"The way we speak now, we didn't speak then."" lostcauser
Lostcauser has a gift for capturing dialogue that feels genuine, even if it is sometimes hard to hear. Regarding the quote above- I think she is getting to something iimportant. I can't say I know for sure what she means, or who she was referring to- but I do know that many people, especially older people, can't (or won't) speak as freely as they did when they were younger. I don't honestly know why those folks speak differently now, maybe more carefully (talking to or about people)- but I know it is not they way used to talk. Slang and nicknames are said under their breath- often in a whisper- or not used at all. I am sure reasonable people can draw their own conclusions on why that might be so
Read between the lines and maybe you will find an answer, but maybe not. People were more cautious in their speech years ago- but also cruel- depends on who was talking- depends on what you were meaning to say.
I used to hear this a lot, usually referring to a guy: "He don't mince words" - which I used to take to be the same as honest and direct. I think it was probably just a nice way of saying cruel and intentionally harsh- mean on purpose
The second half of that phrase, usually said by a women was- "... he don't mean no harm"