Photo by Etienne
Girardet on Unsplash
What is in a word?
That is an old question. Often
what is in the word may not be what the author intended. The result can be humorous, and sometimes
insightful.
Before retiring from the American Bankers
Association, I became acquainted with a couple of examples where perhaps the wrong
word presented an insightful meaning. Listening
to a seminar broadcast I heard the speaker explain the “overreaching concern”
of his particular program. Since the beginning
of the Great Cessation and related lockdowns, I have heard many overreaching
concerns expressed. Perhaps we may learn
from them.
On another occasion, in reference to money management, I
became acquainted similarly by insightful accident with the term “asset
allegation.” I think that many a loan
officer or bank examiner has had to come to terms with cases of asset allegation.
In 1775 the English playwright Richard Brinsley Sheridan
introduced us to Mrs. Malaprop, who delightfully uses words in unintended ways,
at least unintended by whoever created the words. His play, “The Rivals,” is a classic of
English comedy. In one example, Mrs. Malaprop,
trying to convince her niece to give up on a young man of interest, expresses
the wish that Lydia, the niece, would “illiterate him” from her memory. In recent days, I think that we have all come
across efforts by some to “illiterate” events from our
historical memory. Much to her happiness,
Lydia ignored the advice.
Mrs. Malaprop, quite displeased with Lydia’s response, cautions
her niece not to “extirpate” herself from the matter, explaining to the young
girl that Malaprop has “proof controvertible” for her case. Again, in recent days many have indeed been called
upon to “extirpate” themselves or their ideas, prodded by noisy voices supported
by much “proof controvertible.”
In conversation, discussing what she considers proper
education, Mrs. Malaprop recommends boarding school, where the student could
obtain “a supercilious knowledge in accounts”.
I may admit that considering the CECL financial accounting rule, I have been tempted
to wonder to what degree “a supercilious knowledge in accounts” might have had
a role in its development.
I would also wonder, as I compare the variety of approaches
across the globe to the current virus, whether some policymakers were subjected
to Mrs. Malaprop’s advice that youth be “instructed in geometry” that they “might
know something of the contagious countries”.
As a final reference, of many wonderful examples in the play, I would
call upon Mrs. Malaprop’s advice that proper education of Lydia might lead the
dear niece to “reprehend the true meaning of what she is saying.” I have heard and read many things in recent
days by many people and mused whether the time would arrive when these people
would come to reprehend the true meaning of what they were saying.
In my days of Civil War reenacting I became familiar with the Union song, “Grafted Into the Army.” Composed by Henry Clay Work, it pretends to be written in the words of a widow, immigrant to the United States, lamenting her son Jimmy being “grafted” into the army. Military jargon can be difficult enough for those not in the army, even more so for someone arrived in a new society. Jimmy’s mother does express pride in her son “Dressed up in his unicorn.” Intended to provide lighthearted moments in a dark time, the song also tells of the widow mother complaining at “the captain’s fore-quarters” about her son being too young. Many sons were too young, and too many did not return. Mixed in the mirth is the sad message that Jimmy’s “brothers fell / Way down in Alabarmy.”
An anecdote from dining at a restaurant: I had occasion to visit
the restroom. The following instruction,
printed in large letters, was displayed prominently over the sink: Employees must wash hands. I waited there some minutes, pondering the
appearance lately of many strange requirements, but at last I gained the
courage to break the rule and washed my hands myself.
