Stupid expressions.

[Malc]

When people start sentences with "can I be honest with you?" or "can I ask you a question?" it usually means they have something insulting to say.

I always answer "no", and if they laugh and say "look, I'm going to ask you anyway..." I say "I said no..."

[lucy]

Love your post Bill.. but then again I'm not English

[Diane CBPFC]

I don't know if I'm British anymore. I wrote to the embasy about 15 years ago but they never replied.  I became a Canadian citizen after my first child was born but I did not renounce my British citizenship. I wonder...

[Bilthehut]

Thank you, Lucy.  You're welcome.

[Tarquin Thunderthighs lll]

I don't know if I'm British anymore. I wrote to the embasy about 15 years ago but they never replied.  I became a Canadian citizen after my first child was born but I did not renounce my British citizenship. I wonder...

I've been trying to renounce my British citizenship for many years, but they keep telling me I have leave the country first. 

[Vulture]

I don't know if I'm British anymore. I wrote to the embasy about 15 years ago but they never replied.  I became a Canadian citizen after my first child was born but I did not renounce my British citizenship. I wonder...

I've been trying to renounce my British citizenship for many years, but they keep telling me I have leave the country first. 

That's soooo unfair!

[Fyodor]

"NOTHING on fire is good. It's a stupid expression", says Roger.
Liar liar ....

[Bilthehut]

What about a warming log fire in the house during winter - given that you have a chimney and can burn logs?

[Max]

"NOTHING on fire is good. It's a stupid expression", says Roger.... and I bet he pinched that line from Joan of Arc 

[Roger Kettle]

The "I'm afraid" is obvious. It is short for "I am afraid you will be annoyed/disappointed/angry that I have to say no."

The house on fire one is similar to "I'm on fire!".

I think Roger is just making moutains out of teacups.

Mince, I realise what "I'm afraid" is short for. What I'm questioning is the USE of the word "afraid". To talk about "fear" when you're politely turning down an invitation strikes me as both odd and extreme---but it has become part of our language. When asked if you're going to the pub and you reply "I'm afraid not" is, on analysis, a strange response.
And, regardless of what you say, I can see nothing positive in equating "a house on fire" with a healthy relationship. I'm pretty sure that, if you had coined that expression today, it would be assumed that a previously stable relationship was about to crash to the ground.
So there.

[Vulture]

The "I'm afraid" is obvious. It is short for "I am afraid you will be annoyed/disappointed/angry that I have to say no."

The house on fire one is similar to "I'm on fire!".

I think Roger is just making moutains out of teacups.

Mince, I realise what "I'm afraid" is short for. What I'm questioning is the USE of the word "afraid". To talk about "fear" when you're politely turning down an invitation strikes me as both odd and extreme---but it has become part of our language. When asked if you're going to the pub and you reply "I'm afraid not" is, on analysis, a strange response.
And, regardless of what you say, I can see nothing positive in equating "a house on fire" with a healthy relationship. I'm pretty sure that, if you had coined that expression today, it would be assumed that a previously stable relationship was about to crash to the ground.
So there.

Well said, Roger!

[Roger Kettle]

Thank you, Darling!

[Mince]

You're clutching at straws, Roger.

[Fyodor]

Take care Roger. I'm afraid you're in danger of turning into me and that way madness lies.

[Malc]

I think one of the most stupid expressions is this - 


Another one is this -