Our language is made up of words and phrases that came into use because of things that were in common use. Now those things are gone, but the words and phrases remain.
Ice boxes are now refrigerators. We still say don't touch that dial when the television set has no dials. Record players are long gone, yet we still say someone is going on like a broken record. How about dial the phone, take a Polaroid, or play a record.
Kids today grow up without slip covers, party lines, percolators, typewriters, photocopiers, records, reel to reel movies, tape recorders, the ice cream man, and bottle openers.
Is it any wonder our language is so had to learn? What's a student to think when they hear "I'm going to run down to the break room and throw this in the ice box."
How about "He's running around like a chicken with its head cut off."
Life was truly exciting when cars had emergency brakes instead of parking breaks, and you went out to shoot the bull with your friends.
Still it's not so much the words, it's realizing the things they stand for no longer exist that makes one feel old.
Remember out there in the peanut gallery you're only as old as you feel.
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