How to Announce You're Lying

November 24, 2010
miproconsulting
Blog

Erin McKean, writing for The Boston Globe:

I hate to be the one to tell you this, but there’s a whole range of phrases that aren’t doing the jobs you think they’re doing.

In fact, “I hate to be the one to tell you this” (like its cousin, “I hate to say it”) is one of them. Think back: How many times have you seen barely suppressed glee in someone who — ostensibly — couldn’t be more reluctant to be the bearer of bad news? A lack of respect from someone who starts off “With all due respect”? A stunning dearth of comprehension from someone who prefaces their cluelessness with “I hear what you’re saying”? And has “I’m not a racist, but…” ever introduced an unbiased statement?

After reading this article, you will notice these everywhere. And you can add these to the already intentionally-muddy lexicon of labyrinthine business speak.

What’s the over/under on some smart company creating a swear jar for this?

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