Opus 2011-315, New Terms: Classical

“Classical” is not really a new term but like so many other things in our diverse, post-modern culture it has been given a new meaning. 

I was sitting in a restaurant and listening to the music in the background.  It was of a classical nature.  I am aware that all called classical is not technically Classical but might be Romantic or Baroque.  My mind jumped to the way the term classical is misused. 

People talk about “classic” rock.  How can this be.  They are talking about recordings that were made only a few years ago.  Classic means something that has stood the test of time.  It means that which has become the standard.  That does not happen in the life-span of an oil change.

We have a way of taking meaningful words and diluting them to the point of emptiness.  We can’t stop it but we can, as individuals, do the best we can to use words correctly and slow the deterioration.

homo unius libri