Keep Talking
Daughter observed last night, "Mom, when you start a sentence with the word 'Candidly,' it's not going to end well for me."
This proves two things. My daughter is very observant and I have a limited vocabulary. So, I ask you, what's the word or phrase in your life which alerts everyone near you to duck and cover?
This proves two things. My daughter is very observant and I have a limited vocabulary. So, I ask you, what's the word or phrase in your life which alerts everyone near you to duck and cover?
posted by Unknown at 12:04 PM
46 Comments:
I don't think that I have one, although I do have a lot of pet phrases, but according to my cousins my uncle's was "the reality of the situation is ..."
Within my extended family we all start laughing at one another when someone starts a sentence with, "Actually, ....", it's run people run! time.
Recently it's been "Clearly..."
If you hear that: Run, run fast, run far...as if you're being chased by wolves on fire.
Although my friends say I get an expression that says the same thing.
Fun question!!!!
"Really? Really." Said in a disbelieving tone of voice.
I say "You know what?" in a very exasperated tone...
I hate that I say that, so it sort of kicks up the attitude a notch.
Peace - Rene
Mine's not so much a word or phrase as a sound - the slow, vicious hiss of an exasperated exhalation. Like a really mean balloon.
Listen.......
"Here's the thing..."
When I'm angry, I tend to speak in a very polite and measured voice. But it's just a little *too* polite and patient. Friends who have witnessed it report that it scares the willies out of them.
My word is "Anyway..."
I over-use it, and it's my version of "shut up"... ;)
Mine is some variation of "Okay, can I say just one thing?"
What I would love to be able to do and have never quite managed is to act like "Janie" in "Harriet the Spy." Whenever Janie is angry, she smiles hugely. The angrier she is, the bigger the smile. That always struck me as really cool when I was a kid.
"You're not going to believe this..."
"oh, dont worry about it" its a tish passive aggressive.
My husband says that any complement I pay him usually precedes a "but....."
Like Lisa I'm a "Here's the thing" guy, too. But for maximum impact, I usually precede it with "Alright."
With "Alright. Here's the thing..." I can drop the temperature in any room by ten degrees.
"Do you understand that..." As in "do you understand that you have now spent 20 minutes putting on your shirt and pants and you won't have time for breakfast before the bus gets here"?
Mine is when emailing. Everything starts with "Well,"
The other thing I used to do with my girls was sort of nod and smile while muttering "uh huh" which was a clue that I really wasn't listening to their drivel. I don't do it as much since they started calling me bobblehead.
"The thing is ..."
"Oh yeah?!"
'fine.' i say fine and my girls take a step back and get all twitchy nervous looking.
Ooooo... I don't think I have one, but my husband says "Can I tell you something without you getting mad?"
Um. No. Probably not.
"Fine".
Because then everyone knows it really isn't.
I don't know that I have phrase, but I know nothing good can from the question,"Can we talk?" Usually, it means that the other person has a complaint and wants to air it, but they really don't care to hear your side of it. It also doesn't matter whether you want to hear that complaint or not. Personally, I'd rather not talk about whatever it is and doing so usually just seems to make things worse.
And on that note . . . .
Those I love the most know trouble's brewing when they hear "just let me finish." It means I've already belabored a point and I'm shutting down their escape attempts.
When I was a kid it was my Mother's lips disapearing. She didn't need to say a thing.
For me it's, "I hate to say this . . ."
If you hear the words "that's it", you better be gone before I look up. I have usually reached my limit and whatever you were doing or wanting, you can forget about it. I've had enough.
My mother could just give a look and say all that and more. She scared me.
Oh, I do have something. "Honestly." If you hear me say, "honestly," be prepared for more.
"have a seat." At that point, she knows she's in for a lecture - or worse, a discussion! I don't know why I cross-examine my child, it's not like it works for me, either.
Seriously?
Seriously.
I've tried stopping, but.., really.., whatever.
When I say "please listen very carefully" it is scatter and hide time at my house.
"I'm starving."
If you hear me saying this, I am not responsible for anything said after the words escape my mouth until the food has arrived and been half eaten.
Nothing tells your own children they should stop listening to you now than when you start a sentence with, "When I was your age..."
"Honestly?" Whenever I hear that I just know that it's going to be something bad.
Our kids used to start sentences with "Not to be mean, but...", and "No offense, but...". We've put a stop to those types of comments.
"Here's the thing." I don't know what, but that sentence has power. Even now! The Grandgirlies say that they know I am serious if they hear it. Be advised, the operative word is if in this instance.
It is nice to have power, even if I don't know why.
"Look."
that's it. just that one word. with a particular tone of voice.
also, apparently, i am developing the ability to say volumes with just a facial expression.
"I'm not trying to start an argument, but..."
"So..."
A friend of mine was always lying when she began a sentence with "Honestly..."
"I have an idea..."
(My husband's eyes roll so hard it looks like they are trying to escape his head)
Not for nothing but....
"Now listen to me..." usually through gritted teeth. I know I have more, but that's the coup de grace. My boys are getting old enough to upgrade the eye-rolling to epic teenage proportions at most of my ranting lately. Can't imagine where they get such sassy behavior! My husband's is the disappearing lip thing - always has been. If his lips curl inward you'd better shut up and clear out. OR, as I am apt to do if it's directed at me because I'm evil, laugh. Yeah, that always goes over well. We've been together 20 years - if he can't take a joke... There's that sassy thing I've passed on to my boys. Sigh.
Husband saying "We need to (insert criticism or directive here) , and by we, I mean YOU."
Kathy
Mine is, "Seriously?...seriously??" -or- "Are you kidding me?". Of course, both are delivered in an aggravated, almost sarcastic tone. Seriously. :)
"Look -- in the grand scheme of things ..."
It's an ending summary rather than a beginning but same effect.
"I've been thinking."
My husband says that's when he knows he's going to have to move some furniture.
Mine is:
"You want to live to see Christmas?"
And I'm Jewish.......
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