“Trite words are safe words”

We’re all guilty of it. We use phrases that have become cliché and really make no sense if we stop and think about it. We rely on these worn out expressions primarily because we’re either too lazy or uncreative to think of a different way to communicate our thoughts. So, in my opinion, here are a few phrases that can be better conveyed. Some of my suggestions will make you appear brilliant, and others, may get you in trouble.

Worn out term: “It is what it is….”

Often used when we’re informed of some blunder that’s already occurred. Usually accompanied with a shoulder shrug and raised eyebrows when stated. Instead, try these:

”There’s no control over what did or what is about to happen”; “We can’t do anything about it now”; “We’re doomed”; “Oh well”; “So what?”; “Like I care”; “That’s the way it goes”; “We’re going to be staked out in the desert and consumed by fire ants because of this.”

Worn out term: “Do you know what I mean?

We used to ask “you know?” at the end of a sentence as a filler while we formulated our next words. We really aren’t seeking feedback or testing the listener’s knowledge. Usually a phrase condenses over time. However, this term has expanded. There are better ways to express “do you know what I mean?’ Here they are:

“Do you comprehend that which I’m speaking?”; “Have you any thoughts regarding my end of the conversation?”; “Do you understand my linguistically brilliantly developed commentary?”; “Do you have any clue what I’m talking about?”; “ Can I have some feedback?”; “Nod your head once in a while so I know you’re awake?”; “Are you dead?”; “Can you feel the whispered vibrations of airwaves issuing from my pursing lips?”

Worn out term: “think outside the box.”

In an effort to encourage us to expand our thinking and to come up with more creative ways of doing things we’re often told to “Think outside the box”. What’s funny is the suggestion to think beyond the box is so unimaginative we are actually confined inside the box. So, I’ve left the box and wandered around the perimeters. Here’s a few alternatives:

“Think beyond boundaries”; “We need to think beyond the endless space of imagination”; “Think past the end of our nose”; “We must conceive that which may appear to be unattainable”; “We must creatively ponder about endless possibilities”; “We need to scribble outside the lines”; “Embrace the idea that there are other answers past our own.” “We need to ponder beyond yonder.” (That’s my personal favorite. Conveys the idea with few words. And, it rhymes!)

Finally, I come to business corporate jargon. In October, 2010 President Obama signed into law the “United States Plain Writing Law.” It requires all federal agencies to write in plain English instead of using judicial and legal terminology. It would be great to expand that idea to presidents and CEO’s of major corporations. Below is a sentence that could be uttered in any boardroom or press release from business leaders. I haven’t heard these words strung together as I’ve done but many of these terms have been used in various meetings. To be straight up I’m not sure if some of these words actually exist but, you’ll get my point.

“Let’s segue into the inevitable crevasse of integrated solutions with a key enabler that is restructuring oblated circular nuances that environ colaterated attainment of focused astuteness forged to assay synergistically monetized core competencies.”

Meaning: all your jobs are being outsourced to India

Have a great day! And remember to think outside the box, if you know what I mean, because after all, it is what it is.