After six months of winter we’ll be happy to hear people ask, “hot enough for you, eh?” rather than cold enough. What I don’t want to hear is someone say, “man, this weather is to die for!”. I know that colloquially the expression means that something is so enjoyable, attractive or desirable that it’s worth dying for but I’m sorry, no, it’s not. We use expressions that really aren’t sensible, like “money can’t buy happiness”. Maybe not, but it can buy you moments of joy and supply you with good things along the road toward happiness. When someone says, “Let me tell you something”, I think well, I was hoping you’d say something instead of just standing there in silence. How about when someone starts with saying, “With all due respect”, you know you’re about to be disrespected. It’s similar to starting with, “No offense, but”, which the speaker believes grants them immunity from being offensive but you know that here comes an offensive statement. When they start with, “Needless to say”, I think well, if it’s needless then why even say it? Here’s one I particularly dislike: When they begin with, “To be honest with you”. Does that mean everything else you’ve said before is a lie? Finally, when someone starts with “How should I say this….”, I think,” How about by using your mouth to make words that form a coherent thought, and in English if you don’t mind”.

That’s Coffeetalk. I’m Vic Dubois.