Topic: Cato's Grammar Grumble

[Cato]

Several sources claim it goes back to 1974 and the Dungeons and Dragons handbook, where a disastrous roll of the dice could cause an "epic fail."  Either the word "fail" was misprinted or the word was shortened on purpose for unknown reasons.

Others claim it goes back to 1980's Japanese videogames not using proper English.  Another claim is that early computer programmers used it to refer to crashing programs.  You might remember: "Abort?  Retry?"  If the computer still crashed or failed to reboot, it was an "epic fail."

Why those 3 last letters cannot be used...who knows?

[Lethevich]

Fail is definitely influenced by poor translation from Japanese (like a lot of post 2000s nerd talk - it began to be used ironically, but then gained greater popularity, but still with that "we know this sounds absurd" edge to it) -

[greg]

unrelated to that, this one had me in stitches:

That must suck having that on...
trying to figure what's so bad about it, if you cover up the bottom of the nose and the whole mouth, it's not too bad. I'm not sure how appropriate the shading is, though.

[karlhenning]

John Singer Sargent, he wasn't.

[DavidRoss]

"In Loving Memory" -- Looks as if the artist wanted her remembered as a zombie.  (And I don't mean a member of the band that did "Time of the Season.")

[Franco]

The tattoo appears to me to be a tribute to a loved one who has died.  For sure, tattoo art is often crude and does not always portray a complimentary image from a photograph, but the artist did his best to respond to the wishes of this patron.   

This aspect of online activity, i.e. making fun of people we don't know, is one of the least positive.

[karlhenning]

This aspect of online activity, i.e. making fun of people we don't know, is one of the least positive.

"In Loving Memory" -- Looks as if the artist wanted her remembered as a zombie.

I think, Franco, that this artist fully deserves his lumps.
 

John Singer Sargent, he wasn't.

[Spotswood]

What the heck do kids these days mean when they use the terms "surreal" and "epic?"

They mean cool, boss, rad, gear, superbad and wicked. I did a column  once on the way every generation uses different words to say essentially the same thing: we like something or we don't like it. The words are different, but the sentiment never changes. Shame I can't find the thing online. It was epic.

[karlhenning]

Straight from the fridge, daddy-o.

[Spotswood]

John Singer Sargent, he wasn't.

She looks like she's decomposing.

[DavidRoss]

They mean cool, boss, rad, gear, superbad and wicked. I did a column  once on the way every generation uses different words to say essentially the same thing: we like something or we don't like it. The words are different, but the sentiment never changes. Shame I can't find the thing online. It was epic.

Hip mod a-go-go and groovalicious, slick.

[The Six]

She looks like she's decomposing.

She is.

[knight66]

Perhaps rather like Wilde's Portrait of Dorian Gray, the tat will decompose whilst the dear departed will remain fresh as the daisies she pushes up. We will revisit him in a couple of years and report back.

The former film director of 'Death Wish', Michael Winner, has for years been writing a weekly restaurant review in the Sunday Times. He abuses the word, 'historic' which is attached to any outstanding dish he is served. So, weekly there is a sentence or so along the following lines:

The treacle tart was exactly what was to be expected of this chef, truly historic.

Alternatively

Sadly, my quest for 'the' historic souffle turned into disappointment; as I sent back the better half of the congealed mess that was delivered to me.


You get the style of him, no doubt.

He has just started a TV show where he descends from his mansion and his chauffeur dumps him at the house of some 'real' person eager for 15 minutes of fame. He then proceeds to criticise everything from the foolish participants to their wallpaper and food. I am unclear whether watching it is less painful than going over your privates with sand paper, but this writer is unwilling to give either a try right now.

Mike

[DavidRoss]

He has just started a TV show where he descends from his mansion and his chauffeur dumps him at the house of some 'real' person eager for 15 minutes of fame. He then proceeds to criticise everything from the foolish participants to their wallpaper and food. I am unclear whether watching it is less painful than going over your privates with sand paper, but this writer is unwilling to give either a try right now.

Sounds historic.

As for your uncertain comparison, I suppose it depends on the sandpaper's grit.  Hmmm.  Reminds me of an episode of particular foolishness as a child when I spilled turpentine on my privates.  Sandpaper might be preferable to that.

[knight66]

Yes, as an adolescent I discovered that after-shave was not a great, or historic, idea either.

Mike

[DavidRoss]

Yes, as an adolescent I discovered that after-shave was not a great, or historic, idea either.

Epic!  (Or should that be, "Surreal!"?)

[knight66]

Not too sure what I exclaimed, but I think my eyebrows met my hairline.

Mike

[DavidRoss]

Off topic a bit but I'm grateful to Cato for this thread, on which I've often found the same playful spirit that attracted me to GMG in the first place.  I wonder what Nigel's up to these days.  Still seeing more opera in a season than I'll see in a lifetime, I imagine, and still cracking wise with admirable pith and dryness best shaken, not stirred. 

[knight66]

I am in a bit of contact with him, but don't hold a lot of info. He is still attending the opera and travelling around.

Mike

[karlhenning]

There are enjoyable grumbles in Why Begins With W, too (not surprisingly).