platitudes mary The school, church, work place vocabulary, this manner of speaking in platitudes - empty phrases meant to massage all subversiveness out of language and at the same time, reinforce the power of the person who says them. Ah! that is what is beginning to irritate me so upon reflection. Platitudes are so prevalent, it is possible not to notice them being used around you. But you know them already, and you use them well. You've recognized them when reading the signs on the office walls: "Lack of planning on your part does not constitute an emergency on my part." You've observed the twisted logic in the excuses of why you must suffer: "If we make an exception for you, we will have to make an exception for everyone." I've pulled my hair at references to "bootstraps." You've cringed at false terms of endearment, haven't you "honey," "sir?" 010710 ... minnesota_chris You can spot phonies by the platitudes they use, the phrases and slang that people toss about when they feel like sounding smart without really saying anything. Church is a big place for this too, just like every other place where people with egos meet. When people are really talking, from the heart they are virtually incomprehendable, making up words or saying things in reverse order. If you take one of those phonies and start picking apart one of their platitudes, (say for instance "It's all good") asking if they really mean that cancer or getting your butt chewed by dogs is really that great. They'll either like you more or hate you. 030710 ... . what most advice consists of 070922 ... H. L. Mencken "Platitude: an idea (a) that is admitted to be true by everyone, and (b) that is not true." 081130 what's it to you? who go blather from