Transfiguration Greek Orthodox Church
An Improvement That Makes Things Worse
RECEIVED Tue., Nov. 1, 2005
Dear Editor,
The good folks at New Scientist magazine, tirelessly working to keep us all informed, have come up with a term that I believe everyone here in Austin [and possibly elsewhere] will find highly useful in describing many of the new and exciting things we have to look forward to in the coming months and years ahead: Schlimmbesserung. Doesn't that just roll off the tongue? It is a German word meaning something along the lines of “an improvement which makes something worse.” Think, oh say, highway improvements perhaps, although many, many other uses for this word will, I am certain, be found to obtain.
In light of this I think it will be well and appropriate to alter my greetings for the upcoming holiday season to: “Merry Schlimmbesserung and a very happy Zeitgeldundauskunfstmettelsvernichtung (a complete waste of time, money, and resources)!”
The good folks at New Scientist magazine, tirelessly working to keep us all informed, have come up with a term that I believe everyone here in Austin [and possibly elsewhere] will find highly useful in describing many of the new and exciting things we have to look forward to in the coming months and years ahead: Schlimmbesserung. Doesn't that just roll off the tongue? It is a German word meaning something along the lines of “an improvement which makes something worse.” Think, oh say, highway improvements perhaps, although many, many other uses for this word will, I am certain, be found to obtain.
In light of this I think it will be well and appropriate to alter my greetings for the upcoming holiday season to: “Merry Schlimmbesserung and a very happy Zeitgeldundauskunfstmettelsvernichtung (a complete waste of time, money, and resources)!”
Byron Pratt