James Baquet

    The nostalgic question, “Where are the snows of yesteryear?” has taken on proverbial meaning. Originally the refrain of a poem by French poet Francois Villon in praise of great women, it is now used whenever someone wants to compare the “smallness” of today to the greatness of the past. Its use is often considered too sentimental (“mushy”).

    Let’s see why…

    James sees his student, a boy named Vincent, picking petals from a flower.

    James: Whatcha doin’, Vince?

    Vincent: Oh, James. I’m just thinking about days gone by, the innocence of childhood, the beauty of youthful laughter.

    James: Yikes! What brought on this cliché-fest?

    Vincent: Oh, “Where are the snows of yesteryear?”

    James: OK, spill. Someone dump you? What gives?

    Vincent: Yes! I’ve lost my true love, and now all is ashes…

    James: Puh-LEEZ.

    Vincent: Seriously, James. Haven’t you ever been in love?

    James: Love? Yes. Mush? Not like you.

    Vincent: How can you be so cruel, so hard-hearted? You’re as bad as her.

    James: She.

    Vincent: What?

    James: Never mind. Anyway, snap out of it, boy. End this “pity party” and move on.

    Vincent: Easier said than done. For love is a knife in the heart! A scream in the dark! A…

    James: Sheesh. I’m outta here.

    Notes on the dialogue:

    — Yikes!: An expression of surprise or, as here, dismay.

    — cliché-fest: James accuses Vincent of indulging in too many over-used, poetic expressions, like “days gone by,” “the innocence of childhood,” and so on.

    — Spill: Here, it means “to tell a secret.”

    — To dump someone: To end a romantic relationship with someone.

    — What gives?: “What’s going on?” “What’s up?”

    — All is ashes: Another sentimental cliché.

    — Puh-LEEZ: An exaggerated way to say “Please stop,” usually accompanied by rolling one’s eye and sighing heavily.

    — Mush: Sometimes mistaken for love, it is a sort of “being in love with love,” with the idea itself, rather than deep, serious, true love.

    — Hard-hearted: Cruel and cold.

    — She: James is lamely trying to fix Vincent’s grammar after he said, “You’re as bad as her,” which some finicky grammarians would say should be, “You’re as bad as she.”

    — Snap out of it: “Stop being silly.”

    — Pity party: When one indulges in feeling sorry for oneself (and enjoys it).

    — Move on: “Get along with your life,” “Stop dwelling on the past.”

    — Sheesh: An exclamation, here signifying surrender.

    — I’m outta here: I’m leaving.