I’m mired in paperwork at the moment. I haven’t lived in the U.S. in 10 years, and that’s long enough for the lingo to have changed a great deal. The term that took me aback momentarily was “demographics”.
It turns out in many contexts (for instance, moving, health insurance, etc.) I’ve been asked for my “demographic sheet”, or more simply, my “demographics.” But back in the olden days, when I used to speak American English, demographics weren’t something that were personal. You talked about demographics for a region, or a given set of people. So, while I guessed what it might mean, I decided I should ask the friendly woman in one office who had just suggested that I fax my demographic sheet.
Her reaction was predictable. I mean, while I don’t necessarily speak fluent “American” anymore, I’m guessing I still have a mostly American accent, and if you’re living in the U.S. this probably isn’t new. The woman paused, considering (I would imagine) whether I was calling from Mars or something. How could an American not know what to do when asked for a “demographic sheet”?
But then she slowly and politely said well, of course, it’s all your personal information:
- address
- phone number
- date of birth
- marital status
- religion (although she offered that was optional)
- race (she wasn’t inclined to allow that this was also optional, although she finally conceded it was)
- military service record (if any)
- health insurance policy #
- Husband’s name – needed with the health insurance policy #, since it is apparently now assumed that if you’re married the health insurance policy will always be in your husband’s name and not your own. Hmm. I don’t recall this from 10 years ago; my health insurance was always in my own name when I was working, with no assumption for the other.
It’s been kind of funny that a lot of our friends here have asked me if I’m looking forward to going back to the U.S. since I won’t need to learn how stuff works anymore. But really, returning to the U.S. after 10 years is actually like going to a new place, I think. A lot of things change in 10 years, enough that you can’t expect to know either how the system, where to go to do stuff, or even what the terminology means.
But at least I have now learned the changing use of “demographic”. It’s not a lot, but it’s a start.
oh there will be more. I didn’t realize its been 10 years. watch some stupid Utube videos of various pop songs, and you will see nothing in the pop culture has changed just the words. for example blaise, in the 80’s meant blah blah blah. Today it is not used much at all. cool, phat, fly, now are ill, and if you agree its word. Hook up means sex, or something in that way. Oh the urban dictionary will steer you right. Young people still can’t find their way to a job on time.
Have you run into “metrics” yet?
Off topic: I finished reading your gelato opus. It ended too soon. Enjoyed it. Over all I can relate with my experiences in several countries West and East. I have some funny anecdotes for another time.
I’ve been in the states my entire life, and was surprised to read this as this isn’t my meaning of the word. I haven’t had to fill out any forms except medical updates so I guess I’m not with it. Yes, a straight line to be sure.:)