Word: meaningless
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Dates: during 1873-1873
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...word before we close in regard to the tone of the Republican's criticism of the Magenta. We pass by as of little consequence the sneers concerning our "fine-sounding but meaningless" phrases; either the Republican would not find a meaning (which conduct was highly immoral in a paper of such pretensions), or it could not; in which case, either it was stupid, or we admit we were to blame. But when this newspaper implies that we are not to be trusted, as being ignorant whereof we speak, we must protest. Was the Republican conscious that its own title...
...their publications are these manifested, but from various editorials and communications found in those papers we are led to judge that such practices as "burning physics" and "cane rushes" are by no means allowed to die out. On the contrary, every year witnesses additions to the number of meaningless ceremonies. From the Chronicle we learn that '74 in Michigan University is addicted to this sort of thing...
Like beauty ill-attired, our humor clothed in uncouth and meaningless phrases is undiscovered. True, with our limited experience, and wit perhaps, we can hardly expect our efforts to bear even a favorable comparison with the elaborately finished work of a Holmes or Warner, whose humor seldom offends in essence or expression; yet if we would succeed at all in this vein, our style, like theirs, must be characterized by simplicity and elegance, our productions must possess pith and raciness...
...aspiring Freshman, acting without the sanction of his class, has produced a composition which he playfully styles "The Jolly Boys of '76." The song is silly and meaningless throughout. Here is the chorus...
...talked proudly of the Harvard Washington Corps and the Navy, whose flags are long since food for moths, and whose very names are meaningless to us. For aught I know, he might have been an officer in one of these, and led his troop down from their armory in the top of Hollis, or presided at the clam-chowder served up on the annual cruise of the other. He might have been (though no one would have guessed it from his bent body and trembling hands as he sat there in the dying firelight) leader of the trembling crowd...