By Holly A. Bell
It was an interesting week for professorhollybell.com as I caused quite a kerfuffle with my article on corporate/private jets and managed to raise the ire of people around the world. Some people even implied (politely) that I had a cognitive dysfunction or might require a laxative. Fortunately I have thick skin, a relatively stable disposition, and support their right to disagree.
This was the week before classes start at the university that employs me. It’s kind of like a weeklong bureaucracy intensive course for incoming students. We teach them about bureaucracy through endless paperwork, meetings, long lines, miscommunications, and cumbersome processes. If they pass the bureaucracy practicum they’re in and we let them attend classes. And you thought higher education wasn’t preparing students for the real world!
About That Kerfuffle
I’ve always been more of a “counter” than a “speller”, but as part of my new “stop and smell the roses” strategy of 2012 I’m starting to pay more attention to words. As a result there are three words I’m advocating for this month. The first word we don’t use enough is a word used in Britain quite a bit: Kerfuffle. It’s just a fun word and commotions and disturbances can’t last very long when you refer to them using a word that sounds like a breakfast pastry. But please, don’t ask for a kerfuffle with your morning coffee, it could get messy.
The second word I’m advocating for is: Gay. Not in the derogatory sense, but as it was originally intended. You remember: Having or showing a merry, lively mood. I figure there’s no better way to get young people to stop hurling it as an insult than for old people like me to start using it on a daily basis. Once they quit giggling they’ll get bored and drop it. Let’s take back this word!
The final word is: Huzzah! Considered an archaic English interjection of joy (like Hooray!), I think we should bring it back. Consider using it with an exclamation point.
So, gentle readers, your assignment is to attempt to make these words part of your vocabulary and hopefully your gay mood won’t be destroyed by a kerfuffle. The weekend approaches. Huzzah!
Image courtesy of Paul
I think the proper spelling is “huzzah,” but I am all for it!
Huzzah!
Eric, You are absolutely right and I will fix it!
Kerfuffle is one of my favorite words!
There you go, yet one more thing we have in common.
I read some of the online kerfuffle regarding your blog post on LinkedIn. I was surprised at some of the reactions.
It didn\’t surprise me Peter. Private jets have a symbolism problem. For so many they symbolize the excesses of the rich and/or class/income disparities. It is assumed that anyone who uses a private jet has stolen money from someone else to get it. This is not to say that everyone who owns or uses private jets are a clean and pure as the wind driven snow. I get that, but as I said in one of my responses on LinkedIn, the jobs they provide for those who fly, manufacture, or manage their operations makes them a symbol of jobs for me as well as prosperity and upward mobility.
Holly, I did read your response and I agree that they are signs of jobs. Taxing conspicuous consumption may be expedient but, like you, I have my suspicions on how effective it would be. I repeat an aphorism that may only be partially true but it’s worth thinking about, “The rich never pay taxes.” That is, I believe taxes on the rich and super-rich (probably should define what that means) will likely be passed down via increased costs to the middle class by a variety of means. There seems to be some correlation between a healthy market and a strong middle class. The question is, do taxes on the top 5% increase the strength of the middle class. My suspicion is no.
Why, just last week I had a gay old time, eating a kerfuffle for breakfast while flying to Nassau in my Lear Jet. Huzzah!
I\’ve found Lear Jets to not be roomy enough for large kerfuffles with breakfast. Someone always ends up angry and has nowhere to stomp off to. Gaiety is more acceptable in these close quarters.