A definition: civility – noun: formal politeness and courtesy in behavior or speech.
Another definition: skewer – verb: to criticize (someone) sharply.
As I was watching the President call a reporter “piggy”, it occurred to me that it seems we have lost something – a sense of civility. I think that it may be long gone, but if we are going to raise (lower?) ourselves to insulting and name-calling, at the very least we should strive to elevate the boorish fifth-level sniping to the gentle art of skewering.
For example, the “fourth estate” has of late been called “failing”, a “disgrace”, “fake news”, and more – all very droll!. But Spiro Agnew managed to impart the same disdain with a simple sentence: “the nattering nabobs of negativism”. What a fantastic alliteration – simple, yet it gets the point across.
One of the most famous of course is Winston Churchill’s retort to the Lady, commenting, “ If I were your wife, I would put poison in your coffee”. To which Winston replied, “If I were your husband, I’d drink it”. Whether or not the great statesmen actually said it has been the subject of debate, but in any event, it is a classic in the gentle art of skewering.
And in response to George Bernard Shaw’s “I am enclosing two tickets to the first night of my new play, bring a friend – if you have one. Churchill replied, “Cannot possibly attend the first night; will attend second, if there is one”.
Mark Twain was also a master. Some classics:
Of a much praised book by Henry James: “Once you put it down, you simply can’t pick it up”. Or, suppose you were an idiot, and suppose you work in Congress, but I repeat myself.
A little-known physicist, Wolfgang Ernst Pauli, had earned the nickname “Wrath of God” for his cutting judgments.
Such as chiding a colleague as “so young and already so unknown”, and commenting on a paper as “it’s not right, but it doesn’t deserve to be called wrong either”.
And of course, the Master – Shakespeare. There have been volumes written about his slurs and insults. There are classics such as:
“ Away thou rag, thou quantity, thou remnant” (The Taming of the Shrew)
“ You are not worth another word, else I’d call you knave “ (All’s Well That Ends Well)
“ Are his wits safe? Is he not light of brain?” (Othello)
And of course, so many more.
Finally, because we live in a world of AI, I asked Gemini for some “subtle and sophisticated insult”. It came up with a few. Some samples:
“It’s truly endearing how you’ve maintained such a fresh perspective, unburdened by the complexities of actual experience.”
“You possess a delightful kind of unshakeable confidence, especially considering the objective results.”
“I’m always impressed by your ability to immediately grasp the simplest aspects of any difficult situation.”
But given all that, I would ask, forget the skewering, and just be civil. At the very least, say please and thank you, and be kind.
But failing that, if you absolutely must insult someone, please do so with a bit of class.
Or else, as Shakespeare also wrote: “In civility thou seem’st so empty”!
John Stumpf
Talbot County
Bob Kopec says
Yes, civility is gone, but Trump never had any to begin with. And,he continues to display the lack of it on an almost daily basis.
deidra lyngard says
Wonderful! Thanks for this much-needed lighter look at this topic which is getting so much attention.
Marty Sikes says
Very clever. Thank you.
Sharron Casssavant says
Ah – the lost world of wit. I enjoyed your remarks but was astonished by Gimini’s response.