Wikipedia:Reference desk/Archives/Miscellaneous/2015 September 30

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September 30

Why did African-Amerian "Jive" talk die out during the 1980's?

Jive just wasn't done for the movies of the 70's -- lots of people actually spoke like that.

Then came the rap and breakdancing era of the early to middle 80's and it seemed like Jive died overnight. By the late 80's nobody was speaking Jive anymore, not even the older Black folks.

This may make a good subject for a serious book of some kind. Does anyone know more about this topic? Zombiesturm (talk) 17:47, 30 September 2015 (UTC)

I suspect that when any "secret language" like that becomes widely understood and the subject of parody, it's no longer seen as exclusive or "cool", so loses it's appeal. Then it's on to the next version, with words like "bidniz" and "skrilla", until they fall out of favor, in turn, for the same reason. There's nothing unique about African-American slang in this respect. See 23 skidoo, for example. StuRat (talk) 17:54, 30 September 2015 (UTC)

Jive talk is a redirect to African_American_Vernacular_English. Of course it has changed over time, but it's still alive and well. SemanticMantis (talk) 19:14, 30 September 2015 (UTC)

Yes, having lived in areas including the Bronx, Harlem, and Inwood since that time I can assure you that the cant has simply evolved. It's actually quite hilarious to see suburban white youth culture adopting what was current in black youth culture 5-10 years after the fact. μηδείς (talk) 20:43, 30 September 2015 (UTC)

Blame Airplane!. shoy (reactions) 12:59, 1 October 2015 (UTC)

How to act or behave like a Prince

So, I was at home alone, not studying, watching television, I started watching 'Barbie' in 'Cartoon Network' because there was nothing else to watch; nothing good at all showing. It was AWESOME! They were teaching how to eat, drink, walk like a Princess. I also wanted to learn but the awesome moves will make me look like, the 'gay lord'. Basically I want to learn 'how to act or behave like a Prince', what do I do/where shall I go/what shall I watch/what shall I read with pictures in it... -- Space Ghost (talk) 18:52, 30 September 2015 (UTC)

A prince of what era and place? Surely Nayan_(Mongol_Prince) acted a bit different from Charles, Prince of Wales. Guessing that you might be interested in Victorian ethos and style of the rich and powerful, I'd suggest the plays of Oscar Wilde. You can get free versions of most of his stuff at Project Gutenberg, here's Lady Windermere's Fan [1] and Picture of Dorian Gray [2]. SemanticMantis (talk) 19:10, 30 September 2015 (UTC)

See mirrors for princes. (If you want to be an evil prince, try reading The Prince.)

If you're more interested in playing the role of a prince, say at Halloween, you might try watching some movies with princes in them, and see how they act. StuRat (talk) 19:27, 30 September 2015 (UTC)

Money/riches, power and evilness don't apply to me. I was actually thinking of it for real life. I want girls/women to rest their jaws back including their cognitive process when they think about other boys/men except me...

My 'user page' defines myself. I'm looking for a 'step by step guide', as easy as what I saw in the 'Barbie' programme, e.g., how to put a book in your head and walk/balance with it, how to pour tea and how to drink from a tea cup, how to dance... Using the words 'thee' and or 'thy' and or '(eth)' when I speak/write would be advantageous...

Special powers such as resurrecting people from the dead like Jesus, halfing the Moon like Muhammad or enormous strength like Hercules is not a requisite/mandatory.

Can you guys help me, please! It has become a part of my development process now.

Space Ghost (talk) 19:11, 1 October 2015 (UTC)

Sounds like you're after deportment and etiquette lessons. Here is somewhere that teaches that, but I don't know if they do specific "act like a prince" lessons. http://www.londonschoolofetiquette.com/About-Us.html Iapetus (talk) 12:10, 2 October 2015 (UTC)

I've saved the link. I'll look at it when I go back, if I have money in the near future. -- Space Ghost (talk) 18:51, 2 October 2015 (UTC)

Iapetus, I don't think Russell.mo wants to be deported. KägeTorä - (^影_虎) (もしもし！) 17:45, 3 October 2015 (UTC)

Leptus, meant this Tora , not in the sense transportation I believe. -- Space Ghost (talk) 18:24, 3 October 2015 (UTC)

Goods transport vehicles

Why do large goods vehicles (trucks/lorries) in the USA generally have their driving cabs up and behind the engine compartment. Whereas, in europe the vehicles are flat fronted and the cab is 'above' the engine.

It's like the flat vs long front thing. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 80.195.27.47 (talk) 22:12, 30 September 2015 (UTC)

This is hearsay, and I can't be bothered to look for references, but: In Europe there tend to be restrictions on the maximum length a truck is allowed to have on a public road. Hence in order to maximize space available for goods they put the cab over the engine. In the US no such restrictions exist and then it is better (easier construction, easier maintenance, maybe others) to put the engine in front of the cab. 86.161.117.99 (talk) 23:20, 30 September 2015 (UTC)

Tractor unit and cab over appear to back this up. Here in Southern California, it's not that uncommon to see "flat front" trucks, but from memory they're almost all from European or Japanese manufacturers. Those articles appear to confirm that those manufacturers mostly make "flat front" units while U.S. manufacturers mostly go with the engine in front. --71.119.131.184 (talk) 00:00, 1 October 2015 (UTC)

See our Longer Heavier Vehicle article: "As of 2009, [in the UK] vehicles are limited to a maximum of 6 axles, and limited to an overall maximum weight of 44 tonnes (43.3 long tons; 48.5 short tons) and 16.5 m (54 ft 2 in) in length for articulated lorries, and 44 tonnes (43.3 long tons; 48.5 short tons) and 18.75 m (61 ft 6 in) for drawbar lorries. The restriction on overall length is why the majority of UK lorries are hauled by 'cab over' tractor units, although for the minority of UK uses where the weight limit is reached before the length limit, conventional trucks are legal." I expect that the length restriction is due to our narrow roads and is intended to help prevent this, this or even this. Alansplodge (talk) 12:43, 1 October 2015 (UTC)

These limitations are the same all over Europe (and Russia etc). Only in Sweden and in Finland are LHVs allowed up to 25.25 metres for 62 tonnes. Akseli9 (talk) 19:06, 2 October 2015 (UTC)

Aside from legal restrictions (or not), wouldn't an engine in front of the cab be easier to service? ←Baseball Bugs ^{What's up, Doc?} carrots→ 17:50, 1 October 2015 (UTC)

That was mentioned above. It's in the first response to the original question. Dismas|^(talk) 18:05, 1 October 2015 (UTC)

See also Conventional truck for other advantages. Alansplodge (talk) 20:39, 1 October 2015 (UTC)