Auld Crabbits

[Cygnus]

Cowher, I think you're overthinking things a bit. Think of it more as a group of people that are "auld" in their mindset and ways of approaching kilt-wearing and "crabbits" in their critique of those inappropriately attired or their acceptance of modern kilt-trends.

Then it isn't so much a derogatory name, but an accurate descriptor of the group and its members.

[DWFII]

I'm proud to be an Auld Crabbit. I was actually invited to join.

I never heard the term til I came here. But I knew instinctively what it represented--a staunchness, an impatience with willful ignorance...a rejection of group think...a steadiness, willingness to stand for something.

I write...and speak...formally. And, as near as my limited education will allow, literately. I write in a fashion that relies heavily on reason, logic and objectivity. It is an older style of writing/communicating, a style that might be more at home in the 19th century than the 21st.

Many here do not understand or admire that way of speaking. I suspect it has to do with short attention spans or an incapacity to deal with more than one concept at a time. It sends people to their dictionaries...or not. (Don't blame the messenger, blame the education system.)

But many of those same people also do not have the ability to "live and let live." They talk a lot about tolerance but only have tolerance for their own point of views.

Chances are fair to good that this post will be reported to the mods. Not because I insulted someone or because I broke any rules but because someone didn't like my "tone." My tone, for all love.

We all recognize that tone can't be conveyed over the Internet but some people spend their whole lives seeing insult where none is meant or given. And jumping at shadows.

I don't think that being an Auld Crabbit has anything to do with being miserable. Quite the opposite, in fact. It is about respecting yourself enough to say clearly "I am not going to get swept away by foolishness or fads or impulse or popular opinion."

One has to have a solid sense of self and of respect for one's self to be an Auld Crabbit. One has to be confidant...I mean really confident, not just stick your thumb in the eye of authority "confident". And and one has to be comfortable within one's own skin.

I like this and think it's apropos:

"There is a cult of ignorance in the United States, and there always has been. The strain of anti-intellectualism has been a constant thread winding its way through our political and cultural life, nurtured by the false notion that democracy means that 'my ignorance is just as good as your knowledge.'" - Isaac Asimov, column in Newsweek (21 January 1980) [emphasis mine]

[Bugbear]

I like this and think it's apropos:

"There is a cult of ignorance in the United States, and there always has been. The strain of anti-intellectualism has been a constant thread winding its way through our political and cultural life, nurtured by the false notion that democracy means that 'my ignorance is just as good as your knowledge.'" - Isaac Asimov, column in Newsweek (21 January 1980) [emphasis mine]

I grew up reading Isaac Asimov's writing, more the nonfiction than fiction; very interesting person, including the wicked sideburns... Thanks for posting the quote, it brings back some memories.

[Chirs]

"There is a cult of ignorance in the United States, and there always has been. The strain of anti-intellectualism has been a constant thread winding its way through our political and cultural life, nurtured by the false notion that democracy means that 'my ignorance is just as good as your knowledge.'" - Isaac Asimov, column in Newsweek (21 January 1980) [emphasis mine]

That is a keeper!!

[Cowher]

Cajunscot I'm glad you posted.ith: I didn't know who started the phrase and seeing that you are the one who started the group your just the one to explain the meaning to me.

I never heard the phrase Auld Crabbit. I knew Auld = old but had to look up crabbit to be sure. So Auld Crabbit is a " tounge in cheek" phrase. Did it spring from those (of non-traditional views) mocking the traditionalist?

I ask because it's a phrase that has bothered me. If I never asked it would continue to bug me. I look to learn.

[James Hood]

Rule #2 to the children, reinforced endlessly:

"Life is much too serious to take seriously."

And that goes to the fourth exponent concerning political correctness.

[kiltedwolfman]

There have been the rare time where the "Auld Crabbit" has been used in a rather condescending manner. In much the same way a skilled mechanic might speak to a backyard mechanic, saying something like " Well you can do this repair yourself or let a pro do it. But what do I know I'm just a mechanic!?"
Used this way it indicates that the person knows much more than the backyard mechanic and is showing so but giving his advice then offhandedly tossing out his status as a proffesional.
Once and a while during a thread someone has offered lengthy words on how they're oppinion is the right and true oppinion ( or something to that effect ) and then tried to "dumb it down" by saying " but I'm just an Auld Crabbit". People reading the thread know that the author is coming from a level of authority ( warrented or supposed is another matter ) and it's obvious that the advice, critique, or what have you is meant in all seriousness. When the author ends with " But I'm just and Auld Crabbit" They are implying that they are in the know and their words should be taken with utmost seriousness.

Now of course there are times and I think it is most of the time that the title is tossed out there just in fun. I am simply pointing out that every once and a while it is not and maybe that is where the OP is coming from.

[Cowher]

There have been the rare time where the "Auld Crabbit" has been used in a rather condescending manner. In much the same way a skilled mechanic might speak to a backyard mechanic, saying something like " Well you can do this repair yourself or let a pro do it. But what do I know I'm just a mechanic!?"
Used this way it indicates that the person knows much more than the backyard mechanic and is showing so but giving his advice then offhandedly tossing out his status as a proffesional.
Once and a while during a thread someone has offered lengthy words on how they're oppinion is the right and true oppinion ( or something to that effect ) and then tried to "dumb it down" by saying " but I'm just an Auld Crabbit". People reading the thread know that the author is coming from a level of authority ( warrented or supposed is another matter ) and it's obvious that the advice, critique, or what have you is meant in all seriousness. When the author ends with " But I'm just and Auld Crabbit" They are implying that they are in the know and their words should be taken with utmost seriousness.

Now of course there are times and I think it is most of the time that the title is tossed out there just in fun. I am simply pointing out that every once and a while it is not and maybe that is where the OP is coming from.

This is exactly what I was looking for!!!
Ok it makes more sence to me now. Let me repeat it to make sure I hit it.

A trusted mechanic tell his client "my opinion is your cv joint is about to give out. That's why it's knocking "
The client says " I had a car before that made the same noise. I think it's the motor mount"
The mechanic in frustration says "your right. What do I know? I'm just a idiot with a wrench." knowing full well he is a serious mechanic and his comment should be taken as sarcasm.

[DWFII]

They are implying that they are in the know and their words should be taken with utmost seriousness.

No offense to you personally...using the word "you" rhetorically...

How do you know what they are saying or implying? Did you ask?

The whole concept of something being implied suggests that you're inferring, or assuming, or interpreting. Any or all of those reveals more about you and your preconceived ideas than it does about what the author is saying.

On some things, some issues, privileged perspective lends an authority that can only be second guessed--Asimov's "ignorance" vs. "knowledge" conundrum. On other issues, a well respected, historically accepted external authority...like a dictionary...if second guessed, only leaves the guesser looking like they have yet to get very far out of adolescence.

I've seen discussions in this very forum where people who knew nothing about history tried to tell bona fide historians that they were wrong about whether kilts were worn/known before 16th century...or some such.

On other things...a great many things that skirt the edges of being OT on this forum--such as speculation or philosophy...no one but those who are offended by such talk take it seriously. This isn't the Rocket Science Forum or the We'll Save the World Forum. It's just conversation...much like we all did in college many years ago...when we all sat around in the local off-campus pub and talked religion or politics or other world-shaking matters. Determined to solve the problems that for centuries, have eluded the wisest among us...all in one night of "bousing at the nappy."

That said, people who can demonstrate that they have thought the issues through, might have an advantage.

Here's a essay that will undoubtedly offend a huge number of people (probably not like using racial epithets, however)...but there may be a bit of truth as well. Pay particular attention (if nothing else) to the bullet points under "The Script" and the summary paragraph just below.

How all this relates to kilts or even to Auld Crabbits, I have no idea. I don't even know how the O(riginal P(ost) relates to kilts but obviously the mods think it does.

[macwilkin]

No offense meant gents, but you're reading far too much into this. It was meant, as I said earlier, as a bit of fun...a witty title with a flair towards Scots dialect and colloquialism instead of the more straight forward and boring "kilted traditionalists". Again, I respect others opinions, but there's quite a bit of speculation here that really did't figure into it at all.

Look at our avatar -- Hector MacDonald of "Monarch of the Glen".

But what do I know? I'm only the guy that started the group.

T.