Play On!

“It” is a very ambiguous little word.

In the 1920s and ‘30s, Clara Bow was the “it girl” in movies, and there was little doubt in her case as to what “it” implied. Clara made a big Hollywood career and millions of bucks by marketing something that was virtually indefinable.

A knowing woman can walk into a room at a huge party and tell you in a flash which women have “it” and which don’t.

“It” has only two letters, but has infinite connotations. As to females with “it,” you’ve either got it or you ain’t. The implication is that the person with “it” exudes a certain kind of attraction without having to do anything more than just “show up” — to use a Woody Allen expression.

My wife tells me that “it” doesn’t necessarily mean a pretty face, or a good figure — although those things are very desirable attributes of “it.”

The girl with “it” also carries within her walk and talk a certain kind of sassy insouciance that broadcasts “I am a winner” without having to make a sound.

“It” and “sex appeal” are not necessarily the same thing, but they send a similar message. It’s just a guess, but I would wager that the girl with “it” gets more marriage proposals than any of her friends who don’t have “it.”

“It” may not be the Christmas present, but perhaps only the enticing wrapping which makes one want to possess what’s waiting inside. A tastefully dressed female is such a package.

Most intelligent women are interested in clothes that suit them because they realize which wrappings make them more alluring packages.

This fact is surely true about Sophia Loren, who is as enticing a package as Santa Claus ever brought to any man.

The trick, it seems to me, is that women show a modest amount of flesh, but know just what flesh to show to pique the maximum male curiosity.

To the most cosmopolitan man, his ladylove in a bathing suit is very likely less sexy than when she is in a satin slip and doing her makeup. In any case, “the gift without the giver is bare,” and a cold-hearted lady remains cold no matter how much or little she wears.

Strange that “it” is an indeterminate neuter pronoun. “It” could refer to my car, but not my dog of nearly 20 years who was “all boy” all the time.

Men and women sometimes do not see in those of their own sex the qualities that are evident to the opposite sex.

It is not uncommon for a boy to be in love with a girl, “a rag, bone and hank of hair,” (Kipling) in whom the boy’s mother sees no prize worthy of her son.

And no boy ever seems to be good enough to marry Daddy’s precious daughter.

Strange that the girl’s parents are not more picky about the boy who yearns to snatch away their prize plum of a daughter.

“It” is quite a quandary of queries!