The Wall Street Journal is for the Birds

Your grandma or grandpa may have said that rock-n-roll music was “for the birds”. They might look at the cost of cereal and say it’s “for the birds” or even this rainy weather is “for the birds.”

Historically, the phrase “for the birds” became popular in New York City during World War II. Before the advent of cars, one could see and smell the emissions of horse-drawn wagons in New York City. Since there was no way to control it, it served to nourish a large population of English sparrows hunting for seeds or undigested grasses.

The expression became army slang for anything that was pointless, ridiculous, or simply without value. In order to become incorporated into daily conversation as an expression, however, it needed to be cleaned up. The direct reference to manure was neatly eliminated, and the phrase shortened to the same three words that are used today.

So, I was surprised to see in our homeowner’s e-newsletter that the Wall Street Journal was for the birds. Well, when I read it a little closer I saw that Mary Lou was requesting the WSJ for her birds. She said it was the correct size for the birdcage. Apparently the dimensions of this esteemed newspaper are just enough different from the local rag that she wants to save herself the work of cutting and fitting.

Today’s gift is emailing her to tell her that I do receive the WSJ and will give our old newspapers to her, as long as she doesn’t tell people that the WSJ is for the birds.

In Giving,

Robin