Senior Moments: Overused and misused words and phrases

“I won’t lie,” the woman holding several avocados said, “none of these are anywhere near ripe. It was a friendly enough exchange between two women who had just met at the fresh vegetable counter in the market. I had mused out loud that I needed an avocado for that night’s salad. While I appreciated her concern, I wondered why she felt the need to say she wouldn’t lie.

This now routinely used phrase seems to be permeating our culture.

“I won’t lie, I have a cold.”

“I won’t lie, my dress was not expensive.”

“I won’t lie, I hate my job.”

When did we develop the need to get a gold star for doing the right thing? I don’t expect people to lie to me, so I’m not impressed when someone begins a conversation by telling me that they are not going to lie. If anyone has any idea where this phrase started, I won’t lie, I’d really like to know.

While I’m on the subject of “who the heck thought this up?”, allow me to segue to the overused and misused word, grab. I might grab my car keys to run an errand, but never ever would I grab dinner. Perhaps I would share a leisurely meal with you or even let you cook dinner for me, but no grabbing.

Grab, by definition, is to take something roughly or hurriedly, or perhaps take something that does not belong to you. Someone grabbed your purse as you walked to your car. I’m losing my appetite just thinking about it.

The one that really niggles me, as my English friend Marian would say, is “Can I grab a moment of your time?” Only you know if you can. I can tell you, if you may, and be assured, the answer would be a resounding “no.” Nothing is more valuable than time. Why would I give mine away to a stranger who wants to grab a piece of it?

But, even if you could grab a moment of my time, what would that look like?

I won’t lie. I’d really like to know.

Email patriciabunin@sbcglobal.net. Follow her on Patriciabunin.com.