On language
A couple of thoughts:
1. Where did the pejorative meaning of the term "womanizer" come from? Bear with me if I sound a bit Carlin-esque, but the definition of the suffix "-ize" is "to treat in a certain way; to make into."
By definition, then, wouldn't a womanizer be someone who treats me like a woman? After being with one, would I be *more* of a woman?
Sign me up! I mean, how and when did that term come to mean something bad?
2. A CEO I talked to this week told me that, despite his company's impressive revenues and growth, he and his business partner are hardly ever approached with takeover bids because of their reputation for being "cantankerously independent."
Needless to say, he was a very cool interview subject, even if it didn't provide the most juicy M&A story. "Cantankerously independent" seems like an awesome way to go about life in general.
1. Where did the pejorative meaning of the term "womanizer" come from? Bear with me if I sound a bit Carlin-esque, but the definition of the suffix "-ize" is "to treat in a certain way; to make into."
By definition, then, wouldn't a womanizer be someone who treats me like a woman? After being with one, would I be *more* of a woman?
Sign me up! I mean, how and when did that term come to mean something bad?
2. A CEO I talked to this week told me that, despite his company's impressive revenues and growth, he and his business partner are hardly ever approached with takeover bids because of their reputation for being "cantankerously independent."
Needless to say, he was a very cool interview subject, even if it didn't provide the most juicy M&A story. "Cantankerously independent" seems like an awesome way to go about life in general.
In good form
The Brits have a number of excellent turns of phrase, and one of my favorites is to say a person is "in good form," as in, "Giles was in good form at the party last night."
I like the implication that people comprise different forms-- the implication that one could just as easily be "in bad form," and that somehow that's natural and an OK part of being a person. That your friends can acknowledge when you're in good form, and in bad form, and that they understand you and accept you either way.
To be "in good form" sounds far more natural than its American counterpart, being "on your best behavior," which to me connotes more effort and strain than just happening to be in good form. You know?
Today was in good form.
I like the implication that people comprise different forms-- the implication that one could just as easily be "in bad form," and that somehow that's natural and an OK part of being a person. That your friends can acknowledge when you're in good form, and in bad form, and that they understand you and accept you either way.
To be "in good form" sounds far more natural than its American counterpart, being "on your best behavior," which to me connotes more effort and strain than just happening to be in good form. You know?
Today was in good form.
