things we say...#2

 things we say...#3

                 

 
  This is the fourth segment of a six part series.  Things we say...follows, we say the darndest things (September 16, 2023), anytime you deal with the...(July 22, 2022), and, covid speak.....(February 19, 2021)

  Words, phrases, and, the English language can be intriguing. Besides hearing the same phrases repeated over and over, I find myself paying attention to the tone in which words are spoken to me too. 

  Technology has provided a myriad of ways to communicate, but, few things are as curious to me as how we choose to speak to each other. The beauty of it is we always have a choice of words we can use. We are also free to adapt whatever attitude we designate to display to someone in a conversation. 

  Depending upon the situation, the right words can inspire, build confidence, and, invigorate, while a negative choice of words can produce the opposite.   How powerful is that?    

   Case in point:  Last month, I called my auto insurance agency to find out the status of my subrogation case stemming from a collision last June.  The liability fell on the person who rear ended my car.  

  However, after a $500 deductible, my company settled with me for my totaled car with hopes of pursuing the offending driver and retrieving their outlay as well as my $500.  

  The woman in the agency I spoke with updated me on the case and told me to call every 30 days to check the status of the claim.  She was very kind, gracious, and, helpful, and before we disconnected, she repeated her invitation for me to stay in touch.  I thanked her for her assistance and she replied she was glad to help.

  Today, I called the same agency for what I thought would be a monthly update, but, it all went south when a different person answered the telephone.  

  I explained in one sentence the purpose of my call. Verbatim, here is what I was told:  The agency doesn't do that kind of update, you will have to call the company adjustor.

  HUH?  What's up with that?

  Clearly, I wasn't speaking to someone who was willing to go the extra mile for a customer.  The choice was hers.  She could just as easily have said she would be glad to help, but, she did not do that.  

   Of course, I could excuse her by saying she didn't know she could have given me the information, but, since each employee in the agency has been there for years, I doubt that is the case.  But, I will move on.

  Besides the posture we take in any conversation, I am intrigued by how phrases become so popular in pop culture and I have often wondered where and when phrases and expressions began or started.  

  Phrases are like like jokes.  If an anecdote is immensely popular, it seems to be locked in as part of pop culture.  How does that happen? It appears the most common way is by word of mouth.  

  The question is, who is the first person to start the ball rolling?  There has to be a first time something is said or told.  Who concocted the story?  Can this needle in a haystack even be solved?

  Just like jokes and stories, some phrases, idioms and words, enjoy a birth all their own.  Here are some examples that seem to be riding the fickle and ever changing wave of popularity.

  Recently, I walked through Macy's Department Store from the mall parking lot and as I came around the corner of an aisle, I side-stepped a man who was walking in the opposite direction, but, right in my path.  A collision was avoided, but, I said, Oh, I'm sorry.  He replied, No worries.  

  What does that mean?  Is he telling me he is not a gangster and I don't have to fear retribution?  

  Does he think I am worried about the near accidental bump and he is freeing me from having to be concerned?  I don't get it.  Everywhere I go, I hear someone say, No worries.  

  Did, No worries, replace, It's all good?

  How did, Of Course, become such a universal rejoinder?  When did its creation become standard speak?  How did it become so popular?  Who was the first person to utter the phrase as it is used today?  

  I have been told, Of Course, in several states in the past year, so, it must be widespread. The most common use seems to be when I say, Thank you.  Of course is said in such a manner the person is almost telling me that I shouldn't expect anything less from her or him. Maybe that is not so bad.  Could the phrase be helping to create a new standard of personal excellence?

  The Starbucks barista handed me my Pumpkin Spice Latte and I told her it looked great.  She immediately responded, Of course.  Was she saying to me, What did you expect?  Or, was she implying, Great, is all she can do?  I suppose the interpretation is open ended.  Either way, I am sure it is okay.

  Regina and I were out of town when we stopped a fellow pedestrian on the sidewalk to ask the location of a nearby store.  His reply, though courteous and helpful, began with, So. 

  In the past few months, I have noticed almost every explanation or thought voiced to me begins with, So.  So, you go down this street....  

  How did that happen?  When did the inception of, So, become common to preface an answer or explanation?  Someone had to be the first to initiate the word, but, who?  

   When I am traveling by air, it is very common to have someone say, Have a safe flight.  I don't really concern myself with the safety of the flight until someone says, Have a safe flight.  

  As a rule, I am not a paranoid person.  However, Have a safe flight, has the same effect as someone telling me to be safe walking down an alley at 3:00 in the morning.

  I have nothing to do with flying that plane.  What control do I have over safety issues?  I would rather hear, Bring me back an expensive souvenir, instead of, Have a safe flight. 

  The English language.  Words.  Phrases.  Idioms.  I wish I understood the roots of phrases like the roots of words are known.  

  I do get some phrases even if I don't know their genesis.  Bestie, basic, dude, amped, and, epic are pretty well understood.  But, I have to admit, I had to Google lewk, sick, dank, snack, smol, and, rent free.   

  Coming up:  another look at legacies; more POS and what they are doing now; lunch with the George Brothers, and; another oddities, observations, & ?'s.

  And, finally.  Regina and I live in a neighborhood of runners, walkers and bikers.  One block away is a four-way stop that fronts a one point one mile walking track and park.  

  It doesn't matter what time of day I approach this intersection in my car,  I know I am going to witness the rudeness, anger, or,  kindness of mankind.    

  If Car A goes before Car B (who had the right of way), I will hear an angry car horn blast.  If Car C doesn't come to a complete stop and rolls in front of Car B, that's twice Car B has gotten the shaft and Car B will put his arm out the window and shake a fist.  What does that even mean?  

  Car D gives up trying to figure out the proper sequence and will signal for all others to go ahead before him.

  HUH?  What's up with that?