So I've noticed recently that there's a certain word I overuse, one that I find myself saying all the time in all different contexts. What is it, you ask?
 |
| Image courtesy of Marja Flick-Buijs, rgbstock.com |
Yes, the word is okay, and in Dana-speak, it means at least five different things. No wonder I use it so much--talk about versatile!
First, there's the Apologetic Okay. This is the kind of okay I use when someone rear-ends my car, sneezes in my face, or accidentally pushes me down a flight of stairs. The scenario goes something like this:
The Perpetrator: I'm so sorry I hit your car/sneezed on you/pushed you down those stairs, causing you to break your leg.
Me: That's okay.
Next, there's the Wishy-Washy Okay. This one can make my authority (such as I have) seem pretty weak, as in the following example:
Me: Kids, the living room is a mess. You need to pick up your toys. Okay?
Kids: (continuing to watch TV) Yeah, sure Mom.
The third okay is the Reluctant Okay. This is the one I use when I really don't want to do something but don't know how to get out of it. Example:
Teacher at my son's school: Would you serve on the community relations committee? It really wouldn't take much of your time.
Me: Um...okay.
Fourth is the Noncommittal Okay, which--as one would suspect given its name--gives no indication of my true feeling and is often used in response to the following question:
Friend: How are you today?
Me: (thinking about the fact that the bank has apparently "lost" some of my money) I'm okay.
And finally, there's my favorite okay, the Enthusiastic Okay:
Husband: Let's go out for dinner.
Me: Okay!
(Now if only this last scenario were true!)
So what word do you overuse? You'll tell me, right? Okay!
Who knew that okay could mean so many different things. And there's just as many ways to spell it: okay, OK, ok, Ok. I use it a lot too. I'm trying to catch it in my writing, but it still comes out too often.
ReplyDeleteI think I'm pretty good about keeping it out of my writing, but when I talk? It's like my go-to word! LOL
DeleteAnd this highlights why I didn't jump on the chance to try this challenge. It's a clever challenge, but I don't have clever answers. You certainly do!
ReplyDeleteAw, thanks, Wendy. That's really nice of you to say.
DeleteDoes it have to be a real word, lol? I use crapola a lot. It helps with refraining from swearing.
ReplyDeleteNope. (And I think that's awesome!)
DeleteMine is Yeah Whatever oops that's two words, sometimes with an Okay in there. :) Thanks for the laugh. :)
ReplyDeleteLOL
DeleteYou're welcome. :)
I'm an Okay Abuser too. We also say, "I'm not sure..." a lot around our house -- my husband, daughter, and myself included. And I say, "Oh, boo!" anytime I'm disappointed by something.
ReplyDeleteFun question, Dana!
I love "Oh, boo!"
DeleteThanks!
LOL; I would always enthusiastically say OKAY to a dinner out suggestion! Cute Okays! Mine is probably "that's too funny" when in actually a lot of the stuff actually isn't too funny at all. Maybe I need to catch myself a bit more and not say it as much :)
ReplyDeleteenjoy the rest of your day :)
betty
Thanks, Betty! You, too. :)
DeleteI overuse the word "sure." It can mean so many different things--"yes," "maybe," "that's a terrible idea but I don't have the heart to tell you."
ReplyDeleteLove this :)
I use "actually" a lot. I'm not sure why I feel the need to clarify that so many of my statements are in point of fact. My 4-year-old has started to pick it up. "Actually, I don't want to go to bed." You reap what you sew.
ReplyDeleteThis made me laugh! I can just picture a four-year-old saying that. Too funny!
DeleteWell if you ask my husband, it's "actually" or "actually, no". LOL so I love it that someone else had "actually" as well. I would say I overuse the word "really!?!". I use it a lot to sub for WTF at work. :)
ReplyDeleteLOL Good sub!
DeleteI think I say "knucklehead" a lot.
ReplyDeleteWhich makes me feel like a real..."bananahead."
I have a friend who says knucklehead all the time, but I wouldn't call him--or you--a bananahead. :)
DeleteKnucklehead is a great word to use!
DeleteAgreed. :)
DeleteI say "silly goose" at work a lot. Didn't realize I did but oh I do. Because now the kids say it to each other.
ReplyDeleteDon't eat the play dough, silly goose.
Blocks don't go in the paint, silly goose.
Keep the door closed when you're in the bathroom........... silly goose.
Today a girl found a toy drill in her tote bag. She pulled it out and announced with a funny look, "Who's the silly goose who put a boy toy in my bag?"
BTW, I've never called it a boy toy. Isn't it interesting how girls and boys associate certain toys with certain genders.
That's funny! My daughter also calls toys "girl toys" and "boy toys," and I have no idea why. My son doesn't do that. Strange.
DeleteOkay. I think I overuse "okay," too!
ReplyDeleteLOL
DeleteOh my! I use "okay" as my catch-all as well. Lol. But I'm guilty of using that word when I have no idea what to answer. Like when my friend asks, "Me and my new guy... Our chemistry is evident, right? I mean, when you look at us you'd see that spark right away." Me, at a loss and taken aback, nods and says, "Okay." in a slow, hedging way ;)
ReplyDeleteLove your example! :)
DeleteI use "cool" a lot. Everything's cool. I'm cool. You're cool. It's cool. Yet when I write, I use "just" a lot. I'm always deleting all the just's in my stories.
ReplyDeleteI've been guilty of overusing just.
DeleteThanks for your comment, Christine. You're cool. ;)
Wonderful description of the word Okay - I see myself in all of them. Sadly, the words I overuse are not words that should be written down - ugh. I have grown too familiar with them and they need to go away.
ReplyDeleteThanks!
DeleteI'm more of a nod my head and act like I'm listening type person. The kids hate it when I reply, "hhhmmm..." without looking up from my computer. Mind you, mine are teens, so if I do look up, they stop talking. They much prefer it when they think I didn't hear a thing:)
ReplyDeleteLOL Funny!
Deletegood job
ReplyDeleteeduacationmalik.blogspot.com
maulanamalikt.blogspot.com
You know, I'm having trouble coming up with what my word is. I'm SURE I have one (or ten) that I use all the time... Maybe it's more of a phrase; I use this one a lot: "Basically, what it comes down to is..." It's kind of an annoying phrase, ha!
ReplyDeleteLOL I'm sure I have more than one as well, but okay is definitely the one that sticks out most.
DeleteWow, Dana...I think I do that a lot too. I'll have to think about it to see if there's a word I use more!
ReplyDeleteI say it without thinking now; I need to watch that. :)
DeleteComing from another person named Dana, I'd say my most frequently used phrase is a long and drawn out "oh man..." because there's usually something unbelievably ridiculous happening.
ReplyDeleteNice to meet you, Dana!
DeleteI love "oh, man..." My sister-in-law says that all the time, and come to think of it, my son also used to say it a lot. I think he picked it up from Dora!