Lambent flickers of this topic have surfaced here and there around different blog sites lately, so I thought it would be a good time to bring it up.
Codes. Code words and phrases that we use with others 'in the know' when we are discussing something 'above the heads' of those who should not hear. Euphemisms... in a way... if you will.
Hearts mentioned this one in her "No Bull" post (and I quote), "For years, my husband and I used "Wonderful Person" as code for great lay."
Ally's mention of codes in today's post "In Which My Slothful Nature Allows Me To Successfully Rid Myself Of Negative Thoughts By Doing Next To Nothing"... (quoted) "And innovation must be his code word for lying". I think so... sounds right to me.
I thought about the codes that I use with different people.
Special = such a pain in the arse!! ...as in, "You are so special, God bless your heart". Said with a pained smile.
That's nice = go jump off a tall cliff! ...but this one is said in a certain way, with a southern drawl, very slowly, phonetically it would sound like... 'Theht's Naaaahss'... and it would be said with a tiny smirk and a glare.... i.e., "That's your ex-boyfriend's new love, she's gorgeous and so sweet!".......(tilt your head insincerely) "That's nice."
Heart of Gold = this is the precursor to the rest of the statement which is usually left unsaid but definitely thought... heart of gold, brains of sh*t. Sometimes we meet the nicest people... people you just can't say anything bad about because they are so sweet... but they just don't have the foggiest clue.... "She's got a heart of gold...... God bless her." this is typically said with a 'that's too bad' shake of the head.
That's Awesome. = That totally sucks! Said with a furrowed brow, dour expression and hands thrown back in defeat. This is one of my brothers favorites. I don't actually use this one... but he says it constantly. As in... "You locked my keys in the car? That's awesome."
There are others, but some need not be listed here...
What code words do you use? Let's see the list!!
Scarlett & Viaggiatore
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22 comments:
Frankly, I think "quite frankly" or "to be perfectly honest" is typically a sure tip-off to a lie that follows.
i totally agree with pawlie kokonuts.
the phrase 'To be honest with you' makes me automatically doubt the speaker.
i too enjoy the use of the term "special"
i also use the code "knowledgeable"
to mean something else.
Damn... well my dear, I shall be sure to be on the lookout in the future.
For those of you who missed that, PK and I like to trade subliminal tie-in's. This was a 'Gone With the Wind' one. Our Beatles song conversation was my favorite.
Scarlett & Viaggiatore
Hi Chesca!
Ok that's not right. We'll be having none of that clandestine teasing here young lady. What is knowledge 'code' for?
Scarlett & V.
Interesting... as in dull as ditch water
Odd/eccentric... as in so insane you should be locked away
Nice.. as in meaningless.
Good idea! ... as in you do it - I won't
Flamboyant .. as in as gay as a Brighton night out, also confirmed bachelor.
Borrowed .. as in stolen
I could go on its er...interesting.. (!) that they are all negatives I like to cover up.
Excellent topic. The only one that's coming to me right now is that when someone does something I find ridiculous, stupid, etc., I say "It's a choice."
Good morning Mutley!
Thank you for dropping by :o)
Ditch water huh? Fascinating.
Great list! Wow! Do you use those much? Other than this post, please don't use them here! Ha ha...
Just kidding.
Kind of...
Buon Giorno Sognatrice!
Thank you.
That's a good one. I'm going to have to put that one into practice... hmm. Today.
Scarlett & Viaggiatore
My husband's two best ways of getting what he wants...he says, "I'll just order it COD, or iwant.com".
COD: Call on Dad
.COM: (you guessed it) Call on Mom
As a teacher, my codes are most apparent in reports, 'Lively pupil' means never stays put for more than 30 seconds, 'contributes to class discussion'...never shuts up,' has some great ideas'...but can't write them down.
Also when someone is talking to you and they say, 'No disrespect...but...' you just KNOW they are going to disrespect you in a big way!
Hey Renee!
That's so funny. He's not spoiled at all... I see. Wonder which one delivers faster, or if it's both...
xo
Jon!
OH, those are so true! YIKES! And I thought my teachers LIKED me! Now I have to go back and read through all the ancient report scrolls.
Your 'no disrespect...' made me think of another very similar one, "Don't take this the wrong way, but..."
Scarlett & Viaggiatore
true true true, I always tell the kids how they need to improve and what they're good at, just sometimes it's hard to be totally positive...code helps. I'm sure your teachers loved you!
'Don't take this the wrong way...' My doctor said that to me only yesterday! :-)
I always use the codes to hide negatives as I said - slightly damp means soaking wet for example -lovely blog by the way Ms Scarlett - wereyou ever in Cluedo?
Jon,
Your DOC said that?! YIKES!!
best wishes for you there, my friend. ;o)
Mutley,
Please know that I really was kidding... kind of, hee hee.. everything I say is a joke by definition, unless I am being very serious, in which case there's never any question about it... not a doubt in anyone's mind that there is no joke, but otherwise, it's all giggles and fun.
I am very pleased that you like my page. I'll spend some time walking through yours today!
I'm afraid I haven't a Cluedo. But, if you clued me in, then I would!
*giggle* ~ you were just the victim of a Scarlett joke. My sympathies.
Scarlett & Viaggiatore
"Why bless her heart" means what a stupid thing for her to do.
Now I see what word caught your attention yesterday. Good post.
Hello Ally!
It is only a good post because you inspired me with the idea in the first place.
Glad you like it.
I heard a lot of that in the South... 'Bless her heart...' it does translate to 'you poor stupid fool'... or something close to that. It's a much nicer way to express it though, isn't it. Good one.
Scarlett & V.
Scarlett & Viaggiatore,
....Long story short....;0
rel
or how about "I love ___ but did you ever notice how..."
it makes me stop the person talking and say:
wait, do you in fact love ___? because it sounds to me like you don't.
i have used the word "knowledgeable" to respond to someone who constantly shares his/her never ending supply of facts.
as in: "you are so knowledgeable"
its a win win.
they feel happy and i get my suffering off my chest.
Rel!
I don't like anything shorter than the Readers Digest Version... too short!
Glad you laughed, nice to see you!
Chesca...
THAT was funny!!!! I laughed so much. Knowledgeable... I will have to remember that one for sure!
hee hee... very funny lady!
Scarlett & Viaggiatore
I agree with Pawlie! I am always suspicious of any sentence starting that way.
I can not think of a single code thing like these that I say. I have absolutely no tact. I just say whatever I mean. I've gotten to a point where I can say nothing at all if I'm thinking something negative, but just barely, and I suspect my face gives me away.
Hi Dewey!
I do think honesty is the best policy, but when honesty would hurt unnecessarily, then tact is often appreciated.
I thought of another one I used to use when I did business with people who had more money than sense....
"Isn't that FUN!" = that's the ugliest, craziest thing I've ever seen, you must be out of your MIND but since it makes you happy, you do it honey. God shorted you on brains and overcompensated with financial blessings.
Scarlett & Viaggiatore
The double-speak makes my head reel. Those closest exampe I can think of is anything starting with "you trust me right?" as a cue not to trust this next bit of judgement.
Hey Pearl!
Thanks for coming by!
*giggle* this made me think of car salesmen, attorneys and insurance salesmen right off the bat.
Damn shame I'm in insurance. ha ha ha.
Scarlett & Viaggiatore
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