As we begin a new year of political mud-slinging, personal attacks, prejudicial statements against groups of people, half-truths, false accusations, and the like, I am reminded of an American slang term: it’s the pits, meaning a situation that’s really terrible.
It actually came from where you’d expect. In the 1950s, we began using “pits” as shorthand to refer to armpits. And, of course, people don’t exactly associate perfume and pleasant smells with armpits. It didn’t take long for the phrase “it’s the pits” to make it into everyday American speech.
That’s why I think the term is appropriate for our current Presidential race. Simply, it’s the pits!