Social media conversations over the past week quite reminded me of the face to face conversations at Fred's News. One of my faithful readers exclaimed,"I quite miss the BANTER of Fred's News. These "conversations" through social media networking, quite reminds me of the place I now realize, so many former patrons absolutely miss! For the record we all miss the place, the camaraderie, the food and the glorious BANTER!
BANTER as a verb: to speak to or address in a witty and teasing manner, as a noun, BANTER is good-natured and usually witty and animated joking, something along the lines of "Everyone misses hearing their good natured BANTER!" The use of the word BANTER can be traced back to approximately 1690, no NOT at Fred's News! Although the land area deeded back in 1659 by Uncas, the Mohegan Indian Sachem, to form the Town of Norwich, Sprague as a town would have to wait a few more years, Fred's News generations later.
At Fred's News BANTER was an art form. A synonym for the word BANTER, "give and take" might more appropriately define conversations at the small, now defunct restaurant. Depending on the time of year or day for that matter, topic of conversation, what participants were involved, as well as the mood of those participants, conversations varied immensely. A fine example: Boston Red Sox vs. New York Yankees. Sport's in itself can cause grown men to practically cry, mix that with certain people gloating over another teams' inadequacies, it kicks up the banter more than a notch. Words directly related to BANTER,barb, crack, dig, gag, joke, laugh, pleasantry (never at Fred's News), quip, wisecrack (that's more like it), along with facetiousness, mocking, ridiculing, ribbing and razzing, just to name a few. Sim, Buzz, Richie, very good at the ribbing, razzing, mocking, yet very sensitive if the "favor" was returned. Although bantering through the social networking sites, is a reminder of all things Fred's News, there are no replacements for: Delaval's outside voice or mine for that matter. Someone so pissed off, trying to make a point, veins popping out in their neck and foreheads, face beat red and bystanders looking on in amazement, social media does not provide that kind a one on one face contact. Once you experience it, the high you experience, the more you want! It can be quite intoxicating! Much like the arguments Mr. Bill and I have had during our thirty years together, "only the strong shall prevail" or the person with the loudest and biggest mouth. In that case, me, Mr. Bill always loosing his voice before he would make a point. Of course, arguments are quite like bantering, or a wrestling match, if you've only got so much time, make the most of it! Set the hook and go in for "the kill1"
Many a person left little Fred's News, never realizing what had actually hit him/her. A former first selectman, quite upset over a series of events, thinking he could still boom louder than my big mouth, so upset with the banter, resorted to insults. The Egg-Nazi not letting anyone speak ill of me, asked him to leave. As the conversations continued, he was told, LEAVE. Realizing he had not had the last word, he abruptly returned, sticking his head through the door, he shouts at Mr. Bill..."and your a lousy golfer too!" Yes, that WAS the last word.
Just the other day, Mr. Bill returned home from a round of golf. "How did you play Sweetheart"? I questioned. Glancing in my direction, I saw a rather downtrodden look appear on his face. "You know who was right years ago when he said, I was a lousy golfer, too!" he mumbled. I burst into laughter...."Did that insult traumatize you for life or what?' I razzed. Mr. Bill mimicking me, "Did that insult traumatize you for life or what?" he mumbles, only causing me to laugh more. Sometimes you don't need to get the last word!
At Fred's News BANTER was an art form. A synonym for the word BANTER, "give and take" might more appropriately define conversations at the small, now defunct restaurant. Depending on the time of year or day for that matter, topic of conversation, what participants were involved, as well as the mood of those participants, conversations varied immensely. A fine example: Boston Red Sox vs. New York Yankees. Sport's in itself can cause grown men to practically cry, mix that with certain people gloating over another teams' inadequacies, it kicks up the banter more than a notch. Words directly related to BANTER,barb, crack, dig, gag, joke, laugh, pleasantry (never at Fred's News), quip, wisecrack (that's more like it), along with facetiousness, mocking, ridiculing, ribbing and razzing, just to name a few. Sim, Buzz, Richie, very good at the ribbing, razzing, mocking, yet very sensitive if the "favor" was returned. Although bantering through the social networking sites, is a reminder of all things Fred's News, there are no replacements for: Delaval's outside voice or mine for that matter. Someone so pissed off, trying to make a point, veins popping out in their neck and foreheads, face beat red and bystanders looking on in amazement, social media does not provide that kind a one on one face contact. Once you experience it, the high you experience, the more you want! It can be quite intoxicating! Much like the arguments Mr. Bill and I have had during our thirty years together, "only the strong shall prevail" or the person with the loudest and biggest mouth. In that case, me, Mr. Bill always loosing his voice before he would make a point. Of course, arguments are quite like bantering, or a wrestling match, if you've only got so much time, make the most of it! Set the hook and go in for "the kill1"
Many a person left little Fred's News, never realizing what had actually hit him/her. A former first selectman, quite upset over a series of events, thinking he could still boom louder than my big mouth, so upset with the banter, resorted to insults. The Egg-Nazi not letting anyone speak ill of me, asked him to leave. As the conversations continued, he was told, LEAVE. Realizing he had not had the last word, he abruptly returned, sticking his head through the door, he shouts at Mr. Bill..."and your a lousy golfer too!" Yes, that WAS the last word.
Just the other day, Mr. Bill returned home from a round of golf. "How did you play Sweetheart"? I questioned. Glancing in my direction, I saw a rather downtrodden look appear on his face. "You know who was right years ago when he said, I was a lousy golfer, too!" he mumbled. I burst into laughter...."Did that insult traumatize you for life or what?' I razzed. Mr. Bill mimicking me, "Did that insult traumatize you for life or what?" he mumbles, only causing me to laugh more. Sometimes you don't need to get the last word!
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