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02 Aug 02 - 11:03 AM (#758746) Subject: Meaningless phrases From: GUEST,Paul Just been listening to the news, and it was reported that "George Best will stay in hospital for 'some time'" It struck me how utterly meaningless that phrase was. 'Some time' could be a fraction of a millisecond or 10 billion years. Any other utterly meaningless phrases? Paul |
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02 Aug 02 - 11:11 AM (#758752) Subject: RE: BS: Meaningless phrases From: Schantieman Needless to say, there are plenty more out there... Steve |
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02 Aug 02 - 11:12 AM (#758753) Subject: RE: BS: Meaningless phrases From: GUEST "public enquiry" "open government" "folk music" |
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02 Aug 02 - 11:31 AM (#758763) Subject: RE: BS: Meaningless phrases From: Amos Unidentified sources? War on terrorism? The Americanpeople? |
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02 Aug 02 - 11:38 AM (#758766) Subject: RE: BS: Meaningless phrases From: catspaw49 I have heard "alleged victim" on several occasions and it seems to me that a guy laying dead on the floor isn't an "alleged victim" but a pretty sure thing! Spaw |
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02 Aug 02 - 11:44 AM (#758772) Subject: RE: BS: Meaningless phrases From: Uncle_DaveO "Alleged" is the way the news media get around responsibility for the characterization. It's the equivalent of saying "the dead body that someone claimed was a victim." A dead body may not be a "victim", in theory at least. He may have died of natural causes or an accident, in which case he wouldn't be a "victim". Never mind that he's got a big bullet hole going in his back and coming out his front. |
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02 Aug 02 - 11:45 AM (#758773) Subject: RE: BS: Meaningless phrases From: GUEST,Hippie Chick George Carlin has lists and lists of meaningless phrases in his books "Napalm and Silly Putty" and "Brain Droppings" Both books are side splitters. IMO. HC |
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02 Aug 02 - 11:48 AM (#758776) Subject: RE: BS: Meaningless phrases From: Schantieman I am reminded of a piece in 'Picking Sooty Blackberries' where Graham and John (I think) discuss some of Keith's favourite oxymorons. Open government (above) is in there as is 'military intelligence!. I would add 'rock music' to the list as well, but I won't since it might offend. To get back to the subject, how about 'at this moment in time' and about 85% of what most politicians say? Steve |
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02 Aug 02 - 12:55 PM (#758799) Subject: RE: BS: Meaningless phrases From: GUEST,Les B. One you used to see was "attributed to White House sources" - until some wag came up with "attributed to White Horse souses" (it was a then popular brand of whiskey). |
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02 Aug 02 - 01:17 PM (#758808) Subject: RE: BS: Meaningless phrases From: GUEST,fred miller When a guy puts something in a precarious spot, before he walks away from it he says the magic incantation "It's not going anywhere." When I worked as a museum art handler a guy did this so often that I finally said "You never think anything is going anywhere." He said "Just something I've learned from life." I've always liked the phrase "conducting their own investigation" and I like to use it when I get in trouble, i.e. "I'm sorry I was late again, I'm conducting my own investigation." Another good excuse for being late is "I fell into a burning ring of fire." There are also meaningless phrases that are wonderfully evocative, like McCartney's "wearing the face that she keeps in a jar by the door" or David Mamet's "look on their face like they've been fucked with a dead cat"-- which was cut from the movie of his play. |
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02 Aug 02 - 01:57 PM (#758840) Subject: RE: BS: Meaningless phrases From: open mike there are other threads on oxymorons here- not sure where but i've seen 'em on mud cat... any one have a link?? more than meaningless, they actually cancel each other out-they have opposite meanings connected together- (if that means anythng??) |
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02 Aug 02 - 02:11 PM (#758847) Subject: RE: BS: Meaningless phrases From: Dave the Gnome Cheap at half the price - never understood that one. Surely cheap at twice the price makes more sense? Best I saw recently was at a car salesroom where they were promising a minimum part exchange of up to £1000! Huh? But the one that takes the biscuit (Hmmm - now there's another) must be from the shipping forecast - Precipitation is in sight. Can't they just say they can see it's raining? Cheers Dave the Gnome |
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02 Aug 02 - 02:16 PM (#758852) Subject: RE: BS: Meaningless phrases From: Schantieman Ah, yes, but it might be snow, hail, sleet, cats & dogs, showers, drizzle.....all of which, with the possible exception of the domestic animals, have different meteorological significance. Bring back Finisterre, I say! Steve |
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02 Aug 02 - 02:23 PM (#758855) Subject: RE: BS: Meaningless phrases From: Gareth Have a nice day, now. Aaaarrrggghhh! Gareth |
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02 Aug 02 - 02:27 PM (#758859) Subject: RE: BS: Meaningless phrases From: Ebbie "I think you can make it", used by a passenger scouting for oncoming traffic. Suppose s/he is wrong? "Sorry"? |
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02 Aug 02 - 02:28 PM (#758861) Subject: RE: BS: Meaningless phrases From: katlaughing When I was a nurse's aid and, later, an emergency med. tech., we were not allowed to write any definitive notes in the patients' charts; that distinction was left for the lawdgawdalmightydawcters, so ALWAYS had to post such things as "Patient appears to be hungry, etc." We couldn't just say they were starving their asses off and ready for solid food! It really got ridiculous and it all came under the realm of "making a diagnosis." My favourite, made up by a friend in sales for when our manager would ask us for sales projections...she'd say how much she thought she was going to sell, he'd say "how sure are you"...she'd say which ones were for sure, then he say "how about the others" and she say, "those are possible for-sure maybes!" |
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02 Aug 02 - 02:30 PM (#758864) Subject: RE: BS: Meaningless phrases From: DMcG My boss once phoned a company and asked was so-and-so in. "Not as such" came the reply. I still can't give it a meaning after some years... My wife's most common response when I lose something is "Well, it must be somewhere". |
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02 Aug 02 - 02:40 PM (#758872) Subject: RE: BS: Meaningless phrases From: alanabit I always thought "Wearing the face that she keeps in a jar by the door" was a reference to make up. Women talk about "putting on their faces". It's a great line whether you take it literally or figuratively. Depending on its context, the casual, "How are you?" can be pretty meaningless. Very often the speaker isn't the slightest bit interested! |
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02 Aug 02 - 02:59 PM (#758885) Subject: RE: BS: Meaningless phrases From: GUEST,HelenJ "By and large". BTW "Hippie Chick" your name is that of my cats' mother. She was Sugar Cube Hippie Chick and she produced two of the most beautiful British Blues you ever saw - (even though one of them wees on me when I'm in bed!) Will try to think of some more senseless quotations. HelenJ. |
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02 Aug 02 - 03:01 PM (#758887) Subject: RE: BS: Meaningless phrases From: katlaughing At this juncture overused by the elder shrub |
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02 Aug 02 - 04:19 PM (#758925) Subject: RE: BS: Meaningless phrases From: Jim Dixon "To be perfectly honest..." or "To tell you the truth..." I once worked for a guy who overused this phrase to the point where it was laughable. He would attach it to the most mundane statements: Q. "What time are you going to lunch today?" A. "To be perfectly honest, I might skip lunch today." I figure these aren't necessarily meaningless phrases. I interpret them as shorthand for "It's painful to be honest on this point. I'm tempted to lie or evade the issue. But I'll take a risk and tell you the truth anyway." For example, Q. "What do you think of our new manager?" A. "To tell you the truth, I think he's an idiot." (Even if "idiot" is an exaggeration, we know what you mean.) By overusing the phrase, he made me think, if he has this much anxiety about telling the truth in such ordinary situations, what will he do if a really difficult problem comes up? As it turns out, when difficult problems did come up, he didn't handle them very well. He tended to lose his temper, make wild threats, etc. |
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02 Aug 02 - 04:32 PM (#758929) Subject: RE: BS: Meaningless phrases From: van lingle Made popular during the Senate Watergate hearings "...at this point in time." Always rankles me. vl |
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02 Aug 02 - 04:56 PM (#758947) Subject: RE: BS: Meaningless phrases From: Kim C I'll always think of you as a dear friend. I'd never want to hurt you in any way, but... Don't worry so much. Personally I thought of Eleanor Rigby's face in the jar as the happy face she wore to cover up the fact that she was lonely. |
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02 Aug 02 - 05:12 PM (#758957) Subject: RE: BS: Meaningless phrases From: Deda Watergate era left us the gem, "At this point in time.." (as opposed to this point in space? In depth? In what else, exactly?) My husband loves the expressions "pound the pavement" and "take a dim view", they're both kind of ridiculous. He frequently say, "I'm taking a hard look and a dim view of things" -- in the fridge, say, or in the mailbox. And a few years back when it seemed as though NATO's sole function was to threaten air strikes that never happened, we started using "threatened NATO air strikes" to mean "didn't like what was going on but couldn't do much about it" -- as in, his response to dinner being late twice in a row was to threaten NATO air strikes, or a kid's reaction to the end of summer vacation was to threaten NATO air strikes -- although with the grievous history of school shootings in recent years, that last one isn't as light-hearted as it should be. "If you don't get your feet off the coffee table I'm going to threaten NATO air strikes." |
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02 Aug 02 - 05:56 PM (#758976) Subject: RE: BS: Meaningless phrases From: Micca I once saw a sign in the window of a shop selling wine( UK off licence) that said, " Superior Vin Ordinaire"... puzzled me for a time that one.. |
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02 Aug 02 - 07:08 PM (#758995) Subject: RE: BS: Meaningless phrases From: catspaw49 I think you can safely add to this list almost anything written here by Little Hawk or Amos. Spaw |
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02 Aug 02 - 07:18 PM (#759000) Subject: RE: BS: Meaningless phrases From: Amos Spaw: You may not realize it -- in fact I am sure you do not -- but there is an important disitinction between "meaningless" language and "language I can't cope with or understand". I think your problem is in the latter category. You can compensate for this, however, by farting for us more often. That way, you won't feel left out! :>) Wodda boggin! A |
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02 Aug 02 - 07:31 PM (#759010) Subject: RE: BS: Meaningless phrases From: GUEST "I've read a good number of his books" Please define a 'good number' Are 1 and 2 evil numbers? |
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02 Aug 02 - 07:57 PM (#759025) Subject: RE: BS: Meaningless phrases From: katlaughing going to go take a piss (US) No, literally, where ya gonna take it? On a date, to meet your mom, tell us??!! errata: the shrub one should say "wouldn't be prudent at this juncture" Spot on, Spaw!! |
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03 Aug 02 - 12:09 AM (#759107) Subject: RE: BS: Meaningless phrases From: khandu Most slogans are meaningless...on every Wal-Mart (anyone else refer to it as WallyWorld) is written "We Sell For Less"...Sell what for less than who? "Miller-Made the American Way"...yeah, so is every other American made beer. Nuprin...Little, Yellow, Different, Better, yeah it is little, it is yellow, yes it is different because it is little and yellow, but better? Than what? Most ads are meaningless phrases. brought to you by Mudcat-25% less BS! khandu |
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03 Aug 02 - 07:37 AM (#759220) Subject: RE: BS: Meaningless phrases From: Big John I'm glad you asked that question. |
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03 Aug 02 - 08:16 AM (#759232) Subject: RE: BS: Meaningless phrases From: kendall Supper premium, Tax and spend democrats, for the most part, (by and large is a sailing term having to do with the set of the sails) irregardless, lots of anything. a number of things. |
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03 Aug 02 - 09:28 AM (#759247) Subject: RE: BS: Meaningless phrases From: GUEST,Fred Miller |
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03 Aug 02 - 10:09 AM (#759258) Subject: RE: BS: Meaningless phrases From: GUEST,Fred Miller Deda, I love threatened Nato Air strikes and will adopt it. Kat, almost anything uttered by the elder shrub turned out to be meaningless and so should be out of bounds, too easy, like hunting cows. My own favorite was when in a debate, about pursuing tax evaders, he said he "preferred to trust the American people." Cool, no more IRS! Send what you think is fair. Guest, "a good number" is a rare positive expression with no corresponding negative. The reverse is much more common. My clothes are shevelled, this place is in a total state of array, and I'm going up to bed at a godly hour, to read a bad number of books. (By the way, "Guest" is my cat's name!) I wonder if it's off-topic to include comparisons which get plugged back into themselves like a figurative extension cord, an electrical snake-biting-it's-tail symbol for infinity. When in a sauna someone says It's like a sauna in here. When getting on a bike for the first time in years, "it's like riding a bike." My wife worries about taking baths during a storm, but I figure the odds are like being struck by lightning. It's interesting how people take the Eleanor Rigby line,the face in the jar by the door, i.e. as make-up, or a happy face--I always took it that she had a look on her face like she'd been fucked with a dead cat. On the sarcophagus of a mummy at the children's museum in Indianapolis, painted on the breastplate there is a round "face" with two dots for eyes and a deadpan mouth, from which the Happy Face may have evolved. The smile associated with the Happy Face is, to judge from somber old photographs, a fairly recent innovation. On faces and Paul McCartney: Paul McCartney is, I think, a Facetarian, and won't eat anything with a face. Also; Picasso scholars and art historians continue to neglet his significant "Paul McCartney" period in the twenties, including such works as The Pipes of Paul McCartney, Two Paul McCartneys Reading a Letter, and a silverpoint drawing, Paul McCartney Abducting a Woman. |
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03 Aug 02 - 12:17 PM (#759311) Subject: RE: BS: Meaningless phrases From: X 'Nine out of ten doctors recommend 'it.' Just what in the hell is 'it?' |
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03 Aug 02 - 12:47 PM (#759316) Subject: RE: BS: Meaningless phrases From: Catherine Jayne "This isn't going to hurt".......you KNOW its going to hurt when you hear this!!! |
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03 Aug 02 - 01:01 PM (#759320) Subject: RE: BS: Meaningless phrases From: Banjer Going back a few posts to the phrase, 'To be honest about it' or 'Tell you the truth'....This one is so stupid when you think about it. If you ask a question and are told, To be honest about it....., doesn't that mean that everything else told to you by that individual is a lie? |
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03 Aug 02 - 01:16 PM (#759325) Subject: RE: BS: Meaningless phrases From: catspaw49 Carlin, in his last special mentioned one that has bothered me. The messages on phone recorders almost always includes, "We can't come to the phone right now"...........I think I figured that one out because the machine answered. Spaw |
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03 Aug 02 - 02:08 PM (#759347) Subject: RE: BS: Meaningless phrases From: Jim Dixon The word "um" is apparently meaningless, yet it might have some meaning. Depending on the context, it might mean, "Don't interrupt me! I need to pause for a second, but I'm not finished talking yet." In response to a question, it might mean, "I need a few seconds to consider my answer. Don't assume I'm ignoring you or I didn't hear you just because I didn't answer immediately." This was brought home to me one day when I actually heard someone SHOUT the word "um". It was in a factory, the two people were several feet apart, and they had to shout to be heard over the noise of the machines. One said, "LARRY! WHEN'S THIS JOB GOING TO BE DONE?" and Larry shouted back, "UM!...IN ABOUT AN HOUR!" I had to laugh. |
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03 Aug 02 - 03:30 PM (#759379) Subject: RE: BS: Meaningless phrases From: GUEST "A Magazine Dedicated to Blues and Folk Music" |
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03 Aug 02 - 03:32 PM (#759380) Subject: RE: BS: Meaningless phrases From: M.Ted "Meaningless phrases" is a meaningless phrase. |
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03 Aug 02 - 06:24 PM (#759447) Subject: RE: BS: Meaningless phrases From: Amos Well, perhaps we should call them paradoxical, self-contradictory, pretentius, semantically challenged, oxymoronic, vague, obscure, evasive, circumloquacious, or just ridickle-dockle. I just unwrapped a health-bar thing which informs me on the wrapper that it contains "Natural flavor with other natural flavor". Kinda leaves ya guessin', huh? LOL! A |
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04 Aug 02 - 02:17 AM (#759473) Subject: RE: BS: Meaningless phrases From: John O'L Can I just say something here? Or, Can I just ask one question? |
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04 Aug 02 - 02:58 AM (#759480) Subject: RE: BS: Meaningless phrases From: GUEST,ummerrr- transparent=clearasmud? In the absense of any real ideas GW Bush will now, I read, make Washington more 'transparent'. Does this mean we can now see through the shenanigans or that Washington has just realized they were caught fixing the election / war whatever? On the other foot, could it be that too much high priced old stinky cruddy coffee has become so common the public will gladly pay even more for empty cups? Transparent Coffee now the future of high yield investment! Or it could also be that Maul Wart USA is now planning a new ad campaign "Yoh Maul Wart will make yoh dollah go further " So they can now truthfully report - "Yoh dolla go to China, to Africa, to India, to Maul Wart"? Is 'transparent' a word for bigger things? Could it be inserted where one could have said ' we were caught fixing the books to make stealing your money but we are the GOP and can do to you what ever we please since we own the Judiciary'
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04 Aug 02 - 03:56 AM (#759508) Subject: RE: BS: Meaningless phrases From: GUEST,Gurney Or most songs by Don McLean. Like them though. G. |
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04 Aug 02 - 05:13 PM (#759721) Subject: RE: BS: Meaningless phrases From: Liz the Squeak It was in the last place I looked. Well of course, would you carry on looking? Well I found it 10 minutes ago but I thought I'd carry on looking..... Duh!! LTS |
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04 Aug 02 - 06:25 PM (#759762) Subject: RE: BS: Meaningless phrases From: SINSULL It's neither here nor there. My nephew uses this one to shut up disgruntled customers and it works. At least they don't argue that it is here or there. When my manager gets too pushy about projected sales numbers, I hold up a ream of paper and start trotting out the "definite maybies". |
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04 Aug 02 - 07:14 PM (#759791) Subject: RE: BS: Meaningless phrases From: Bill D "handsome is as handsome does" ...now, is that about as close to a tautology as you can get? I also could never see the profundity in "What goes around, comes around" |
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04 Aug 02 - 09:02 PM (#759827) Subject: RE: BS: Meaningless phrases From: bflat "I should think." Well, yeah, you should before you open your mouth. It is too wishy-washy. Ellen |
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05 Aug 02 - 05:06 AM (#759920) Subject: RE: BS: Meaningless phrases From: Mr Happy i'm frequently exceedingly irritated by adverts portraying music groups/ albums as being 'highly acclaimed' by who? also car makers ads will say 'car of the year'- only in their own opinion! doctors/dentists/scientists recommend.... well if they're employed by the ad makers, they'll say anything. 'real dry blackthorn cider-with added sugar & sweeteners' yukk! |
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05 Aug 02 - 05:52 AM (#759932) Subject: RE: BS: Meaningless phrases From: Schantieman ...and then there are (as someone intimated a good number of posts ago) all those opposites that aren't opposites of anything. When was the last time you complimented someone on looking hevelled? Steve |
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05 Aug 02 - 08:50 AM (#759975) Subject: RE: BS: Meaningless phrases From: Sandra in Sydney Callers who introduce themselves then briskly say "how are you" before starting to ask for what they want. So I always interrupt saying "Fine thankyou & how are you?" which always pulls them up short. Years ago I knew a woman whose greeting was (take a deep breath) "Hello, how are you, I'm fine, thankyou" all in one very rapid breath. Sandra |
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05 Aug 02 - 09:10 AM (#759986) Subject: RE: BS: Meaningless phrases From: Ringer "Half of one percent". We don't say half of one hour or of one mile -- what's so different about percentages? I think I could work out what "half a percent" meant. Oh, and while we're (or I am, at least) on the subject, if the headline says "Inflation drops by 1%" has it dropped from 5% to 4% or from 5% to 4.95%? |
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05 Aug 02 - 10:24 AM (#760030) Subject: RE: BS: Meaningless phrases From: Little Hawk At this point in time (if not in space) I feel it incumbent upon me to say a few words to clear the air. The well known commentator, Catspaw49, popularly known as Spaw, has uttered vile calumnies and preposterous accusations alleging the purported meaninglessness of my and Amos' postings on this forum. It should be abundantly clear that the aforsaid Spaw is merely simmering in a pot of his own devising. That is to say, he is rankled, he is perturbed, he is frankly devastated by the fact that his favourite creations, Paw, Cletus, and the Reg boys have been totally upstaged by the greatest entertainment icon of our times...need I mention his name? Well, his initials are W.S., and you all know who he is. His greatness precludes further mention, as it is indeed larger than this forum, and boldy goes where none have gone before. Spaw has no kirk or cranny left in which to seek refuge from his humiliation, so he seeks petty revenge by casting aspersions on the literary merits of myself and Amos. I suspect he has also by some insidious means caused several of my recent postings, over which I slaved at a hot keyboard, to vanish into hyerspace! Either that, or something is seriously wrong with "shorty". At any rate, I hope this one shows up. - LH
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05 Aug 02 - 10:28 AM (#760033) Subject: RE: BS: Meaningless phrases From: Little Hawk Ah, good, it did. Whew! How are you, Alan? :-) Don't let the bedbugs bite! Hot enough for you? Are we keeping you up? etc.... - LH |
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05 Aug 02 - 10:33 AM (#760037) Subject: RE: BS: Meaningless phrases From: Little Hawk Wha's happenin', man? I'm cool... Git down! Chill out... I am The Man!!! etc...check out old Shaft movies for the lowdown on all these kind of phrases. - LH |
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05 Aug 02 - 02:12 PM (#760138) Subject: RE: BS: Meaningless phrases From: GUEST "Everything happens for a reason..." |
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05 Aug 02 - 02:25 PM (#760145) Subject: RE: BS: Meaningless phrases From: GUEST,(Miss) Edith Etiquette Well, since you asked… ME: (after having a request fulfilled) "Thank you." THEM: "No problem." Leaving me to wonder if my request would normally be considered a problem but JUST THIS ONCE an exception was made. No problem does not acknowledge the expression of gratitude. My poor Thank you hangs in the air waiting to be completed by a You're welcome or an It was my pleasure or - dare I say - It was nothing; I was only too glad to... (Miss) Edith Etiquette, just keepin' it real (civilized) |
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05 Aug 02 - 03:57 PM (#760204) Subject: RE: BS: Meaningless phrases From: Micca A friend, after a very bad day at the office, visited one of those "fast food" places(with the Golden arches) and when the usual anodyne phrase was offered growled back" Do Not presume to tell ME what kind of day to have" and stalked out. |
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05 Aug 02 - 08:38 PM (#760374) Subject: RE: BS: Meaningless phrases From: SINSULL Micca luv, it sounds to me like your friend has no couth. |
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05 Aug 02 - 10:07 PM (#760403) Subject: RE: BS: Meaningless phrases From: Ebbie "I would like to thank..." Why not just do it? "I 'dialed' the number and it was busy." Huh? How long has it been since you dialed a number? But to people who are offended by 'Have a nice day'- are you also offended by - and wouldn't dream of using - 'Goodbye'? |
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06 Aug 02 - 06:50 AM (#760543) Subject: RE: BS: Meaningless phrases From: kendall What goes around, comes around, is an ancient saying. A variation, "A dog that will bring a bone will carry one away." The first means, How you treat others is how you will be treated. The second refers to gossip. If someone comes to you with gossip, they will go away with more. Another variation; If you can't say something nice about a person, let's hear it. |
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06 Aug 02 - 09:23 AM (#760588) Subject: RE: BS: Meaningless phrases From: Little Hawk Ummm...what did you say, Kendall??? What if we can say something nice, then what? Here's a meaningless phrase for you: "I could care less!" (Usually uttered by fools who mean to say that they couldn't care less...) Here's another: "Get lost!" (not to be taken literally) Here are some more: "Fuck you!" (definitely not to be taken literally) "Fuck off!" (same deal...) Most abusive expressions actually make almost no sense at all, despite remaining very popular. - LH |
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06 Aug 02 - 09:59 AM (#760602) Subject: RE: BS: Meaningless phrases From: GUEST,Fred well, many people seem to be quite annoyed by conventional phrases. I've always found them useful for those occasions when one is obliged to say something, but has nothing to say. I've never taken offense at the Mcphrase Have a nice day. But once after going through a long line at the drive-through the cashier said "sorry about your weight". I've put on a few pounds, but really it's none of their business, is it? So I said "fuck you, I mean really, just fuck off!" and sped away. Nobody notices if you say "six and a half of one and a dozen of the other." Art and writing critiques are a particular breeding-ground for pat phrases, because there is usually very little desire on anyone's part to say anything helpful or useful to anyone. Does anyone have any experience with this? What do people say to you after hearing your stuff? A painter friend of mine always used to get "this area seems unresolved" about her big abstract paintings. But she discovered that she could claim any area was a head--here's the eyes, the bridge of the nose, etc. and that seemed to fix the problem. Or, to dis anything, no matter what, you can say "I'd like to see this larger" thereby implying that it is okay, but the wrong size. I eventually couldn't abide that one, when it was used against a young student doing a good series of paintings. So when another student said he wanted to see these larger, I said he should stand a little closer to them. I once went out to a bar with some friends, I got up and danced, and when I came back to the table, a guy said "good job." I was having a good time till then, but suddenly was completely embarrassed. |
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06 Aug 02 - 11:16 AM (#760638) Subject: RE: BS: Meaningless phrases From: Deda From answering machines, "I'm not here right now..." Well, when and where are you, then? And you'd better arrive in the here and now as soon as you can, because here and now are all there is. OTOH, what they really mean is too cumbersome to say, along the lines of "I won't be here when you call, which is now for you as you hear this but later for me as I'm saying this, because if I were to be here you wouldn't be hearing this message, which you evidently are..." |
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06 Aug 02 - 11:21 AM (#760641) Subject: RE: BS: Meaningless phrases From: Deda "Increasingly" is also increasingly misused. I've seen thing like, "Glaciers are getting increasingly smaller", or "We take vacations increasingly less often." Those are oxymorons. I've also seen it as a ridiculous redundancy, as in "the baby grows increasingly bigger". As opposed to???? |
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06 Aug 02 - 11:34 AM (#760652) Subject: RE: BS: Meaningless phrases From: Uncle_DaveO Deda, "The baby is getting increasingly bigger" would mean that its growth is increasing geometrically rather than linearly. It's probably not true, but it DOES have a meaning. Dave Oesterreich |
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06 Aug 02 - 11:37 AM (#760654) Subject: RE: BS: Meaningless phrases From: Uncle_DaveO GUEST (Miss) Edith Etiquette: About the "Thanks"--"No problem" problem you cite, it's sort of like the Spanish "Gracias"--"De Nada" locution, meaning more or less "Thanks"--"For nothing". Dave Oesterreich |
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06 Aug 02 - 12:05 PM (#760675) Subject: RE: BS: Meaningless phrases From: GUEST,Colmbanus How 'bout fresh frozen, light yet filling or new and improved. Since when have we been running half marathons? Do we plan to throw half javelins and do half a pole vault |
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06 Aug 02 - 01:44 PM (#760766) Subject: RE: BS: Meaningless phrases From: Amos Half marathons for those who are half-fast? A |
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06 Aug 02 - 02:05 PM (#760771) Subject: RE: BS: Meaningless phrases From: Deda It occurs to me that when people thank me for anything, my usual response is, "You bet." I have no clue at all what I mean by that (bet what? bet on what?), now that I think of it, but by now it's probably too ingrained a habit to break. |
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06 Aug 02 - 02:25 PM (#760792) Subject: RE: BS: Meaningless phrases From: Little Hawk "You bet." I do that too. It's easier than saying "Well, it's certainly gracious of you to indicate your gratitude for the services I have just rendered on your behalf, and I wish to acknowledge your thanks in a totally satisfactory and reciprocal manner, which entails me thanking you...for having just thanked me. If I do that, however, I will expect you to thank me again...for thanking you for thanking me." And so on... I find that if you pull this routine on people too often, they usually stop thanking you altogether and may even get physically violent or verbally abusive. It's a better bet to simply say: "You bet!" - LH |
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07 Aug 02 - 10:22 AM (#761266) Subject: RE: BS: Meaningless phrases From: Ebbie When my folks moved from Oregon to Virginia I was 13 and acutely conscious of the differences between the wild and wooly Westerners and the more domesticated and genteel Virginians. They never responded with a cheery 'You bet!'. My mother did. Oh, how I cringed. :) |
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07 Aug 02 - 11:28 AM (#761292) Subject: RE: BS: Meaningless phrases From: NoMattch Worse yet is when people get phrases wrong, making them meaningless,like: "I could care less" instead of: "I couldn't care less" ...and 97% of the time that the word "ironic" is used. "isn't it ironic?" - Absolutely not!!! |
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07 Aug 02 - 12:14 PM (#761334) Subject: RE: BS: Meaningless phrases From: Little Hawk What it mostly amounts to is people imitating other people. Way back about 20 years ago some not too bright fellow started saying "I could care less", not being aware that he was making a mistake in language and should have said that he "couldn't care less". Others heard him, and starting saying it incorrectly too. Now more people are saying it that way than are saying it the right way. The same thing happened with the phrase "lie down" which has become "lay down" in common usage. Then there's "a long way" (to Tipperary or wherever). If you hang around with the less educated, you will find that they are sticking an "s" on the end of "way" for some reason. God knows why. They must have heard someone else say it that way. They also put an "ir" on the front of regardless. Let's put 'em all together... "Go tell the dog to lay down!" "I don't want to...it's a long ways over there, besides I could care less whether he lays down or not, coz he ain't my dog irregardless." Sad, isn't it? - LH |
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07 Aug 02 - 12:49 PM (#761361) Subject: RE: BS: Meaningless phrases From: Mr Happy re some of what's been said above, when people meet you they often say [ask?] 'how are you?' i think they usually don't want to know how you are, what does this question mean anyway? usu. q. + response is 'how are you?' - 'ok', 'alright'etc its a personal quirk, i'll sometimes reply 'as well as can be expected under prevailing circumstances' or 'can't complain, it depresses people' and get either a laugh/smile or odd look. is it just me? |
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07 Aug 02 - 01:38 PM (#761397) Subject: RE: BS: Meaningless phrases From: GUEST,Uncle DaveO My usual response to "How are you" is, "I think I'll survive till supper time." |
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07 Aug 02 - 01:45 PM (#761401) Subject: RE: BS: Meaningless phrases From: GUEST test |
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07 Aug 02 - 01:55 PM (#761410) Subject: RE: BS: Meaningless phrases From: Little Hawk Just reply "With consummate ease..." (after all, it is quite easy to be oneself). That'll confuse 'em! We do need some sort of way to address people though, don't we? What if when people met you they simply stood there and stared silently? Would that be preferable? How about if they said "Look, I really don't care anything about you or your state of health, but I feel I have to acknowledge your existence somehow, so...how are you?" It's simple politeness to say things like "How are you", specially if you can do it with a smile and some genuine warmth. Every culture has its own version of politeness. When you hear people arguing against it by saying that it is dishonest and meaningless, consider the possibility that they are becoming so uncomfortable with themselves, and life in general, that they can't be bothered acting decently to anybody else. One often sees this attitude in alienated teenagers... I find it hard to sympathize with them, although I can say I've been there. - LH |
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07 Aug 02 - 02:12 PM (#761420) Subject: RE: BS: Meaningless phrases From: Deda The older, more formal expression was actually even more meaningless -- "How do you do?" What on earth was THAT supposed to mean? How do you do WHAT? I do sing enthusiastically but sometimes flat. I do cook better than I used to. I do type passably well, depending on who's judging. |
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07 Aug 02 - 05:15 PM (#761485) Subject: RE: BS: Meaningless phrases From: Uncle_DaveO "How do you do" is essentially "How ya doin'?" That is, "How are you coming along?" "How is your life proceeding?" "How are you progressing in life?" Dave Oesterreich |
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07 Aug 02 - 05:19 PM (#761488) Subject: RE: BS: Meaningless phrases From: Uncle_DaveO And of course then there is: "How's life treating you?" My answer: "Not often enough!" Dave Oesterreich |
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07 Aug 02 - 05:26 PM (#761492) Subject: RE: BS: Meaningless phrases From: Ebbie Little Hawk, 'I could care less' came along a great deal earlier than 20 years ago. The first time I ever heard it was a bit more than 40 years ago. From my husband. And no, we were not in the middle of an dispute! |
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07 Aug 02 - 06:31 PM (#761521) Subject: RE: BS: Meaningless phrases From: Little Hawk Well, however early it was that it came along it indicates a degree of mental laziness that is pretty lamentable. If someone tells you they "could care less" they are actually paying you a compliment of sorts, albeit a feeble one. You could respond by smiling and saying "Really? How much less?" - LH |
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08 Aug 02 - 01:55 AM (#761712) Subject: RE: BS: Meaningless phrases From: Bert Re: "How are you", I much prefer the Cockney expression "How's yer belly off for spots?" |
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08 Aug 02 - 03:09 AM (#761737) Subject: RE: BS: Meaningless phrases From: GUEST No problem. (For the guy that says it; meaning - that's your problem.) |
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08 Aug 02 - 03:30 AM (#761741) Subject: RE: BS: Meaningless phrases From: Mr Happy plenty of Meaningless phrases in adverts. there was one for blade razors in which the slogan was 'this blade is twice as thin as other blades' did they mean 'half as thin' or 'half as thick'? any more? |
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08 Aug 02 - 10:43 AM (#761895) Subject: RE: BS: Meaningless phrases From: Little Hawk Yeah. Coke has been claiming for years to be "the real thing". Ha! - LH |
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08 Aug 02 - 11:46 PM (#762295) Subject: RE: BS: Meaningless phrases From: John O'L In an advert for toothpaste I think, a woman in a white lab coat, holding a clipboard saunters across centre stage saying "I know a lot about formulas..." Not enough,it seems, to call them "formulae". Courtesy of Billy Connelly's World Tour of Ireland last night: "There's a bug going around." "What's that off the starboad bow? Looks like a bug. Yep, it's a bug alright. Quick! Ring all the doctors. There's a bug going around." Glenn |
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08 Aug 02 - 11:50 PM (#762298) Subject: RE: BS: Meaningless phrases From: John O'L That didn't come out right. The passage missing says "You wait in a doctors waiting room for an hour and pay him $40 so he can tell you there's a bug going around." How does he know? |
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09 Aug 02 - 01:44 PM (#762660) Subject: RE: BS: Meaningless phrases From: Firecat Well, at the college I go/went to They said "You can't carry on a subject if you fail the AS Level". So imagine my reaction when I discovered that THAT was a meaningless phrase because they let one person who'd failed carry on!!! No fair! |
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09 Aug 02 - 07:19 PM (#762797) Subject: RE: BS: Meaningless phrases From: Gray D Get a life? Sorry, just couldn't resist it. |
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09 Aug 02 - 10:50 PM (#762856) Subject: RE: BS: Meaningless phrases From: DancingMom I know a guy that says, "Be that as it may." |
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10 Aug 02 - 08:08 AM (#762980) Subject: RE: BS: Meaningless phrases From: Little Hawk I say "be that as it may". It's a great phrase. Almost as great as "or a reasonable facsimile thereof". To characterize it as meaningless is unconscionable! I am...to quote every person ever quoted on the news after a death or sudden tragedy..."shocked and saddened". :-) Get a life, eh? - LH |
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10 Aug 02 - 11:46 AM (#763026) Subject: RE: BS: Meaningless phrases From: GUEST,sorefingers Hey Bert did you ever hear this one "Hows yer minge" First time I heard it I fell over laughing not then knowing what it was nor did I care, it sounds so funny in that cockney accent!
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10 Aug 02 - 11:51 AM (#763027) Subject: RE: BS: Meaningless phrases From: vindelis I hear what you say. (I should hope so). The retort to this used to be "And I note your concern". These days the 'in phrase' seems to be 'I see where you're coming from' - I wasn't aware that I was moving. Of course they are both 'fairly unique' UGH! |
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10 Aug 02 - 05:18 PM (#763108) Subject: RE: BS: Meaningless phrases From: Firecat I was watching Ella and the Mothers, and the solicitor in that said "First things first." Obviously first things come first, otherwise they wouldn't be first things! |
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10 Aug 02 - 05:38 PM (#763121) Subject: RE: BS: Meaningless phrases From: John O'L vindelis "fairly unique" maybe, but certainly not the most unique. Glenn |