Alternate title "Dictionosaurusopedia," but that's getting into Mary Poppins territory, methinks. The idea is to include everything, sensical and otherwise. There was more to it than that but the drinks made clear what is now unclear. Moving right along...
A more achievable project might be an updated version of Flaubert's Dictionary of Platitudes, a compendium of "idees recues" [excuse please, don't know how to insert Frenchy accent marks in this mode] of Flaubert's time, having to do with the trendy things to know about, and more importantly, the trendy ways to feel about them: what to view with horror, what to sneer at, what to regard with irony or detachment. A collection of literary, emotional, and stylistic cliches.
Some examples:
Not a problem - Say this to make people feel that there may have been a problem. Can also be used when someone is doing you a favor, to distract them from this fact.
Going forward - When explaining plans for the future (as opposed to plans for the past) use this expression to make it perfectly clear that you are aware of the linear, forward motion of time. Gives an impression of competence.
Firemen - Always heroic.
Cancer patients - Always brave.
Flaubert did this better, but you get the idea.
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
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