NOT QUITE SO COOL, YA DAMNED FOOL!



Article by

KAYSOON KHOO

 

"Cool" has to be the most overused and the most abused word in the English language. Blame the Americans. After all, Henry Higgins did say, "There are places where English completely disappears; in America they haven't used it for years."

That was supposed to be a cute quote, nothing more. I love the free, easy way the Americans have when they speak and write. And I'm not a linguistic freak. I really don't give a shit if you get your grammar wrong or if you use an inept word or phrase. What you say is more important than how you say it.

But in the case of the word "cool", most of us have oversaid it. Apart from it's literal meaning, we often make it mean almost anything we want it to. Sure, it's always used in a favourable context. It signifies something we like or are impressed with. And it reflects that ease in speech and writing I mentioned earlier. But we really tend to go overboard in this "cool" approach.

Blame it on mental laziness. It's so much easier to bandy that word about than search for a suitable expression to indicate what we mean.

The advertising industry is equally guilty. It popularises the notion that "cool" denotes a standard, grade or condition that only the "with-it" crowd can relate to. That notion is here to stay, it appears. Everywhere we turn there's nolthing but "cool" responses (no pun intended) from all quarters.

But there's always a danger of "over-cooling" yourself, in a manner of speaking. Imagine you're asked to critique a work of art or a book. Everyone's waiting anxiously for your expert opinion. A person's success or ruin just might hang upon your verdict. Whatever it is, you're expected to explain why you arrive at your conclusion. You put on a knowledgeable (or dreamy) look as befits the item in question. Then you clear your throat, tilt up your chin haughtily and utter that one syllable that's supposed to say it all -- "Cool ..."

Everyone looks at you expectantly, waiting for pearls to drop from your lips. Nothing's forthcoming. You've said it all. Now all you have to offer is a smile or a blank stare. They look at you in disbelief. Their disbelief turns to disgust. Then they discuss among themselves as to what they should do with this cool fool who looks like he's about to drool.

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