Words To Kill By, Again
Begs the question: I'm not "begging the question." Who's BEGGING? I'm just IGNORING the question. And you. Definitely you.
Cut to the chase: Is this "Hollywood talk," as in "This romantic scene is too difficult to get on film. Let's just cut to the chase scene ..."? That's it, isn't it? So then we can expect to continue to hear this phrase from, say, Martin Scorcese (is he still alive?), our movie director friend, but from no one else. Thank you! I'm soooooo glad!
The fact of the matter is ...: Let's get real, when writers or speakers use this phrase, they are just wasting your time and mine until they figure out what "the fact of the matter is."
Due to the fact that... This phrase is from the same family of phrases as "the fact of the matter is." Funny how all these phrases are about "facts."
Gone missing, Went missing Is there something wrong with the word "was"? Is it too confusing to use along with the word "missing"? See, all you have to say is say "She was missing" OR "He was missing" OR "We all were missing." You can do this! I am confident! Try it--try it now!
Cut to the chase: Is this "Hollywood talk," as in "This romantic scene is too difficult to get on film. Let's just cut to the chase scene ..."? That's it, isn't it? So then we can expect to continue to hear this phrase from, say, Martin Scorcese (is he still alive?), our movie director friend, but from no one else. Thank you! I'm soooooo glad!
The fact of the matter is ...: Let's get real, when writers or speakers use this phrase, they are just wasting your time and mine until they figure out what "the fact of the matter is."
Due to the fact that... This phrase is from the same family of phrases as "the fact of the matter is." Funny how all these phrases are about "facts."
Gone missing, Went missing Is there something wrong with the word "was"? Is it too confusing to use along with the word "missing"? See, all you have to say is say "She was missing" OR "He was missing" OR "We all were missing." You can do this! I am confident! Try it--try it now!
posted by Zed on Thursday, July 19, 2007
24 Comments:
I find the fact of the matter is usually opinion.
Exactly, Lynda! You're absolutely right!
So to extrapolate, we can say to the speaker using the phrase due to the fact that: "Don't you mean due to your OPINION?"--and thus we can lose every friend we've ever had. :) Too bad really. I like that answer. :)
I finished reading "The Elements of Style" this year. Your tips were very similar to the ones in the book (i.e. GREAT tips for writer wannabes). I'd love to learn how to cut the crap out of my writing. But then my blog would be empty. LOL.
There are so many dopey phrases like this. The worst is when I catch myself using them, which is frequently.
You're my hero.
Gone missing..
I still like it
Sushiboy. Ah, Elements of Style, one of my favorite reference books. I haven't read it in years, but obviously have committed it to memory. P.S. Your writing's fine. Stop picking on yourself! :)
Chris: feel free to pass on any crapola phrases you use so we can verbally assault you. :)
Beth: Thanks! Not only are you devoted to good writing as well as accurate grammar and syntax is highly commendable. Add to that great music lists, and you can't be beaten. No way.
Jen: Don't make me smack you. :)
Zed, you appear to have gone missing. Due to the fact that my toothbrush is at your place, I would like to stop over. Which begs the question, what's a good time for you? Let's just cut to the chase, where I chase you around the couch, and then I will make you a sweet meal.
The fact of the matter is, I need you to sew my shadow back to my feet.
Dear Peter,
I HAVE gone missing, Peter Pan Small, and I apologize for that. You can stop by at 7:00 if you'd like for dinner, but after that we need to talk.
The fact of the matter is, you are not the man I thought you were. Oh sure, you gave up your green tights for purple ones, but due to the fact that you are spending night and day with your friend Ronald and rarely have time for me makes me feel as if I'm being neglected. It might just be an oversight on your part, but let's cut to the chase, we need to work this out.
See you later. Please bring wine and I'll sew the shadow back on your feet.
I hate them all. I never say those phrases.
And if you'd like, you have my permission to smack Peter anytime you feel like it.
Thanks, Dick. I might have to push him off the balcony tonight. Too bad he flies ...
All gone missing, this is my personal turn of phrase :)
Tmollie, don't make me come down there to stop your destruction of the English language. :)
Beth, I wrote an unintelligible sentence to you in my comment up there ^^^. Would you buy it if I said I was testing your English-language abilities? :)
Well here is South Carolina they say "mash the button" instead of push the button. I never have gotten that one. But if I was in Canada it would be "mash the button, eh?"
Zed, so that is what it would take :)
I think I have lived here too long now.
I sometimes have quite the language destroying capability.
I know I've said "cut to the chase" quite a bit in my lifetime because I have very little patience but the others don't seem to make any sense.
Mash the button like potatoes? No way Mel.
Keep up the good work, tmollie!
Chelene, if there's ever a blog meet-up and you use the phrase "cut to the chase" while there, you might, and note I say "might" find yourself wearing the peanuts that are placed on the table. Just sayin'. :)
It is what it is.
Arghh!! I hate that phrase, Dale.
Sorry, but now I'm going to have to execute you at dawn. You don't mind, though, right?
One of my WTKB phrases is "originally from" - as in "she's originally from New York"
No she isn't. She from New York
Originally is tautology
I forgot to show up Zed, sorry!
Someone asked me the other day Gifted Typist if I was from Toronto and I said 'not originally'. That's okay right?
urc5PW Nice Article.
Magnific!
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