words and phrases to be sure they’re up-to-date. Most recently, they had to come up with an appropriate diversity term.
In Grace Lin’s book, Dumpling Days, she refers to the “ice cream truck song”. Come to find out, the song is really racist! Nobody knows exactly how it became the ice cream truck song but you can read more about it here.
Other words and phrases discussed in this podcast that you may not have known are considered offensive:
“Fuzzy Wuzzy”
When you are “gypped” by someone or you “got gypped.”
The phrase, “Rule of Thumb”
Eenie Meenie Miney Mo
“Peanut Gallery”
Up for debate:
Is “long time no see?” offensive? When is it inappropriate to use the words “normal” or “crazy”? (Especially in these times)
The book friends also discuss how some words were once inappropriate but now are considered appropriate such as the word “Queer.” Older generations would recall that as a really negative slur but it is now acceptable and positively used today. Some word, terms, and phrases may always be changing.
“What are you grateful for?”
Alvina was recently visiting Shelburne Farms in Vermont and saw some pretty scenic vistas that left her in awe. She and her boyfriend wondered….why does nature give us these feelings? What is the purpose of all this beauty and awe? Is it to remind us to help protect the world and the environment? She is grateful for these feelings.
Grace is grateful for Grace: really grateful for the families in her daughter’s pod. The school is now using Where the Mountain Meets the Moon as a One School, One Book read. She is really grateful for Little Brown Books who gave a really good discount on getting all the books as the money previously set aside was gone.
*To purchase Grace's 2021 calendar: http://ow.ly/mpHv30r60ya *To become a patron of KAA (and also help BFF): https://www.patreon.com/kidasaskauthorspodcast
