Words
Yesterday at Holy Name, a first grader said “Throw me something, Mister” as his teacher was handing out Rice Krispie Treat snacks. And I started thinking about all of the things people say here that have no meaning everywhere else. All cities have them, of course; there are little linguistic delicacies pertaining to particular locations anywhere you go. There are sayings that outsiders don’t understand; there are phrases that tourists can’t say right; there are words, strings, melodies that you can sing only if you live here.
This is not to say that other places don’t have as many or as neat of ones as New Orleans does. But it’s a comforting notion to be able to recognize or employ these little sayings. Because what it implies is residency, community and solidarity.
