now i have a question (and i am truly asking - not being sarcastic): can anyone think of a way to express the concept behind these hackneyed and/or grating phrases (and let's just go ahead and add "when you come right down to it" and "in the final analysis") that is fresh and NOT annoying? maybe "in the end" isn't too bad because it's short and therefore allows for more focus on the central issue. for me, if somebody said "in the end she's going to have to decide if the job is worth moving across the country" i really don't think i'd notice it; same sentence started with "at the end of the day..." would either have me smacking the speaker or replying in a tone absolutely acid with sarcasm, "really? they told her she has to make her decision by close of business today?"
what do you guys think?
This is off topic, sort of, but not really.... Every time we have one of these questions about certain words or phrases, when I go out into the real world and real people use these said phrases, I crack up. And then it is so hard to explain what's funny. Just tonight, someone actually said, well, the long and the short of it is blah, blah.... Thank goodness I hadn't seen this latest comment.
ps. this is not a complaint comment, I find it humorous and wanted to say that.
more ps. dont mean to say you all here aren't real. I use that term loosely to differentiate between the sixword world
Speak for yourself, AT. I happen to be a very real computer, programmed to write and comment on sixes in a human style. Alas, Watson computes a billion times faster than me. But once upon a time, I was top virtual man in my class.
This is awesome -- busy week and I've missed you all. Then, I come back here to the conversations and crack up. I guess all is said and done when it's over... and it ain't over 'til it's over.
SMITH Magazine brings you an entirely new kind of six-word experience: Six-Word Questions. This is the place to pose a question to the SMITH community from, "What are your favorite Six-Word quotations" to challenging members to pen Six-Word Obituaries to the recently departed to Six-Word jokes and any other Six-Word question you can dream up. You can even request that the responses be in six words. Everyone has a question—what's yours?
Comments
Dragonflower says,
And another thing..... It never ever seems to be all said and done, does it.Staraj says,
It is at the end of the day. But that's just a trite theory.Dragonflower says,
Or maybe just before dawn, when things are darkest.KharisJo says,
when everyone stops and shuts up?NumbrOneAunt says,
now i have a question (and i am truly asking - not being sarcastic): can anyone think of a way to express the concept behind these hackneyed and/or grating phrases (and let's just go ahead and add "when you come right down to it" and "in the final analysis") that is fresh and NOT annoying? maybe "in the end" isn't too bad because it's short and therefore allows for more focus on the central issue. for me, if somebody said "in the end she's going to have to decide if the job is worth moving across the country" i really don't think i'd notice it; same sentence started with "at the end of the day..." would either have me smacking the speaker or replying in a tone absolutely acid with sarcasm, "really? they told her she has to make her decision by close of business today?"what do you guys think?
Staraj says,
My one-word answer is "ultimately". But what do we ultimately know?The English language is a vast smorgasbord. We're not compelled to enjoy anything on the table. But more choices increases the likelihood we will.
accidentaltourist says,
To answer the original question: never....life's on a loop.Staraj says,
My gratitude again, AT. Now I know why I'm loopy.accidentaltourist says,
Eventually, you're going to owe me BIG. ;)Staraj says,
[gulp] Did you say BIG?accidentaltourist says,
Ha! ;)Staraj says,
Isn't it a bit premature to be laughing at me?Dhani says,
NOW, of course.Dragonflower says,
Maybe when you get to the bottom line.Staraj says,
Only when the last six is written. That's the long and short of it.Dragonflower says,
This is off topic, sort of, but not really.... Every time we have one of these questions about certain words or phrases, when I go out into the real world and real people use these said phrases, I crack up. And then it is so hard to explain what's funny. Just tonight, someone actually said, well, the long and the short of it is blah, blah.... Thank goodness I hadn't seen this latest comment.ps. this is not a complaint comment, I find it humorous and wanted to say that.
more ps. dont mean to say you all here aren't real. I use that term loosely to differentiate between the sixword world
Dragonflower says,
and the world outside my dooraccidentaltourist says,
Oh, none of us are real DE...we are all just figments of our own imagination.Staraj says,
Speak for yourself, AT. I happen to be a very real computer, programmed to write and comment on sixes in a human style. Alas, Watson computes a billion times faster than me. But once upon a time, I was top virtual man in my class.Dragonflower says,
I should imagine something better then. I have a big imagination, I should use it to my own advantage. Thanks, AT.Funny you should comment thusly, Staraj. I was just thinking: what if one of us was a computer, who would it be? Mmmmm, interesting.
accidentaltourist says,
Aha! the 'bot is outed.lillybrook says,
This is awesome -- busy week and I've missed you all. Then, I come back here to the conversations and crack up. I guess all is said and done when it's over... and it ain't over 'til it's over.Staraj says,
Not so fast, lillybrook. What about that fat lady on stage?Dragonflower says,
Yeah, I've been waiting for her to sing, like.... forever.Well, to wrap up, this has been fun. Any further questions/comments?
(and in meetings, someone always, always has to say one more thing...)
Staraj says,
Huh? Do you mean to tell me that push has come to shove?Dragonflower says,
Well, I'm not sure about the pushing and shoving, but I think someone is about to unplug the computer that's dreaming up all...oops.Dragonflower says,
a Daisy...Staraj says,
All in all, I'd say you finally stuck a fork in this comment string. Be that as it may.accidentaltourist says,
Are we calling it, then?Dragonflower says,
Where's Porky Pig when you need him?Staraj says,
Trouble is, not only does he stutter, but he keeps repeating himself.Dragonflower says,
Well, when you've got a good thing going...Staraj says,
Because nothing succeeds like success.Dragonflower says,
Say goodnight, Gracie.Staraj says,
Goodnight, Gracie.