Perhaps I’Ll Double-Dip A Chip In Mourning

Mon., May 18, 1998

Kevin Pacheco, Cheney

Truly a trendsetter, “Seinfeld” set its own standards from the beginning. From Master of his Domain to yada, yada, yada, the show about nothing has taught us all something.

“Seinfeld” showed us that a sitcom doesn’t have to grow to become better, in others words you can’t improve upon perfection.

Often, a show starts out at the top but works its way down to the bottom because more and more characters are added to tell more stories. Think, “Roseanne,” “Baywatch,” and “Cheers.”

“Seinfeld” never changed. The whiny foursome that began almost a decade ago didn’t learn a thing. They confronted issues such as death, homosexuality, and even “Soup Nazis” and yet at the beginning of every episode Kramer makes an entrance, George lies, Elaine complains and Jerry questions.

Comparing “Seinfeld” and “Superman” is probably the only analogy that hasn’t been done, so I’m going to give it a try.

Jerry (aka Superman) and close friends Elaine (Lois Lane), George (annoying pal Jimmy Olson) and Kramer (heavyweight champion “Bibbo” Bibbowski) fight against Newman (Lex Luther).

On a typical day, Jerry, who is pondering such interstellar ideas as “Why do they call it a sandwich?” stops his questioning when there’s a buzz at the door. “Who is it?” Jerry asks. “It’s me,” replies a distraught Elaine. Just as Jerry is about to open his door, Kramer bursts through, exclaiming that Jerry’s little bud George is stuck in traffic because of a parade. Jerry, contemplating a way to get George out of trouble is interrupted by his archenemy Newman. Jerry, weakened by kryptonite, can do little to save the day. Then, all of a sudden Elaine enters and upon viewing the horrifying scene in front of her uses all of her feminine power and screams, “Get out!” Newman, startled by Elaine’s presence, quickly leaves hollering that he’ll be back.

Wow. Maybe I should become a sitcom writer.

Anyway, “Seinfeld” has left us, but its legacy lives on in our language. Here’s a few reminders of what “Seinfeld” has given us:

The Beast - hideous, lingering body oder.

Double-dip - To redip a chip after biting off it already (a big no-no).

Get out! - Utterance of disbelief; usually accompanied by a shove.

Giddy up - OK, let’s do it.

Hand - Possessing more control than one’s partner in a romantic relationship.

Yada, yada, yada - Move over blah, blah, blah.

Master of your domain - uh, never mind.

Mimbo - Male bimbo.

Manzierre or Bro - bra for men.

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