This post highlights the work required of my SA 202: Introduction to Anthropology students. Students were given the opportunity to research and identify the origins and meanings of time of a specific American phrase that they selected. Several students were given the opportunity to have their exemplary work featured on the blog, and the students who provided permission have their work featured here in this and the following blog posts. Please show your appreciation for their work through the comments.
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By: Dymynd Mayes
The phrase I decided on was the Golden Rule. I chose this because I live my everyday life by this phrase. I have applied it to many aspects of my life, such as school, work, and sports. I feel as though at school and work I apply this by being kind to coworkers, customers, classmates, as well as my professors because in my experience it is reciprocated. In sports, I apply this by not getting upset if I lose a game, and if I win, to not be boastful. I think that the Golden Rule means to treat others as you want to be treated. The Golden Rule comes from a scripture in the Bible precept in the Gospel of Matthew (7:12) “In everything, do to others what you would have them do to you” (Encyclopedia Britannica, 2024). This is the Christian belief to treat others as you would treat yourself. As the years went on, this interpretation was used throughout history to develop a moral code for others. In recent years, this Golden Rule still holds the same meaning, and in the aspect of sports it means: “Demonstrating sportsmanship requires showing respect for the game, yourself, your teammates, your opponents, and the referees, judges and other officials needed to have a game” (Reed, 2013). The change in this meaning hardly shifts when it comes to sports but still has the same beliefs. I feel as though the meaning of this rule says that we take into consideration our impacts on others and that we are morally aware of how to treat others no matter their background, and reciprocity is an aspect in our everyday lives.
Bibliographical Reference
Encyclopedia Britannica, T. E. of. (2024, August 14). Golden rule. Encyclopedia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/topic/Golden-Rule
Reed, K. (2013, February 27). Sportsmanship: The golden rule of sports. League of Fans. https://www.leagueoffans.org/2013/02/22/sportsmanship-the-golden-rule-of-sports/#:~:text=Sportsmanship%20is%20the%20Golden%20Rule%20of%20sports.%20It%E2%80%99s,out%20the%20best%20in%20yourself%2C%20and%20vice%20ver
The phrase I chose to research is "red herring". I chose this because I know red herrings aren't a type of fish, and I wanted to know how we got the saying. Before doing research, I already had a good idea of what it meant. Although, there are two definitions. When reading, red herrings are used to misdirect the reader and/or protagonist. It may seem like an important detail when it is first introduced, but ultimately has nothing to do with solving the mystery or problem at hand (Constantine, 2023). In rhetoric, it is "when the arguer diverts the attention of the reader or listener by changing the subject to a different but sometimes subtly related one." (Hurley, 2015).
The first use of the phrase was attributed to William Cobbet in 1807. At the time, newspapers had reported Napoleon's defeat, but it was too early to say. Cobbet saw it as the media trying to distract the public from other important issues. He compared the premature report to using the smell of smoked herrings (which turned red) to distract dogs from another scent (Constantine, 2023).
Red herring's definition and even connotation have remained very close to the original use over 200 years ago. A recent example of a similar situation was when the usual social media sites (Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, etc.) provided lots of coverage of Trump's arrest and things related to that, but there was little coverage over the Supreme Court case that gave the president criminal immunity in his official acts. Official acts remain unclearly defined from unofficial acts, which functionally puts the president above the law.
References
Constantine, L. (2023). The origin of the red herring and its place in literature. Crimereads.com. https://crimereads.com/liv-constantine-red-herring-origins/
Hurley, P. J. (2015). Logic the essentials. Cengage Learning.
5 comments:
This blog highlights the importance of the Golden Rule(treating others as you want to be treated)and how it applies to everyday life. The writer shares personal examples from school, work, and sports, emphasizing kindness, respect, and sportsmanship. The Golden Rule has evolved into a universal moral reminding us to consider the impact of our actions on others. Its message continues to promote respect and kindness across all areas of life.
This blog does a great job explaining the meanings and histories of these phrases. The "Golden Rule" shows its importance in treating others kindly, while "red herring" explains how distractions are used in arguments and stories.
Spotlight on Students: Origins and Meanings of American Idioms
“The Golden Rule”
Growing Up In a Chritian household I've always heard the saying treat others the way you would want to be treated. This saying or phrase can be applied to any aspect of life simply because human beings are very social beings and human interaction is mandatory. Therefore, to reduce conflict one should treat others with respect so that it can be replicated.
i really connected with the top one because i believe in the treat others how you want to be treated rule because everyone disserves the same respect to each other
Both of these articles were well written. The Golden rule has great importance to me personally because I practice it daily. It is also the second greatest commandment given to us from God, to love thy neighbor as thyself. Red herring is a very common practice today heavily due to social media. The article opened my eyes to that fact and the.
- Makeeta Moore
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