Sunday, May 10, 2009

The Evolution of Abusive Vocabulary

When I was growing up, to "snuff" somebody meant to put your hand, the side of your hand in particular, on their forehead right above the nose, and then to push their head backwards in a dismissive fashion. To use your whole palm on the side of their face was more like a "mush."

Now these days a "snuff" means a punch. When did this happen?

I don't condone snuffing or mushing of any sort.

8 comments:

Shotta Rose said...

I think the ol' head-push is worse than a punch in some ways. Because it might provoke the recipient to a punch, but then he/she gets blamed for throwing the first one, as if the original push is not an invasion of physical privacy.

Where I grew up, a 'Z-Wot' (pronounced like 'zzzzzzzzwat!' while being performed) was a palm-slap to the back of the head. An 'A-wot' was to the front by extension. L-wot and R-wot were only used when circumstances inhibited the beloved 'Z'.

These were actually pretty violent acts, usually performed on the unsuspecting in the middle of classes, preferably while the victim was asking a question. Only nerds as ask questions, you see.

Some people 'wotted back, but only scholar-athletes.

And this was in the suburbs!

Homeboy Sandman said...

thanks for dropping that knowledge shotta.

what about when cats used to grab the back of cats' neck and then rub the palm across the back of the neck ferociously and be like "gimme mines." cats out here used to call that "gills."

Crafty Chick said...

I only "mush" with love.

Yes, its possible.

J57 said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
J57 said...

I'm born and raised on Long Island... "snuff" meant punch out on LI since as long as I could remember... probably first heard it like 10 years ago in early high school...

Unknown said...

snuff was always punching somebody - mush was always the "head shove" or whatever - i condone neither as well

evierobbie. said...

it's been a long time coming....i've finally joined the blogspot world too homie.

Vee (Scratch) said...

Gills WERE classic.

My only problem with gills, mushs, and snuffing was that usually small, weaker, nerdy kids were picked on. Which I always thought was really the act of an insecure coward.