It is interesting how each generation develops a different way of using words or phrases. The current trendy word seems to have replaced, “you’re welcome.”
You are at a restaurant, you order and when the server returns with your food and places it in front of you, you usually say “thank you.” “No worries,” sing-songs the server.
I guess you could say it speaks to how our world is shrinking in size via the Internet. But then, when you hold a small device in your hand that allows you to communicate with almost the entire world, you may learn and use other phrases not common to your own environment.
According to an internet source, “no worries” apparently originated in Australia and then spread to New Zealand, England and now Canada meaning, “do not worry about that,” or “that’s all right” or “sure thing.”
For those Boomers who remember, the word ‘charisma’ was seldom used until Pierre Trudeau came on the scene. He was very personable and after a journalist labeled him as charismatic, the word became popular and it seemed that anyone who had personality was referred to as being “charismatic.”
Then there are other words that we did not use in the way they are used now.
I remember my mom saying, “Oh that’s a gay scarf” - meaning it was a brightly coloured, cheerful looking scarf.
Then there is the word and action of “text” - which is both a noun and a verb (if you are a grammarian - look it up). Text used to refer to the words in a book, or an actual book or other literary publications.
“Twitter” and “Tweet” were sounds a bird made (and likely in more than 140 characters).
While this isn’t to do with words - (although indirectly it does in how we use them to create new ideas) remember when we didn’t spend money to save money? It was before the whole idea, that by spending money on something that was on sale, you were actually saving money, even though you had no plans to begin with to spend the money.
This buy now and save marketing concept was developed and it has become the norm (and I suspect confuses some with the need vs want concept). It is so engrained into our way of thinking we have forgotten that we didn’t always think this way.
Another big change is how we record and listen to music (yeah - I know, it was a while ago). In my office, I use an old fashioned CD player and the massage therapist next to me uses her cell phone.
Then, of course, those who read this column know that due to my inability to find what I wanted to listen to on an iPod, I use my ancient Sony Walkman.
It seems that some of these things are returning, so I’m actually ahead of the game as I never changed to the new technology. I’m retro and trendy due to my resistance - who knew? Bonus!
I’m getting ready to use e-transfer, but don’t hold your breath. I’m working on the idea and I keep telling myself, “no worries Carole.”
Carole Fawcett is a counsellor, clinical hypnotherapist and freelance writer/editor. www.amindfulconnection.com