It is 1920s gangland Chicago, only it’s not.
Captain Kirk, First Officer Spock, and Chief Engineer Scotty have descended onto a planet that seems to have replicated this unique culture: jazz hums in the air, cars are called flivvers, and mobsters rule the streets.
Scotty, Spock, and Kirk find themselves confronting a local mob boss named Jojo Krako. Scotty, trying to mimic the lingo of this Prohibition-era facsimile, retorts: "It looks like we put the bag on YOU, doesn't it?" Jojo pushes back, eliciting a threat from Scotty:
"You'll be wearin' concrete galoshes."
"You mean cement overshoes?" Jojo corrects.
Scotty pauses, and then sheepishly confirms, "Erm... Aye."
This is the setting of "A Piece of the Action," a classic episode from Star Trek's original series.
I grew up watching Star Trek—it was one piece of television my parents and I could usually agree on watching. As a result, I’ve had plenty of time to think about this particular phrase: concrete galoshes.
Why is this so funny to us?
Funny stuff
Humor lies in the unexpected.
A punchline takes us by surprise, or a twist to a joke we don’t see coming makes us laugh a lot harder.
Here, Mr. Scott would like to fit in with his early 20th century adversaries. He wants to speak the language, and he also wants to appear tough.
He fails on both counts. First, Scotty means to say “cement overshoes” (we’re more familiar today with “cement sneakers”). However, this is a peculiarly local slogan, cemented (pun intended) into the mind of popular culture by way of repetition. In other words, everyone says “cement overshoes”, so that’s what everyone expects to hear.
Second, Mr. Scott fails at seeming tough for a few reasons: the term "galoshes" evokes a much more playful image than what’s intended (splish-splash!). In using the term, Scotty inadvertently defuses the tension of the scene, making him appear less menacing and more comedic. It is obvious that Scotty is attempting to imitate someone mean and tough.
The laughter arises because it instantly breaks the immersion of the scene, but also unearths the inherent humor in trying so hard and yet failing to blend in. It’s the quintessential fish-out-of-water scenario, made all the more amusing by Scotty’s earnestness to get it right.
This humorous moment in Star Trek isn't just an isolated gag; it opens up a larger conversation about the complexities of language and how it can make or break our interactions with others.
Euphemism Evolution
Scotty's linguistic slip is amusing, but it’s also a really great excuse for me to talk (briefly) about the complex relationship between language and culture. Euphemisms like "cement overshoes" act as markers of belonging, like membership into a cool kids’ club.
Scotty's mistake serves as a humorous example of what can happen when someone attempts to code-switch without fully understanding the codes they are switching into. Code-switching—alternating back and forth between different dialects or languages—is something we all do to some extent. It’s a part of being a human in the 21st century, where the world is connected and lots of different ways of communicating are used.
Get it wrong, and you risk coming across as inauthentic or out-of-touch like Scotty did.
Language is Fluid
Language has never been more ripe for misinterpretation. There are 8 billion humans on the planet, and more and more of us are able to form our own way of communicating. Sometimes, like with Mr. Scott, this results in unintentional comedy, but sometimes it can result in something far worse.
Sometimes, miscommunication results in frustration, like misreading the tone of a text message, or misunderstanding a joke. Other times, it results in tragedy, like an airplane crashing, or a war starting.
As someone with a modicum of influence, I am very cognizant that it’s important to keep this in mind when communicating! I’ve gradually learned to be better about this over the years, but it’s a moving target.
What are some funny phrases you’ve misused in your own lifetime? What are some phrases you’ve heard butchered? Let me know in the comments!
Did they have galoshes in the 23rd century?
Andrew, great piece. Scotty was the best. The concept of code switching is very interesting. I see it all the time. Between languages (e.g., English and German), I not only sense the obvious difference in language and the thought patterns necessary to form correct grammatical constructions. I also feel a change in my body. Not a new person -- just a slightly different one with new attenuations and sensitivities to the other speaker and what he's conveying. One can't fail to notice the difference.