What do you do Without an Idea?

[forsyth]

These days, you can't really use the phrase "The Man" in a non-ironic sense. At least when you're talking about The Man, as opposed to telling somebody they're the man.

Which is kinda awkward, when it's all said and done, because The Man is still around, but how are you supposed to talk about it without a phrase to contain the concept?

Comments

[frustratedpilot]

And I can still hear his laughter
And I can still hear his song
The Man's too big
The Man's Too Strong--Dire Straits

Are you talking about the concept of the Authority Figure? I mean, that's what comes to mind.

[forsythferret.livejournal.com]

Yes. The Man. The one who's keeping us down, man.

[the-s-guy.livejournal.com]

It doesn't help when we've gotten older and some of us are or have been The Man. I spent half my adult life as a government employee. Never actually been The Boss, or someone who makes policy, but even so.

[evilcarp.livejournal.com]

You just can't use that phrase because you are the Man.

[forsythferret.livejournal.com]

I'm a sales drone at a megacorp! I'm The Man's pinky toe!