I have always admired the character who mastered the use of the triple negative, as in the phrase “not unmeaningless.” -George Will.
-
Smartphones were invented, in-part, so a certain person would not carry the Merriam-Webster Pocket Dictionary in his shirt pocket and embarrass himself, family, and friends. “Not unmeaningless” sent this person to Mr. Merriam and Mr. Webster’s titillating app in search of unmeaningless – no luck.
Speaking of words, and being a person of my age, I am appalled and tired at the coarseness of human invective. I take that back, invective is always course. I am appalled and tired of the coarseness of human colloquy.
Yesterday a vendor at a conference, selling expense report software, proudly wore a t-shirt emblazoned with “Expense Reports That Don’t Suck!” across the back. On stage, explaining her product, she was delightfully asked to turn around so everyone could read “Expense Reports That Don’t Suck!” Everyone laughed. This, a conference of CPAs! CPAs don’t laugh.
Being a person of my age, I remember when you (specifically me) did not say suck in mixed company. By mixed company I mean when talking to parents. My mother told me suck was “an ugly word.” Which was southern woman’s polite way to say, “I better not catch you saying that word.”
Now, the word is ubiquitous.
Is this diatribe “not unmeaningless?” Words evolve and people age.
George Will further explains not unmeaninglesses usefulness:
“Slip that labyrinth of a phrase in to a conversation and it will swallow up the conversation, setting you free from tiresome talk.”
How about you? Have a not unfavoriteless word? Share a story!
