Today's Grumpy Old Man Segment

Have you seen the new Culver’s ad exclaiming their custard as truly decadent? I also saw the word used positively in another ad this morning. It goes along with those folk who describe some they like as wonderfully sinful.

This language irks me. Perhaps it is reflective of an increasingly decadent society. Perhaps it is why girls are so often attracted to bad boys.

It makes more sense to me to call good things we like: heavenly, God’s gifts, angelic, good, magnificent, delightful, indescribably delicious, mouth watering, etc. Positive words to describe good things.

What I hear when the Culver’s ad is played is: “Our uppity ice cream is a bunch of decaying mush that we have to make frequently before the smell gets to you.”

Up yours Culver’s and your hamburgers are greasy enough without buttering the buns.

I really do have too much time on my hands don’t I? Gotta let the curmudgeon side out every now and then. Or is it devilish of me?

Definition of DECADENT

1: marked by decay or decline

2: of, relating to, or having the characteristics of thedecadents

3: characterized by or appealing to self-indulgence <decadentpleasures>

— dec·a·dent·ly adverb

Examples of DECADENT

1.     The book condemns some of society's wealthiest members as decadent fools.

2.     a wealthy and decadent lifestyle

3.     a decadent hotel room, complete with a hot tub

4.     We relaxed in decadent luxury.

Origin of DECADENT

back-formation from decadence

First Known Use: 1837

Related to DECADENT

Synonyms: effete, decayed, degenerate, overripe,washed-up

The etymology of decadence 

1540s, from M.Fr. décadence (early 15c.), from M.L. decadentia "decay," from decadentem (nom. decadens) "decaying," prp. of decadere "to decay," from L. de- "apart, down" (see de-) +cadere "to fall" (see case (1)). Used of periods in art since 1852, on French model.