Melody Teh
Retirement Life

Funny poem highlights how the meaning of words have changed

Bob Pacey, 65, is the Rockhampton region’s best-known bush poet. He has a verse stored in his memory for just about every occasion.

Getting Older 

Well I must be getting older

And I don't know who to blame

All the words now have new meanings

Though they still sound just the same.

 

And I was so good at English

Now I get the words all wrong

cause when I put them in a sentence

it’s just like they don't belong.

 

Like, when a bloke was really happy

it used to be ok to say “He's gay”

a “Rap” was how you hit a door

And Hi! just meant gidday.

 

“Grass” was grown upon your lawn

We used a "Pot" to cook a stew

A “Score” was what your team made

And a "Dope" meant silly you

 

A “Dyke” that was just a little dam

A “Poof” a puff of smoke

and “Bread” was flour and water

Now if you've got none well your broke

 

And “Cactus” was a prickly plant

But now it means you’re dead

a “Joint” was an old run down shack

A place to rest your weary head.

 

 “Acid” was something we used

in Chemistry at school

and winter was the only time

that we could say we’re “Cool”.

 

A “Trip” meant falling over

when we tangled up our feet

And lollies were the only thing

that we could say were “Sweet”.

 

A “Camp” was just a little tent

set up out in the scrub.

We only “Stuffed” our chickens

and food was our only “Grub”.

 

If someone had a bit of luck

we’d say that's really slick

now when something’s great mate

well they say it’s “fully sick”.

 

And we put “ice” into our eskies

just to cool our beer and rum

and the only "Smack" I ever got

was on me bloody bum.

 

People stopped you in the street

to talk about the weather

now when you ask a question

the kids simply say “Whatever”.

 

Well I’ve tried to understand it

It's progress I've been told

But I really have to face it mate

Gees I must be getting old.

 

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Tags:
retirement life, funny, words, Poem, older