In this age of 'whatever, ' Americans are becoming slaves to the new tyranny of nonchalance. " James Morris

George F. Will
About This Quote

The phrase “whatever” has become so common in everyday conversations that it is easy to forget the insincerity. “Whatever” implies that there is no point in trying to be better or more because if you don’t try to be better, then there is no need to do anything at all. James Morris speaks about this feeling of being nonchalant in an article he wrote for The Wall Street Journal titled "The Age of Nonchalance." He says that the word “whatever” derives its meaning from the Latin “quidam,” which means "somebody" and refers to someone who is not worthy of respect. Morris compares this usage of the word with the way we use the word “nobody.” When we say that someone is nobody, we are saying that they are unimportant, uninteresting or unworthy. Now, what would you rather hear: "I'm sorry I didn't come over last night, I had a lot on my mind," or: "I'm sorry I didn't come over last night, I was too busy watching ' ' whatever ."

Source: The Woven Figure: Conservatism And Americas Fabric

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