Date : October, 2004 Characters (with spaces): 1615 Words : 297 Style: Brightener ******************************************************************* I'm going to make this short and sweet... By Dave Franzwa © 2004 Rights Reserved Whoever attached such a pleasure-invoking word like *sweet* to that common phrase, really did it an injustice. When have you ever heard anyone use that setence and sincerely mean that something pleasurable was about to take place? I'd wager never. In fact, it's usually followed by something that's not very sweet at all, like: "If you don't start (insert command here), I'll (insert threat of punishment here). An example of this might be: "Let me make this short and sweet! If you don't get that lawn mowed, pronto, there's no way you'll be watching any tv this weekend.  That goes for Nintendo, too. Comprende?" Far from sweet, isn't it?  Also, did you notice how "pronto" was used instead of "right now"?  Rather than validating the statement with "do I make myself clear", (my Dad's personal favorite), "comprende" was used to underscore the importance of following the instructions. Now, not only was the meaning of "sweet" thoroughly butchered, but to add insult, a foreign language has been thrown in to confuse matters. I would prefer "short and to the point."  I would even let you get away with "short and stern".  "Short and beating around the bush", although not doing anything for the original intention, would at least be somewhat amusing.  But "short and sweet?" That's like, "Dave.  I'd like to have a few words with you."  I'd know darned well that there was a lecture on it's way. Which reminds me.  I've been meaning to ask Mom the significance of ruining my middle name by only using it when I was in trouble. Yup! Forgot to mow the lawn. Just a thought. ******************************************************************** Dave Franzwa is the Wordwrangler of Work at Home Supertips Words of wisdom and encouragement for entreprenuers and other human types, woven from the experience of spending 50 (plus) years on the planet.  Feel free to use this article in any media you choose, just leave the by-line in place and hot-linked. ********************************************************************

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