My husband and I are huge fans of old black and white
movies, especially what is referred to as “film noir”. While we think
that words and their meanings don’t evolve
that much throughout the years, we have found that indeed they do. It
took us a while to catch on to what the actors were referring to when using
certain words….for instance the word “tight”. Back in the 30s and 40s, if you were “tight”, it did not mean you were physically fit and in good shape. Nor did it mean that you and so and so were really close friends. It meant you were drunk. In the Merriam Webster Dictionary, one has to scroll all the way down to definition #6 to find that meaning. While it states “somewhat drunk”, we feel that it means toasted or wasted. Why? Because in the “film noir” style movies, no one is ever somewhat drunk. Have you watched those movies? Those people started drinking and smoking the minute their feet hit the floor at 2:00 in the afternoon. They were not early risers because of all those hangovers!
Just giving you the warning…if you are in a bar or just out
and about, and someone walks up and asks if you are “tight” or tells you that
you look “tight”, you might want to ask what they are referring to before you
respond. :-)
Just sayin’,
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