Hip to the Groovy Scene

Many years ago, when I was an articled student, one of senior partners was extolling the virtues of one of the firm's young associates.  He thought highly of the associate and expressed that the young man had the makings of a master litigator.  Indeed, the partner predicted that nothing, would ever stand in the way of the young man's success, not even the fact that he was  "a little light in the loafers".    

I choked a bit on my coffee right then.  In case you haven't figured it out, "light in the loafers" is an antiquated - and terribly derogatory - way of saying  that someone is gay.  Feigning a cough, I put my hand up to hide the corners of my mouth, which were turning upwards, and I tried to narrow my eyes back from the temporary saucers they had become.  Then in my early twenties, I had heard that these "generation gap" moments would come but still, I was taken aback.  This was a fellow who was open-minded and modern in his thinking, but his language just hadn't kept pace.  What unintended faux pas was next?  Would he introduce his wife as "the little woman" at the next firm/client function?  Or refer to Oprah Winfrey as "negro" in some casual conversation?  I vowed right then and there that I would always be careful to keep my language current.

Some expressions, though old, are timeless.  I worked for a delightful man for years who used golden oldies like "You can't make a silk purse out of a sow's ear" or "We need to make sure our powder is dry".  He also used to the term roger, which always made me chuckle and which, in my view, made him seem all the more well-brought-up.  

I thought I was doing all right, until I had a discussion with Daniel about his birthday part. His dad and I planned a scavenger hunt and skills games for the party.  Although we could give him some general information, we had to keep the details to ourselves so that all of the guests would be on a level playing field.  I assured Daniel, however, that  his party would be "a rockin' good time."

"Mom", Daniel chastised me.  "Don't ever say that!  It's cave man language".

What??!!!  I was horrified.  I use the terms "rockin' " and "rock" all the time.  I've been using those words for years . . .  I also use "awesome", "beauty" and "hoser" all of which are, I now understand, out of vogue or non-existent. 

Yet, I couldn't accept that I was uncool (I've checked - "cool" is still used in common kid parlance). Daniel was surely mistaken.  My friends use "rockin'" all the time, and they're cool.  Of course, they are also in their mid-forties, like me, and trying desperately to connect linguistically with their kids and the younger crowd generally.   Could I be wrong?

Feeling guilty for doubting Daniel's "coolness" but nevertheless needing to find out for sure, I consulted our summer student, who in his twenties and, currently, the hippest person I know. He was very diplomatic, but, in the end, had to come down in favour of Daniel.  It was devastating.  As hard as I try to be "hip", I fear that my language may be antiquated and I will no doubt become one of those "groovy" parents whose kids roll their eyes and make faces at their friends whenever their parents say something.

These darned kids today . . .