Words are interesting means of communication. Even under the
best of circumstances with the most knowledgeable wordsmiths involved, a simple
conversation can result in a disastrous misunderstanding. Sometimes the tools
we use to transmit are at fault. Tone can get lost via email. Words can be hard
to understand when one or both parties are on mobile phones in noisy areas.
Many times it’s a case of semantics–the words someone else uses mean something
different to them than they mean to you. When there is a misunderstanding it
can be harmless, but at other times words and phrases can hurt feelings and damage
relationships. One of the phrases I’m trying to remove from my speech is “Like
I said…” I might use this when someone asks me a question I have already
answered, as in “Like I said, the Snickers bars are in the freezer.”