Site Logo

Life of an Architect

  • Podcast
  • about me
  • Questions / Contact
  • F. A. Q.
  • Do you want to be an Architect?
  • Architecture Books+
You are here: Home / Career / Say what you mean, mean what you say

Say what you mean, mean what you say

December 6, 2011 by Bob Borson 23 Comments

The message today is about taking a deeper and sometimes a second or third look at what appears to be an everyday common object, occurrence, or in my example, a phrase. All of a sudden, something you never really paid much attention to is everywhere and it takes on renewed meaning … maybe you realize that you have been saying it wrong for years. Did other people know you said it wrong and just didn’t tell you? How long have you been saying “supposably” instead of “supposedly”?

.

you can't eat your cake and have it too.

Common every day words and phrases – we hear them so often that we know what they mean even if we don’t say them correctly or know why they mean what they have come to mean.

“The proof is in the pudding”

“You can’t have your cake and eat it too”

These are two very common phrases and I bet that I have heard both of them at least once a week for the last several years. I would venture that everyone reading this entry today has heard them as well but have you ever stopped to think about what was actually being said?

“The proof is in the pudding” is not the entire phrase … it is “the proof of the pudding is in the eating”. The first phrase doesn’t make any sense … what’s “proof” and why is it in pudding? Oh course, once you see the entire phrase it makes a little more sense … if you want proof as to whether or not the pudding is any good, all you have to do is eat it.

How about “You can’t have your cake and eat it too”…? Of course you can have your cake and then eat it, the actual phrase is “you can’t eat your cake and have it” … you know, because of that part when you ate it. Again, everybody says it wrong but we all know what it means.

But now that I’ve pointed it out to you,what will you do next time you hear someone say it incorrectly or incompletely? Will you correct them? Will you start saying it correctly now even though when other people hear it your “new” way, it won’t sit quite right in their heads … like somehow you are the one who just said it wrong. Does it even matter that you’ve said it correctly when people know what you mean?

Words count for something and what you say and how you say it is important … including throwaway phrases. So when I am speaking to someone in any sort of official capacity, I try not to use throwaway phrases for the simple reason that they are throwaway phrases. Do you even hear them anymore?

At the end of the day, all things being equal, there are a ton of these everyday phrases and I try and avoid them like the plague.

.

.

P.S. –

you know how I have mentioned that I write these posts sitting on the couch? Well, sometimes things happen … words get misspelled, sentences run on for ever (because I’m paying attention to what just happened on Boardwalk Empire or House). Normally I can catch and fix these things without you ever knowing they exist thanks to my crack team of proof readers who send me discreet emails pointing out things…

So I typically make all the graphics on my site (as if you couldn’t tell … blushing … you’re too nice). Anyways, I found a typo in the graphic I made for today’s post and barely caught it before this went live but it was just too funny to not include, especially since today’s post was on what you say and how it matters.

Enjoy my mistake, included here because I am a real person who doesn’t sleep enough.

.

you can't eat your cake and have it too.

it’s a lot different without the ‘r’ isn’t it?

.

.

even better stuff from Life of an Architect

Clients and Online Dating
So sorry...it's a disease
Textures from West Texas
An actual day in the life...
The 10 Best Christmas Songs
The Pro's and Con's of Moonlighting
2021 and I am Full of Bad Ideas
The Best Architect in Dallas?
Small Residential Projects
What to get an Architect for Christmas 2011

Share this:

  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)
  • Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window)
  • Click to print (Opens in new window)

Filed Under: Career, Life in General, Observations Tagged With: career, conversations, Let's Blog Off

Search Life of an Architect

Trending on Life of an Architect

Architectural Graphics 101 - Symbols
Architectural Graphics 101: Finish Schedules
Architectural Graphics 101 - Window Schedules
Ep 117: Graphic Matters
Architectural Graphics 101: Cover Sheet
Architectural Graphics 101 - Wall Types
Graphic Standards for Architectural Cabinetry
Do you want to be an Architect?
Architectural Graphics 101 - Title Blocks
Graphic Standards - Part 2

Subscribe to Podcast

Apple PodcastsGoogle PodcastsSpotifyAndroidiHeartRadioby EmailTuneInRSS

Subscribe to our mailing list

* indicates required

Apparel for Architects

T-Shirts for Architects - Bob Borson

Support for Advice or Guidance

Thanks!
Other Amount:
Project Reference or Support for Questions Answered:

My “Serious” Disclaimer

The complimentary advice provided on ‘Life of an Architect’ is based on an abbreviated examination of the minimal facts given, not the typical extensive (and sometimes exhaustive) analysis I conduct when working with my clients. Therefore, anything you read on this site is not a substitute for actually working with me. Following my casual advice is at your own peril … if you want my undivided attention, I would recommend hiring me. Cheers.

Pages

  • Comment Policy
  • Privacy Policy
  • Architecture Books+
  • about me
  • Questions?
  • F. A. Q.
  • Do you want to be an Architect?
  • Podcast

Life of an Architect | Bob Borson

  • View lifeofanarchitect’s profile on Facebook
  • View bobborson’s profile on Twitter
  • View bobborson’s profile on Instagram
  • View bborson’s profile on LinkedIn

Archives of Awesomeness

Copyright © 2023 Life of an Architect

 

Loading Comments...