What Words Mean
Marketing Unplugged: Pot Pourri
1. Egyptian Cotton Bed, Bath and Beyond wants me to believe that sheets made of “Egyptian Cotton” are the epitome of luxury and that my bed partner and I are worth the price bump. They tell me that Egyptian cotton is synonymous with “comfort, opulence and sophistication, the perfect indulgence for snuggling up, getting comfy and letting…
Read MorePandemic Ponderings: Heinous Division
“In the criminal justice system, sexually based offenses are considered especially heinous. In New York City, the dedicated detectives who investigate these vicious felonies are members of an elite squad known as the Special Victims Unit. These are their stories.” For over 20 years the word “heinous” has been hammered into the American vocabulary via the…
Read MoreFirst Evers, Chapter 2
1. Respect I had heard about athletes being “in the zone.” I particularly remember the Kansas City A’s hall of famer George Brett talking about those out-of-the-blue days when a baseball inexplicably looked as big as a melon. Brett just couldn’t help but hit a home run and “go downtown.” It never occurred to me…
Read More5 Best Idioms Using the Word Shit
Every language is enlivened by its array of idioms and my impression is that English is particularly well-endowed, perhaps because Shakespeare played for our team. I have collected dictionaries of idioms, including specialized references, such as idioms of the army (i.e. FUBB) or idioms of the sailor (i.e. son of a gun). Each year there…
Read MorePodcast: 5 Best Idioms Using the Word Shit
There are so many to choose from, which are the best?
Read MoreThe Best Shit Has to Offer
Every language is enlivened by its array of idioms. Americans seem to be particularly fond of the word “shit”, perhaps because these idioms take advantage of the tension between the taboo of a body effluent and the titillating guilty pleasure of potty humor. Unlike many idioms that are based on local history, religion, geography or…
Read MoreMarketing Unplugged: Madagascar Vanilla
Recently we dined at a local bistro, a casual spot falling comfortably between family dining and fine dining. Very straight forward entrées – grilled rosemary chicken, grilled salmon, various pasta dishes – but I was confused by the description of the crème brulée on the dessert menu – “Creamy Madagascar vanilla bean topped with a layer…
Read MoreDear Caitlyn Jenner
Dear Caitlyn Jenner, I am a woman whose biologic, gender and sexual identities are comfortably aligned in the dominant fashion, but am ready, willing and trying to embrace the full spectrum. I have made a lot of progress. I accept the limitations of a binary approach to identity and the word ellgeebeeteecue rolls off my…
Read MoreThe Wisdom to Know the Difference
What would our economy be like without the work-around – a critical job niche that has employed some of the most creative minds. Intricate cross functional teams immediately spring into action whenever a new law or regulation is introduced, charged with finding and exploiting even the slimmest loophole. Lawyers, bankers and accountants are prominent members…
Read MoreBuilt Like a Brick Shit House
The scene is very familiar. A group of couples come over for a casual summer barbecue. As the host you are responsible for the entrées, but your guests arrive carrying guacamole and chips, salad ingredients or dessert, or perhaps a couple bottles of wine. After initial pleasantries, the group naturally splits in two, the men…
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