"Extraordinary and Other Annoyances"

What is up with the english language? So many words, phrases and sayings that make me crazy! The one that makes me completely insane is "extraordinary"! It makes no sense at all! It is supposed to mean something incredible, amazing, different, unusual, special, etc. I mean come on! Break the word down. Extra ordinary. Wouldn't that mean extra boring? Super plain? Very normal? ummmm.....yeah.


Oh! I also had a reminder recently of another phrase of confusion. "Same difference". What? Is it the same or different? You tell me cuz I really don't know. And apparently since I have taken time to put it in a blog it must be extremely important to the future of the universe!


Here's one for ya. To fix something quickly with duct tape, staples or whatever...Do you call that jerry rigging, jury rigging or jimmy rigging? After a very long discussion on this matter the final answer is they are all correct! Crazy huh? In some parts of the country it's jury, referring to a jury in a courtroom that has been "fixed". Jerry rigging is said to be somehow related to the Germans in Word War II. But then where does jimmy rig come from? The guess is that in the south those who drive a GMC truck call them a jimmy or gimmy and know how to fix anything...


Point being, which one do you use? I really don't care other than I tend to be a person who can fix things with the most unusual tools and littlest amount of knowledge. A natural instinct if you will. I can't really cook but God blessed me with a husband who is a chef. Soooo...I do the sheetrock and electrical while he works magic in the kitchen.


I shall not continue for the hours it would take me to mention all of the english language issues that tick me off but I must make mention of just one more. You DO NOT shake your head yes or nod your head no! To shake ones head is a motion left to right to nod is an up and down motion...therefore it would be and IS nod your head yes and shake your head no...please. For the love of God and all that is holy get it right!


Whew! now that feels better. I must leave you however with my mother's classic and most hilarious faux pas. Whenever we would go out to eat or have a huge meal before us she would say "Let's eat ourselves into Bolivia." As opposed to the real saying, eat yourself into oblivion. Gotta love it!!!