Webster Sells Out

Webster's Dictionary announced the addition of 100 new words. You can tell a lot about a person by the words he or she uses, whether from the new hot list or the old wrinkled list. I am of the later persuasion. You can tell you are old if you use words like "tinfoil, icebox, and steam shovel. You are old if you remember when the Dollar Store was a "Five and Dime" or "Dime Store". I believe that is another sign of inflation where the dime used to buy what a dollar will get you today.

I miss the Dime Stores. They had more class than most of the dollar stores and many, such as Woolworth's had a lunch counter. They survived up into the early mall age where I suspect high rent and low returns forced them out. The last Woolworth's I saw was in Nuremberg Germany almost ten years ago. It is a shame really. The food wasn't bad, they had specials, and it was a nice place to stop for a soda when out at the mall.

Early on we sat at the counter and ordered a chocolate or lime phosphate. They were pretty good. You don't see those any longer. No more Fizzies or Bonomo Turkish taffy either. I owe Bonomo a lot as they were responsible for many quarters under my pillow. Nothing like Turkish Taffy for extracting that loose baby tooth!

Most the candy and treats I ate as a kid are gone. The companies were probably using the same stuff China is in trouble for now to flavor their product. There has been a resurgence of some of the older candies, some never went a way. One of my favorites, Necco wafers, have been around since the late 1800s and show no signs of disappearing any time soon. Whatever the case you won't be buying them at your local Winky's 5 & 10.