Dang, I Can't Use That Expression Anymore!

People talk about their lives and how others just don't know what it's like to be "in their shoes" or "walk in (their) shoes." My plan was to utter that over-used expression to Vivian someday. But.....

Now I can't! See for yourself.



Here is Vivian walking in my shoes before bathtime. So twelve years from now when she is a smart-elecky teenager complaining about me not understanding what it's like to be in her situation, I won't be able to honestly use the phrase, "Well try walking in my shoes!" Because, well, clearly she already has. And she seems to be walking just fine in them too. (sigh.... groan!)



Sadly, yes, those really are my shoes. A hideous pair of Crocs. I specifically chose the ugliest pair I could find so I'd be embarassed to wear them beyond the confines of my backyard. So far, it has worked. I only put them on inside the house and while walking around our lawn.

Vivian is really drawn to this pair though. I'm guessing it's the Jerry Garcia, acid-trippin' design on them that speaks to her.

As I thought of that "walking in my shoes" cliche, I began to remember all those other phrases that my parents, grandparents, teachers and other influences have said to me over the years. Words that I said I would never repeat but here I am uttering those very same syllables.

Words like,

I brought you into this world and I can take you out - sadly, I used this one just last week out of sheer frustration over my daughter.

It's not rocket science - oh then what is it? Chemistry? Physics? How did rockets get to be the chosen one?

Take the bull by the horns - Oh really, I don't see Lane Frost around, do you?

There's other fish in the sea -- my mom used this expression when I told her my boyfriend broke up with me in high school. Amazingly, it did not comfort me at the time. (imagine that?)

Pushing the envelope – Where are you pushing it to? the mailbox? the post office?

Bite the bullet - I'd rather bite into a big slice of cheesecake, thank you.

Beat a dead horse - Why? What did that poor horse ever do to you?

Better late than never - an excuse that tardy folks came up with?

Beyond the shadow of a doubt – Huh? Like the fictional character named The Shadow?

Easier said than done - it's easy to get confused over this one.

Hit the nail on the head - I want to shove a nail in my eye when I hear this one!

Insult to injury - Yeah, that's right. After you punch someone, call them ugly!

Lying through his teeth – ventriloquists do this during every act they perform.

Make a killing - Originated from mafia men, ya think?

The nick of time - Like when Nick Nolte was acting?

Straw that broke the camel’s back - Seriously? How could straw do anything?

Tip of the iceberg - "No Jack, wait!" "Rose!" (plus that annoying Celine Dion song is the the last tip I need...)

Tongue in cheek - started by prostitutes, perhaps?


But hey, let's not stop at just general advice-generated cliches, there are also way overused expressions in the workplace. Like for instance:

Thinking outside the box - makes you want to stuff someone inside the box and ship them to a foreign country

Synergy - be sure you say this one while prancing around in a tutu and heels

Take it offline - to be used in place of take it outside?? I'm about to kick your ass if you don't get off the internet?

On the runway - are you an airplane or are you auditioning for that show on Bravo?

Win-win - must say it twice so any moron can understand?

Get on the same page - what about just in the same book? Or forget that, let's just be in the same coffee shop.

Generation X - followed by Generation why?

Alignment - what are we aligning, our tires, axles?


What wellknown expressions do you use?

What commonly used phrases do you hate and hope to never hear again?

(Note: Sources used in this post were this and that.)