According to my online sources, including internetslang.com, bomb can mean “something really bad” or “something really good”.
The urbandictionary.com states that before 1997 it meant “something really bad; a failure”; and that since 1997 it has referred to something excellent, and if preceded by the word ‘the’ it means the best!
My use of the word “bomb” fits neatly into the pre-1997 definition. Perhaps it’s not surprising since I lived most of my life so far pre-1997! Hopefully, should I live long enough, half of my life will be lived after 1997 as well, but I’ve a while to wait to see if that happens!
In my day the word “bomb” was often used to describe an old beat-up car. I bought my first car when it was ten years old. It may have been described by many as a bomb (it burned oil and smoked terribly amongst other things) but I loved it, adorned it with flower stickers and even named it “Ziggy”.
Nowadays cars seem to last a lot longer before they earn the title of bomb. Dare I say our 1997 car has only in recent years earned that title, and really only after it became unsightly due to hail damage and deterioration of the paintwork. It has been replaced by a car we might call “the bomb” but it still sits in the front yard and gets an occasional outing, too precious for someone (other than me!) to part with.
The most common use of the word as a verb was to refer to failure, particularly with regard to exams. After what felt to be a particularly dismal attempt at an exam, various students would bemoan its difficulty saying, “I bombed”. I have talked about failure in previous posts including my “failure” at singing here, and the failure of some aspects of schooling here. The word ‘bomb’ doesn’t appear in either of those posts.
It was Charli Mills of the Carrot Ranch who got me thinking about bombing with her Nov 12: Flash Fiction Challenge to In 99 words (no more, no less) write a photo bomb (serious scene interrupted by something absurd or unexpected).
Now Charlie was talking about photo bombs which she described as an “earnest photograph interrupted by the unexpected”, but I thought I would tackle video bombs. I knew I had made quite a few of those!
In an effort to learn more about making videos, which has been on my to-do list for ages, I also decided to make a compilation of video bombs to accompany my 99 words, while endeavouring to meet both Charli’s criteria and mine:
Charli:
99 words
bombing
Me:
99 words that make sense (always a priority)
find videos to match the 99 words
make a compilation video
record the video and words
My attempt is quite experimental and rather rudimentary at best but I learned a lot in the process. Since my blog is about learning, I decided to share it with you as a checkpoint on my learning journey. I know it’s definitely not “the bomb”, but I hope I haven’t totally bombed.
In the words of C.S. Lewis,
“Failures are finger posts on the road to achievement.”
Video bombing
Are you a video bomber?
Ever tried making a video but
the subject won’t cooperate,
or turns its back to you,
or perhaps it even disappears Poof! It’s out of view.
You shoot upside down or to the side,
the focus you can’t get right.
You shoot with the camera supposedly off,
then close-up your fingers when on.
You record to capture a photo,
or snap when it’s action you want.
If your answer is ‘Yes” to just one of these
come join the vid-bombers club.
We’ll commiserate
And then celebrate
When your video capture’s “the bomb”!
I appreciate your feedback. Please share your thoughts about any aspect of this post, flash fiction or video.
That’s great! 😀 I need to get my videos together. I’d love to make a bloopers one like this, too.
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Thanks Sarah. Please share when you do! 🙂
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You are The Bomb! I knew I’d find something wonderfully creative over here! I love the video and all the great examples of bombing, but I also appreciate the opportunity to learn. Bomb is quite a word with so many meanings. Thank you for this fabulous contribution!
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Thanks for your support Charli. I’ve still got a lot of learning to do. But that’s a good thing, as I do enjoy learning! 🙂
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Agree with Geoff about the talent – your video on bombing certainly didn’t bomb. Such great examples of all that can go wrong, but obviously you know how to do it right too.
I was interested in what you said about the usage of the word bomb changing from negative to positive. I don’t think we use it as much over here but I just blindly went along with the interpretation I was offered, so I admire you for delving a little deeper.
Seems you are properly back in the groove now after your holiday with some excellent posts lately.
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Thanks for your support, Anne. I am trying to get back into the groove. It’s taking a while though with many distractions, including the internet bombing on me! 🙂
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What a talent! Another course I need! I have the raw material just lack the sewing skills. I have a series if rucksack pics where I’ve accidently caught my feet on film with my bag the centre of attention. Made me laugh, esp the reluctant subject. That’ll be great embassment material in years to come.
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Thanks for your encouraging comment, Geoff. I’m pleased it made you laugh. I can just imagine your series of rucksack pics! I don’t know how many times I’ve thought I was capturing something cute one of the grandchildren was doing, only to find that although I had selected the video option, I hadn’t turned it on! I also recall a friend walking around recording his steps and bits of off-screen conversations at a wedding reception! Few who have tried have not experienced at least one bomb! 🙂
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