Some people use up words, and some people make up words.
Think of the words okeydoke, fuddy-duddy, super-duper, roly-poly, fiddle-faddle, and my mother’s favourite, dillydally. “No dillydallying! We’ve got things to do.” You’ve most likely heard them or used them at some time, but somebody made up those words from their imagination.
RAZZLE-DAZZLE
Take the word razzle-dazzle. If you follow the NHL and the Stanley Cup Playoffs, I guarantee you’ll hear that expression sometime over the seven-game series on a did-you-see-that goal scored by Connor McDavid. The word means “a complex maneuver designed to confuse an opponent” or “brilliance”.
Razzle-dazzle has been in use since the late 1880s as a descriptor of a scarf with a disjointed pattern. During WWI, Allied ships were painted in bright zig-zig patterns to confuse German U-boats. The term was even good enough for kids because when I was one in the early 60s, there was a daily CBC TV program called Razzle Dazzle. Did you watch it?
CHICAGO
If you watched the Broadway musical, Chicago, you heard the song “Razzle Dazzle”. The lyrics imagine the impact of the word:
Give 'em the old
razzle dazzle
Razzle Dazzle 'em
Give 'em an act with lots of flash in it
And the reaction will be passionate
Give 'em the old hocus pocus
Bead and feather 'em
How can they see with sequins in their eyes?
What if your hinges all are rusting?
What if, in fact, you're just disgusting?
Razzle dazzle 'em
And they’ll never catch wise!
Give 'em the old Razzle Dazzle
Razzle dazzle 'em
Give 'em a show that's so splendiferous
Row after row will crow vociferous
Give 'em the old
flim flam flummox
Fool and fracture 'em
How can they hear the truth above the roar?
TRUTH
Good question. How can they hear the truth above the roar? The strategy behind propaganda is, the louder a lie is roared, the easier it is to be believed. When I travelled through Ukraine I asked people, “Is it easier to believe a lie or the truth?” Every person answered, a lie.
The R word for June, razzle-dazzle, is a reminder to be on guard against lies in all their forms.
Lies told to us.
Lies we tell ourselves about ourselves.
Lies that undermine relationships.
The other reminder is in our writing to remember we are truth-tellers.
The truth sets people free.
The gospel of Jesus Christ is the ultimate truth.
Writers who are followers of Jesus are freedom fighters using truth.
There is no need for razzle-dazzle in writing Christian truths. The gospel is brilliance enough.
Thank you
for writing, reading and commenting.
A hearty amen to these words of yours, dear Bob: "There is no need for razzle-dazzle in writing Christian truths. The gospel is brilliance enough."
ReplyDeleteBlessings.
Thank you Wendy. You are always first to affirm.
DeleteI was entertained by your post, but the profound message I also received was unexpected. Thank you for this post! (And that goal WAS spectacular, wasn't it?)
ReplyDeleteMcDavid is all dazzle. Cheering for Florida in the Cup.
DeleteAs a child of the '60s myself, I'm surprised I don't recall the TV show Razzle Dazzle. I probably would have enjoyed it. I certainly enjoyed reading your post, Bob, it was whizbang!
ReplyDeleteGood one, Brenda! I didn’t think of that one.
DeleteHi Bob, thank you for this groovy post and far-out insights into our growing-up years language. I can dig everything you say here. You are right when you note, "There is no need for razzle-dazzle in writing Christian truths. The gospel is brilliance enough." Anything else would be a total bummer. Blessings to you, brother.
ReplyDeleteThe 60s had a language all its own, eh? Blessings back at you, Alan!
DeleteThat was a fun post bring back memories from a long ago and enjoyable, indeed thank you Brenda Wood
ReplyDeleteThanks for a wonderful post with words down memory lane. And what a beautiful conclusion that others have mentioned. It resonates all around: "There is no need for razzle-dazzle in writing Christian truths. The gospel is brilliance enough."
ReplyDelete