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Literary
April 14, 1949
The Brooksville Journal
Brooksville, Hernando County, Florida
What is this article about?
A psychological advice column exploring cultural meanings of kisses in relationships, the nature of wisecracking as lacking true humor, and how language influences attitudes toward alcohol consumption and abstinence.
Clipping
OCR Quality
95%
Excellent
Full Text
MIRROR
of
your
MIND
Kisses Mean Different Things
Answer: That may depend, not on how "really" she loves him, but on what a kiss means to her. And remember, kisses mean quite different things to different people.
In pre-war Japan, for instance, a kiss was considered so extreme an intimacy that the censors cut all kissing scenes out of the movies. At the other extreme, I know social groups in which a kiss is regarded as merely a bit more cordial than a handshake. But courtship is difficult when certain actions appear terribly important to one partner and trivial to the other.
Do "wisecrackers" have a sense of humor?
Answer: Not always, at any rate. The typical wisecrack is a form of wit, the essence of which is to deflate someone by making him look ridiculous, and particularly, doing this under conditions in which he can't show resentment because it is "only a gag." It is closer to the practical joke which is almost pure sadism—than to humor, which prompts us to laugh at ourselves as well as others. The wisecracker who is short on humor will betray the fact by getting angry if you suggest he is ever "unintentionally funny."
Can words help drive people to drink?
Answer: Yes, and I do not mean only "harsh words." For the feelings with which words become associated may affect our attitude toward the things they describe. A Swedish psychologist, Dr. O. Sundet, calls attention to the fact that in the Scandinavian languages the words which describe a person who does not drink have a disagreeable implication, while those for intoxication suggest sympathetic feelings.
To make abstinence from liquor popular would take a new national vocabulary, which would be a long, hard job.
of
your
MIND
Kisses Mean Different Things
Answer: That may depend, not on how "really" she loves him, but on what a kiss means to her. And remember, kisses mean quite different things to different people.
In pre-war Japan, for instance, a kiss was considered so extreme an intimacy that the censors cut all kissing scenes out of the movies. At the other extreme, I know social groups in which a kiss is regarded as merely a bit more cordial than a handshake. But courtship is difficult when certain actions appear terribly important to one partner and trivial to the other.
Do "wisecrackers" have a sense of humor?
Answer: Not always, at any rate. The typical wisecrack is a form of wit, the essence of which is to deflate someone by making him look ridiculous, and particularly, doing this under conditions in which he can't show resentment because it is "only a gag." It is closer to the practical joke which is almost pure sadism—than to humor, which prompts us to laugh at ourselves as well as others. The wisecracker who is short on humor will betray the fact by getting angry if you suggest he is ever "unintentionally funny."
Can words help drive people to drink?
Answer: Yes, and I do not mean only "harsh words." For the feelings with which words become associated may affect our attitude toward the things they describe. A Swedish psychologist, Dr. O. Sundet, calls attention to the fact that in the Scandinavian languages the words which describe a person who does not drink have a disagreeable implication, while those for intoxication suggest sympathetic feelings.
To make abstinence from liquor popular would take a new national vocabulary, which would be a long, hard job.
What sub-type of article is it?
Essay
What themes does it cover?
Love Romance
Social Manners
Temperance
What keywords are associated?
Kisses
Cultural Differences
Wisecrackers
Humor
Sadism
Words
Drinking
Temperance
Psychology
Literary Details
Title
Mirror Of Your Mind
Form / Style
Question And Answer Prose Reflections
Key Lines
That May Depend, Not On How "Really" She Loves Him, But On What A Kiss Means To Her. And Remember, Kisses Mean Quite Different Things To Different People.
The Typical Wisecrack Is A Form Of Wit, The Essence Of Which Is To Deflate Someone By Making Him Look Ridiculous... It Is Closer To The Practical Joke Which Is Almost Pure Sadism—Than To Humor, Which Prompts Us To Laugh At Ourselves As Well As Others.
For The Feelings With Which Words Become Associated May Affect Our Attitude Toward The Things They Describe... To Make Abstinence From Liquor Popular Would Take A New National Vocabulary, Which Would Be A Long, Hard Job.