[Publib] customers and euphemisms

[Robert L. Balliot]

I remember reading some of the most gory monster magazines as a child.

It is interesting that we do not have the same reflexive response to
violence

as a theme as we do to things that may have even the slightest sexual

connotation.

 

When my father was the science Librarian at Wesleyan, I helped him set

up an exhibit of microscopes and other historic optical devices they were

co-exhibiting with Yale.  We went up into the attic at Olin
<http://www.wesleyan.edu/libr/olinhome/graphics/11.gif>  and he handed 

me a box to carry.  He said "read the label" - it said something to the 

effect of 'Indian Mummy Head'.  A ten year old in the attic with a mummy

head was ok, but if a ten year old was given a Playboy it would have

been scandalous.

 

The issue of euphemisms with sexual innuendo can certainly be carried

way to far.  New uses of the language create problems with words in

common usage.  'Idaho' Librarian is an excellent example. 

 

*************************************************

Robert L. Balliot

Skype: RBalliot

Bristol, Rhode Island

http://oceanstatelibrarian.com/contact.htm

*************************************************

  _____  

From: publib-bounces at webjunction.org [mailto:publib-bounces at webjunction.org]
On Behalf Of Tiffany Hayes
Sent: Thursday, June 11, 2009 8:18 PM
To: publib at webjunction.org
Subject: [Publib] customers and euphemisms

 

Here we call them customers, but I do have a colleague who calls them her
clients.  

 

Re: Adult Services, we call it Information Services.  But we have had
customers get a little upset when hearing about our collection of
comic-style novels for customers over the age of 18 . . . somehow Adult
Graphic Novels sounds a whole lot worse than it actually is!

 

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> 

Speaking of euphemisms, I've stopped wearing my name tag at work because
I'm tired of people making jokes about "Adult Services". How has this
unfortunate name persisted in the library world for so long? But I
shouldn't complain--at least we're not advertising our "Adult Books" and
"Adult Movies" collections... J
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Tiffany Hayes

Cumberland County Public Library

& Information Center

North Regional Branch

855 McArthur Rd.

Fayetteville, NC 28311

910-822-1998 ext.231

thayes at cumberland.lib.nc.us

 


 

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