There is one thing that we "seasoned" (older) firearms instructors have over younger instructors: experience. We tend to also have a broader contextual knowledge of firearms because we have lived through multiple eras. An example is that revolvers were once the primary handgun platform used for self-defense, and today we see an increased preference for semi-automatic pistols. It is hard to put value on lived experiences.
The six generations of Americans over the past 100 years are now classified by group names: The Silent Generation (1928-1945); Baby Boomers (1946-1964); Gen X (1965-1980); Millennials (1981-1996), Gen Z (1997-2012), and Gen Alpha (2013-present). I am a Gen-Xer and thus am friends with many instructors who fall in the Gen X, Millennial and Gen Z categories.
Too, each generation has its own linguistic style. If you have kids or are around them for any length of time, you know exactly what I am talking about. Sometimes I sense that there is a communication breakdown with my students when I use certain phrases or older sayings. For example, these phrases may leave younger students a bit puzzled:
Back in the Day
This is one of those indicator phrases. The first time you use the phrase “back in the day,” you officially cross the line from a young instructor to a “seasoned” instructor. The strange thing about uttering these four words is that you almost immediately start getting AARP mailers (your smart phone really is listening)!
When we say “back in the day,” we know what we mean, but younger students sometimes get a puzzled look on their faces, because they do not know what "day" of the week we are talking about. “Back in the day” usually refers to our grandparents’ generation and older.
Sometimes “back in the day” is used synonymously with the phrase, “the good ol’ days.” For those instructors who catch themselves using this phrase for the first time—welcome to the club!
Turn of the Century
This is one of my favorite phrases that separates the generations. Its important for older instructors to remember that just because many of us lived a significant portion of our lives in the 20th century, many of our students may only associate life through the 21st century. The phrase “turn of the century” separates the Silent Generation, Baby Boomers, Gen X and half of the Millennials and Gen Z-ers.
Because our lives began in the 20th century, our definition of “turn of the century” typically references the years 1899-1900. The younger generations reference the next turn of the century: 1999-2000. This can lead to some very baffled looks. For example, if the conversation turns to the period when the gun world was going through a major transition between black powder and smokeless powder, the phrase “turn of the century” can lead to some very confused students. If you do not clarify your meaning, some students may think us “old timers” were using muzzleloaders up until recently or, at least, the majority of our lives.
If you really want to confuse your younger students, just utter, "in the 19th century, 20th century, or 21st century." I do not know if these phrases are even taught in school these days. They may have gone the way of how we “used to” solve math problems. If you have tried to help your kids or grandchildren with their math homework at any point in the last 20 years, you know what I mean.
Since these phrases can lead to confusion, I try to use other words or phrases. I found it is better to describe different eras by saying the century to which I am referring. Phrases such as the mid-1880s or late 1900s work better. If I can use exact dates, this also decreases confusion.
Hanging Your Shingle
Since I am an NRA Training Counselor, I conduct many NRA Instructor courses throughout the year. Many of my students endeavor to become NRA Certified Instructors to start their own firearms training business or school. As a result, I get a lot of questions about insurance, advertising and setting up their classes. Most of these questions are answered in the NRA Basic Instructor Training (BIT) course.
Many times, I catch myself saying the phrase “hanging your shingle” regarding opening a business. For example, I might say, “You cannot just hang your shingle, and people will come rushing in; you have to be creative.” The phrase, which has its roots with early business signage, is used to describe opening a new business or putting a sign with your company name near the entrance.
“Back in the day,” during the 1800s, a business would literally take a wooden roof shingle and paint or burn their company’s name in it. The “sign” would then be hung over the entrance door of the business.
Keep Your Powder Dry
The phrase “keep your powder dry” is another oldie but goodie. This phrase is usually associated with a parting of ways, and also to be safe. Sometimes I will forget and when a student comes up to me at the end of class to tell me thank you and goodbye, I might reply, “You too and keep your powder dry.”
When some of my students hear this phrase, it is often met with a puzzled look on their face. It is almost like, “What powder is she referring to?” The phrase has its origins in the days of flintlock rifles, and remained even when firearms evolved from flintlock actions to percussion cap actions.
In a modern context, the phrase “keep your powder dry” means to be safe, stay prepared and vigilant. In muzzleloading days, if your gunpowder got wet, you would find yourself in the wilderness in a lawless land with no way of defending yourself because your gun would not be able to shoot. You would be at the mercy of wild animals and outlaws with no help. Wet powder meant that your rifle was now nothing more than a club.
With every year that I teach I get one year older and the students get one year younger. With the change in generations, archaic language and slang can seem like a whole new language to the previous generation. The reality sets in when you consider that some of the guns you purchased new are twice as old as some of the students in your class …
