People can say some strange things. Some of these statements are quite annoying, while others may be funny and enjoyable. Some of the things people say leave me shaking my head and wondering what they said and why they said it.
Do you know what I mean? I’m talking about things like asking, “Do you know what I mean?” I’ve known people who ask that question after every statement. Sometimes I’m tempted to say, “No, I don’t know what you mean, do you?” If they are giving me instructions on how to open a parachute, I want them to make sure I know what they mean; otherwise, please, just assume that I do.
Fast food drive-throughs are some of the worst. No, I’m not talking about when I’ve ordered a hamburger and they tell me, “That will be $32.98.” Just for the fun of it, I sometimes say, “Oh, I’m sorry, did I order a dozen?” I’m also confused why some burger places still call their burger a Big Mac or a Whopper. They should take a lesson from the Artist Formerly Known as Prince and call those the burger formerly known as “Big” Mac or the Whopper. I think they are telling us a whopper. Maybe they should call them the Little Mac and the Wimper. Sorry, I digressed on you there…but you do know what I mean, don’t you?
Some phrases and questions leave me a bit confused as to what to do. Why do workers at drive-throughs say, “That will be $423.89 at the window.” I’m like, “What are my other options?” I want to say, “How much will it be if I come inside and pay at the counter?” or “How much is it at the door?”
Why do people say, “That will be X-amount today?” How about tomorrow? Or how much was it yesterday? I guess I’m figuring since I’m buying it today, I’ll figure out that the price they give me is for, well, today. Why do they ask, “What can I get started for you?” I want them to get something finished for me! I love the ones who ask, “Can I help you…today?” I want to say, “I’m not sure, can you?” If you can, please do…today.” My high school English teacher would have said, “I don’t know, can you? You may.”
Why do people say, “I learned something today that I didn’t know.” If we already knew it, is that learning? In the good ole South, we have some sayings that go beyond explanation. Why does “I’ll be there directly,” mean I will be there sometime before the day is over? Do “Over there” and “Over yonder” mean the same thing? Exactly where is either, and is one further than the other? I am fairly certain that “Way over there or yonder” is further, and if you tack on the word way several times, it may take several weeks to get there.
Why did our parents ask us, “Do you want me to pull this car over?” I can tell you from personal experience that was a trick question. The answer was never yes, unless there was a drive-through where you pay at the window ahead.
Why do people say, “I don’t mean to be rude, when they are being rude?” Since I love a play on words, my favorite one is, “I don’t mean to be mean.”
I don’t mean to be mean with all these ponderings, I’m just wondering out loud why we say some of these things. Do you know what I mean?
Bill King can be reached at bkpreach@yahoo.com or 334-728-5514 (office).
