@LX013…..that’s the whole point, he doesn’t want to be understood. He’s just been challenged to a duel of wits with his six-year-old inasmuch as words that are invented ad lib……..so by being challenged knows that all he needs to do is to fight fire with fire, and sooner rather than later will win this little war of attrition. Back to the drawing board, Calvin!
Wait until Calvin learns that one can use exactly the same vocabulary, syntax and grammar and still mean something entirely different from your audience. Then he’ll really be dangerous.
And as Tom Lehrer once said, Speaking of love, one problem that recurs more and more frequently these days, in books and plays and movies, is the inability of people to communicate with the people they love; husbands and wives who can’t communicate, children who can’t communicate with their parents, and so on. And the characters in these books and plays and so on (and in real life, I might add) spend hours bemoaning the fact that they can’t communicate. I feel that if a person can’t communicate, the very least he can do is to shut up."
this strip reminded me of the lyrics to an old Shel Silverstein song called “It Does Not Pay to be Hip”http://www.mudcat.org/@displaysong.cfm?SongID=3069
There will always be slang words, in every generation. But, of the three terms that Dad used, two of them were actually just shortened words retaining the same meaning. “Marvy” “Fab”Calvin is talking more about giving an entirely different meaning to the same word.Remember in “Back to the Future” when 80’s Marty kept saying things were “heavy” to 50’s Doc? Doc, being a scientist, wondered if something had happened to pyhsics in the years between ‘50 and ’80 to make matter weigh more than it did. Even so, that slang has it’s roots in the same meaning – a concept is “heavy” if it is difficult to think about.Words can be fun. There is another Calvin strip where Calvin talks about the practise of “verbing” nouns. That was a good one, too.
I am 81 yrs old and I read the funnies first every morning because they make more sense than the news. I can remember when civil rights only meant being polite to your elders and being able to vote. Now with all that is going wrong with our country you cannot move without violating someone civil rights.
The politicians learned long ago that words can have different meanings between the speaker and the listener. This way, they can make all kinds of promises, never keep them, and say that they never lied. We just “misunderstood” them.
No one likes spam, even people who like Spam. If your wife is hot, it doesn’t mean you need to turn the thermostat down, just keep an eye on her. If you’re cool, you probably don’t need a coat, because your too tough to care. Most women will run from a mouse, unless they need it to scroll. Getting your ticket punched, doesn’t mean you went to the theater. et. al.
And then there is Cockney Rhyming Slang, technical jargon of many kinds, bureaucratic jargon (which can be hilarious as well as grim), and similar argots.
English!!! UGHH!! Why do we park on a driveway & drive on the parkway? Why is a pair of pants one while a pair socks is two? Why are they called baseball “Stands” if we “Sit”?
The really interesting thing is that this is from before spam meant unwanted email. Calvin here is trying to give it a different meaning, probably what his dad would say was bogus.
BE THIS GUY over 12 years ago
Love the father’s expression in the first panel
rentier over 12 years ago
I can’t understand, what dad is saying in the last panel!
Veridian over 12 years ago
Diggin’ Dads Vibe in panel four Man! Think I’ll go listen to “Sunshine Superman” by Donovan now…….
ong236 over 12 years ago
That probably “im gonna set the house on fire now… chao”
GROG Premium Member over 12 years ago
I don’t think they ever spoke the same language. I think I’ll go listen to the whole Donovan greatest hits CD now.
King_Shark over 12 years ago
Dad groks the groovy vibes of Calvin’s idea. It’s, like, far-out acid, man!
rogue53 over 12 years ago
Yeah, I’m old enough to remember when gay meant happy.
in.amongst over 12 years ago
Wonder if Calvin will grow up to be like his dad – a closet weirdo!
Sciatic over 12 years ago
groovy
knarfus over 12 years ago
@LX013…..that’s the whole point, he doesn’t want to be understood. He’s just been challenged to a duel of wits with his six-year-old inasmuch as words that are invented ad lib……..so by being challenged knows that all he needs to do is to fight fire with fire, and sooner rather than later will win this little war of attrition. Back to the drawing board, Calvin!
Rakkav over 12 years ago
Wait until Calvin learns that one can use exactly the same vocabulary, syntax and grammar and still mean something entirely different from your audience. Then he’ll really be dangerous.
rentier over 12 years ago
Dad is sure, he will win, he shows it with his fingers!
orinoco womble over 12 years ago
“Man, you sass that hoopy Ford Prefect? Now there’s a frood who reall knows where his towel is.”
Phapada over 12 years ago
How are you to day ?
Phapada over 12 years ago
Hi Boy I love your Smile o day..
Phapada over 12 years ago
marvy Fab far out mean pls ?
BigDaveGlass over 12 years ago
Diggit Man, peace out….
gmu328 over 12 years ago
ah yes … the sweet bonding of dad and son
Brian Fink over 12 years ago
Ahhh, the makings of a politician.
And as Tom Lehrer once said, Speaking of love, one problem that recurs more and more frequently these days, in books and plays and movies, is the inability of people to communicate with the people they love; husbands and wives who can’t communicate, children who can’t communicate with their parents, and so on. And the characters in these books and plays and so on (and in real life, I might add) spend hours bemoaning the fact that they can’t communicate. I feel that if a person can’t communicate, the very least he can do is to shut up."
38lowell over 12 years ago
Wait until Calvin gets into high school and college.Might as well be Greek!
battle of plattsburgh over 12 years ago
I think Calvin was a writer for the short-lived TV series “Firefly”.
witewater over 12 years ago
this strip reminded me of the lyrics to an old Shel Silverstein song called “It Does Not Pay to be Hip”http://www.mudcat.org/@displaysong.cfm?SongID=3069
mkd_1218 over 12 years ago
You go, Dad!
Stephen Post over 12 years ago
60’s slang: marvy = marvelous, fab = fabulous, far out = nice
Nighthawks Premium Member over 12 years ago
‘exclusionary code’ is what comes to mind over some of those goings on at ‘Rose is a Rose’but that’s just me
Happy, happy, happy!!! Premium Member over 12 years ago
right armgravyfarm outthat’ll scroll your nerd…
Karaboo2 over 12 years ago
Whoosh Calvin. Why don’t you hoof it over to your chicks pad and see if she can dig it too. Hahaha.
Ken in Ohio over 12 years ago
There will always be slang words, in every generation. But, of the three terms that Dad used, two of them were actually just shortened words retaining the same meaning. “Marvy” “Fab”Calvin is talking more about giving an entirely different meaning to the same word.Remember in “Back to the Future” when 80’s Marty kept saying things were “heavy” to 50’s Doc? Doc, being a scientist, wondered if something had happened to pyhsics in the years between ‘50 and ’80 to make matter weigh more than it did. Even so, that slang has it’s roots in the same meaning – a concept is “heavy” if it is difficult to think about.Words can be fun. There is another Calvin strip where Calvin talks about the practise of “verbing” nouns. That was a good one, too.
LingeeWhiz over 12 years ago
Why does everyone seem compelled to explain all the slang words?
cosman over 12 years ago
I’m still recovering from over lubrication last night..
uncledad_99 over 12 years ago
I am 81 yrs old and I read the funnies first every morning because they make more sense than the news. I can remember when civil rights only meant being polite to your elders and being able to vote. Now with all that is going wrong with our country you cannot move without violating someone civil rights.
Ron Cavin over 12 years ago
Psyche-o-delic, man; outta sight!
rogue53 over 12 years ago
Pry txt my peeps l8r n hook up 4 chow, cya.
alan.gurka over 12 years ago
That is so rad!
thewizofaz over 12 years ago
Dad’s chair has polka dots tody – not flowers. A bit more manly, but still has ruffles.
Phapada over 12 years ago
The#1BoiseStateFan over 12 years ago
That may TOTALLY be spam. One thing i hate is being sick, and i am today :(
alan.gurka over 12 years ago
The politicians learned long ago that words can have different meanings between the speaker and the listener. This way, they can make all kinds of promises, never keep them, and say that they never lied. We just “misunderstood” them.
Rickapolis over 12 years ago
I guess the chair is on wheels, the way it spun around there.
Vonne Anton over 12 years ago
Goan reffer slathering blathering this gathering, an’ only zip da lip for the hip. Grok?
Puddleglum2 over 12 years ago
@samvadi,It seems that Calvin has come out of the closet. He’s a weirdo, openly!
Puddleglum2 over 12 years ago
Apparently, Calvin doesn’t realize that being unable to communicate leads to division and ultimately downfall.
LittleSister18 over 12 years ago
Somehow I don’t think dad cares.
pif71vder over 12 years ago
Arguably best, Bill.
tbritt99 over 12 years ago
That’s the cat’s pajamas.
Number Three over 12 years ago
Haha! Love Dad’s peace symbol.
xxx
Cinquefoil over 12 years ago
Misusing words is hella dry, broslice. It’s raw as bubbles.
coffeeturtle over 12 years ago
Those crazy beatniks! :-)
Popeyesforearm over 12 years ago
Bonaroo.Totally organic.
rogue53 over 12 years ago
OK, if that’s the way you roll.
rogue53 over 12 years ago
No one likes spam, even people who like Spam. If your wife is hot, it doesn’t mean you need to turn the thermostat down, just keep an eye on her. If you’re cool, you probably don’t need a coat, because your too tough to care. Most women will run from a mouse, unless they need it to scroll. Getting your ticket punched, doesn’t mean you went to the theater. et. al.
sidg11 over 12 years ago
I feel like I recently read this strip, am I imagining things?
ratlum over 12 years ago
I learned new language today signing back into my comic account .
khpage over 12 years ago
’Twas brillig on/in the slimey tove – or words to that effect…
whitecarabao over 12 years ago
And then there is Cockney Rhyming Slang, technical jargon of many kinds, bureaucratic jargon (which can be hilarious as well as grim), and similar argots.
eskimo quinn over 12 years ago
Love the expression on his face on 3rd panel…LOL
calvinsfriend110 over 12 years ago
That kid’s gonna get a scholarship if he’s that smart!
rogue53 over 12 years ago
There’s a reason the languages were confused at Babel.
edonline over 12 years ago
You have to admire Calvin’s dad. While most parents would be driven nuts by the kid, this dad just plays it smooth and goes along with things.
bvallinino over 12 years ago
English!!! UGHH!! Why do we park on a driveway & drive on the parkway? Why is a pair of pants one while a pair socks is two? Why are they called baseball “Stands” if we “Sit”?
Joyce Melton over 12 years ago
The really interesting thing is that this is from before spam meant unwanted email. Calvin here is trying to give it a different meaning, probably what his dad would say was bogus.
stamps over 12 years ago
sunchaunzo over 10 years ago
Cool beans!