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Ruth Keesing, with her second husband Fred, began the Clinton
Township Newsletter in 1982. She loved reading, grammar, word usage,
doing crossword puzzles, the English language, writing poems and,
especially, this column. We traded books with one another for eleven
years, and often loved the same ones, despite the difference in our ages.
As you've read in her columns, she could find humor in everything. She
was a prolific writer and would often hand me two or three columns at
a time. Most especially (she would hate it that I used those two words
together, but they fit this instance) she was bothered by commas before
the word "and" (even though in some instances its usage is correct). Every
", and" met with her proof reader's red pen! If there's a patron saint of
editors, she's probably having a word with him or her right now. – JF
Locally Owned and Operated
by Phil & Diane Koury
185 Center St., Clinton
908.735.4499
"The only thing that overcomes hard luck is hard work."
~ Harry Golden
D O N ' T S A Y I T A G A I N, S A M!
by Ruth Keesing and
Chris Hollenbeck* (from 2009)
I love it when people tell me, "You look thinner", or, "I
enjoyed your column" or "My turn to pick up the dinner
tab". There are, however, some words and phrases that
I could jolly well do without. Maybe I should really just
"Get a Life", but...
ó Overuse of the word "unique" which cannot be modi-
fied. Nothing, therefore, is "very unique".
ó Using "disrespect" as a verb. Only rappers and TV
mobsters say "Don't disrespect me".
ó "Proven track record", which may have a place in a
resume but actually says nothing unless you're an Olym-
pic runner.
ó "Cutting edge" -- OK on the wax paper box only.
ó "Results-oriented", which I presume means, "Hope I
get it right this time".
ó All kinds of things have now become "events". House
on fire? It's a "fire event". Heavy winds become a "wind
event". My idea of an event would be the marriage of a
grandchild or my 85th birthday.
ó "Frenemies". Ask a teenage daughter what this one
means.
ó "Fabulous" -- Many things/people/places are so des-
ignated. Don't believe it!
ó "Whatever" -- Used to dismiss further discussion when
you're having an argument. I confess to using it quite of-
ten when Fred and I discuss politics or the temperature
setting on the thermostat.
ó "Congratulations!", when said to someone who just
purchased a new home or car. Why offer congratulations
for spending big bucks? Anyone can do it. This is heard
to great annoyance on home shopping TV channels.
ó "Bailout" -- Please - only in a leaky canoe.
Call me a curmudgeon if you must. It's kinder
than many things I've been called of late. Any-
way, Newsletter readers, "Have a nice day!"
* Chris was, for many years, my "Chief" Editor at Bell-
core and is forever smart (Mensa) and lovable. Thanks
for his ideas!
