Dear Old Guy: Let’s not ‘do’
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Dear Old Guy,
This began as a personal quirk now it's become a life mission. I've had quite enough of the overuse of the word "do" as a universal verb. "Let's 'do' lunch on Thursday" or "Did you and the missus 'do' that movie you were talking about?"
I've heard very respected news anchors, big name preachers, secretaries of state, college professors all lazily cave to the handy "do" when a real action verb would have made their discussion much more exciting, not to mention intelligent.
I don't advocate the complete extinction of the word "do" since it has its proper place in our language. I'm asking you, personally to pay close attention to how many time you use the word "do" when a real verb would not have required any more thought or breath. Then, try to make the switch to eliminate 50 percent of the "do" in your conversation. It'll really make you more aware of the entire country's overuse of our lazy language habits. I've suggested this same challenge to a high school English teacher and a radio D.J. Each said I was full of "do" for worrying about it.
No need to print this unless you think it might create the kind of ruckus the confederate battle flag was subjected to. Then, I say,"Do it!" Thanks for listening,
Signed Mr.Findarealverb
Dear Mr. Findarealverb,
Your letter is exactly what I left my newly dead mother's graveside to respond to. Oh, how I've missed writing this column!
I understand your point entirely. It's annoying to hear supposedly well educated people take vernacular shortcuts; but ,as your letter proves intelligence is on the decline.
My peeve is when I hear newscasters mispronounce basic words as if they never heard of or read them before. I drives me crazy to listen to people call something like Rockland Harbor as the Rockland Harbor. I cringe when faced with words like volunteerism and phrases like validate my feelings. My wife said I should validate her feelings and I did... for up to two hours.
All that aside, I am quite insulted that you suggested that I use that word you dislike so much. In fact the last time I used do was at my wedding and it turned me off the word forever. Just kidding dear. —O.G.
Dear Old Guy,
I have remained fairly close friends with someone I dated seriously for several years and find that we are both single again. I'm entertaining thoughts of reconnecting as more than just friends but don't want to upset the applecart as I deeply value our friendship. I know there are cases where people divorce and remarry one another years later. What do you think of dipping back into the "already dated" pool?
Sign me, Getting my bathing suit ready
Dear Bathing Suit,
The time I tried entertaining thoughts none of them showed and I had to eat the hors d'oeuvres alone.
As your letter proves, boyfriends and girlfriends come and go. True friends are hard to find. That glib caveat aside, a recycled affair could work if lots of time and many gallons of water have passed under the bridge. First, take an honest look at the other person and see if the things that made you crazy unhappy in the first place are still there. Then take a look at yourself and see if the things that made him crazy are still there. If you haven't both grown beyond these issues then just enjoy the friendship. If you have each evolved, don't push, rather, let nature take it course. —O.G.
Dear Old Guy,
Recently my doctor wrote me a prescription for Viagra. When I got to the pharmacy I suddenly realized I was embarrassed to pick it up. What would you suggest?
Signed, Want my meds
Dear Want,
Frankly, I wouldn't know anything about this. —O.G.
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