Mencken’s The American Language is a fascinating look at the ever changing nature of language. His premise is that the English spoken by the English differs significantly enough from that spoken by United States residents and that they are, in fact, two very different languages spoken by two very different cultures.This book's 1921 publication date underlines the changing nature of language. Many, many words given as examples here are no longer used in this country 90 years after the publication of The American Language. Often in the course of reading this book, I came across words Mencken would refer to as being commonplace in American speech but that were news to me. Jap-a-lac is a fine example. What the heck is a jap-a-lac? Turns out it was a product manufactured by the Glidden Varnish Company and later loaned its name to a rye whiskey based cocktail.Speaking of cocktails, Mencken lists several in the chapter Expanding The Vocabulary, originating in the States, including, "horse's neck, Mamie Taylor, Tom And Jerry, Tom Collins, John Collins, bishop, stone wall, gin fix, brandy champarelle, golden slipper, hari kari, locomotive, whiskey daisy, blue blazer, black stripe, white plush and brandy crusta." The more alcoholically inclined among us will recognize several of these but many have passed on to the great cocktail graveyard in the sky.Also interesting were the musical terms from page 132. Mencken says, "In music the English cling to an archaic and unintelligible nomenclature, long since abandoned in America." These terms include breve for a double whole note, semibreve for a whole note, minim for a half note, crotchet for a quarter note, quaver for an eighth note and so forth, all apparently deriving from something called "plain chant," the precursor to Gregorian Chant.Another change since '21 is that we are significantly less apt to use racist terminology or ideas, especially in a scholarly text of this nature. Mencken is clearly educated and education is the ostensible enemy of ignorance. However, in the chapter Loan Words And Non English Influences, Mencken states that a number of loan words from the Chinese, "have remained California localisms, among them such verbs as yen (to desire strongly, as a Chinaman desires opium).” On page 211, Mencken refers to an African American as a "darkey." Or how about, "But in the United States there is a class of well to do commercial Jews of a peculiarly ignorant and obnoxious type - chiefly department store owners, professional Jewish philanthropists and their attendant rabbis, lawyers, doctors and so on..." This sort of thinking was perhaps more acceptable in the 20's but would be met today with derision if not outright animosity.I was unaware that, at one time, the word tenderloin was used to denote a "gay and dubious neighborhood." The word apparently originates from Alexander "Clubber" Williams, an 1870's New York police captain. After a transfer from an obscure precinct to one in West Thirtieth Street, Williams stated, "I've been having chuck steak ever since I've been on the force and now I'm going to have a bit of tenderloin."In examining the American fondness for acronyms, Mencken discusses O.K. and its origins. One etymology has it coming from the American Indian word, okeh, meaning "so be it." I was tickled to see Mencken reference Okeh Records, which he refers to as, "a popular series of phonograph records."The American Language is successful as a study of English but also functions as a history text. It is packed full of facts and information, though sometimes things take on a sort of listing quality (not like a ship, like list after list after list) and things often seem a bit random. Regardless, this book would be very interesting to the philologically minded.
No, not a dry read at all! Despite the 1930's publication, it's fascinating to read the opinions of the transformation of the English language on American soil...and its effects on the global populate via 2008. I loved the original derivation of words, especially growing up "Pennsylvania Dutch". The best part was sounding out the words with their regional dialect.Did you know that "yes, siree!" came from the Irish CCD "Yes, certainly"?I read this after hearing David Milch describe the writing on HBO's Deadwood. He's such an amazing individual, I love to hear him talk about anything; his insight on human nature is spot on.Maybe I'll get around to reading the two additional companions at about 800 each!
What do You think about American Language (1936)?
This is the only history of the American language I've ever read and I can't imagine that there's a better one. You either like Mencken or you don't, but one thing no one fact is beyond disagreement: Mencken was arguably the most well-read man of his era, if not all time. It's fitting that a man with no more than an 8th grade formal education compiled what this epic tome on the history of the American language. And it is the AMERICAN language, the well-worn quip about "two people divided by a common language" not withstanding. American English is a rich and vibrant language with a history quite distinct from any other variant. We have our own words, our own pronunciations. Mencken systematically goes through the language, pointing out what we kept from the Brits, what we added on our own and what we picked up from successive waves of immigration. All along the way, we're treated to Mencken's trademark wit. This is a must read for any fan of Mencken or anyone interested in a comprehensive history of the American mother tongue.
—Nicholas Pell
