Intercultural slang

If you were to open my online shopping history, the last item on there would be a Christmas hat for cats—used a handful of times before being

tossed into a corner. We have an epigram in Turkish that pokes fun at the unnecessary consumption of people: “Kel başa şimşir tarak”. The saying dates back so far that its origin is simply attributed to our ancestors. The saying can be roughly translated to “a boxwood comb for a bald head”. Even in its literal meaning lies a witty joke that points out the irony in using a very expensive and high-quality brush for a head of no hair. I can’t help but feel impressed by how well this saying holds up in the 21st century. So, I believe this saying deserves to be back in the mainstream. Potentially giving rise to an intercultural slang.

Shifting away from the literal meaning, what makes this idiom so modern and deserving of a comeback is the current attitude towards consumption. The modern obsession of status indicators like luxury cars and clothing are great examples of this. These boxwood combs are just accessories for other people to admire with no real practicality to the user in most cases. This whimsical saying highlights the irony of prioritising status and appearance over utility.

Another epidemic that seems to be exasperated with the increasing influence of social media, is overconsumption of unnecessary goods. A prime example would be the beauty industry which endorses life-changing products that are skin-clearing, wrinkle-destroying, hair-volumizing, lip-plumping… The false sense of urgency and need created results in barely used products all purchased for the futile attempt to reach the ideal beauty standard. Not only does this create financial strain, but it also contributes to environmental waste, as these products end up discarded. Reviving this idiom can push consumers to rethink what is actually worth purchasing. Additionally, this idiom feels particularly relevant when we look at the behavior of world leaders and individuals in power in the 21st century. Too often, public resources are taken advantage of to fund personal purchases or projects that show no regard for the good of the community. I believe that this fits the economic and political practices of many countries inour day and age. This dynamic is captured by the irony pointed out by “kel başa şimşik tarak.”.

In reviving this witty saying I see an opportunity to change the consumption practices of our society and embrace a minimal and need base attitude to reach a more sustainable living. Now I dare you to check your shopping history and consider if your purchases were “kel

başa şimşik tarak”.