Phrases enter our speech frequently. I write this, but I wonder if it is still true. Do youthful adults, or kids these days say things like “Who let the cat out of the bag?” or “Well, that was a wild goose chase.”
Hmmm. I think not. I think their phrases typically involve the misspelling of words. Like when something is good, they say it is “phat.” If there is some sort of drama happening, they say “sus” which means suspect. Or if they agree with something, they are “down with it.”
Some of the things that have happened to our language irritate me slightly. Like the phrase 24/7. Now, everything, everyone does is 24/7. For instance, you might say someone is a good mother. And the response would be, “Oh, she is at it, 24/7.” Well. Damn well, she better be. Parenting is a full-time job. And that is what we used to say. Full time. All the time. Non-stop. But today, everything is 24/7. When we were kids, the only thing that was 24/7 was the 7-11 convenience store. And even then, I think they only stayed open until 11 p.m.
Some phrases I would never use. Like, “Put a sock in it.” The exact origin of that one is not clear, but most of the references say that it truly meant to put a sock in someone’s mouth. I say I would never use this, but I certainly have thought it when I read some particular posts on social media.
On the other hand, some phrases have a tendency to cheapen us, I think. They’ve been overused. I think most people with a firm command of the language could come up with something better. The one that comes to mind is “at the end of the day.” Politicians, especially, are very good at saying, “at the end of the day.”
Unless they are actually referring to an activity that is occurring at 5 or 6 p.m., I think there is something better to be said. Besides that. The end of the day means different things to different people. But before “the end of the day” there was “when it is all said and done” or “when the smoke clears” or “when the dust settles.”
All of those phrases are a dime a dozen.
They’ve included everything but the kitchen sink.
But, that’s par for the course.
So, let’s just cut to the chase.
Seriously.
Words are important, and they are powerful. What we speak, what we write, and what we intend, can have long-lasting and serious effects. In all the aspects of our lives.
I have been guilty of the following, although these days, I try to avoid it all costs. People don’t think before they speak. Words can be as swift as swords. It seems, that these days, people don’t mind using them quickly, and cuttingly.
We can use them for good, or we can use them for harm. It is that simple. Today, I hope I can choose my words wisely.
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Words, as is well known, are the great foes of reality.
— Joseph Conrad
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It does not require many words to speak the truth.
— Chief Joseph
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Words are the great temptation.
— Marty Rubin
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