Don’t Fall Prey to Idiom Idiocy!

There’s much more to savvy social design than logos, color schemes and font choice. The words you choose and use play a large role in the perception of your expertise, or lack thereof.

photo credit: Xosé Castro via photopin cc

Per Merriam-Webster: An idiom is a rendition of a combination of words that have a figurative meaning. The figurative meaning is comprehended in regard to a common use of the expression that is separate from the literal meaning or definition of the words of which it is made.

We’ve all seen people mangle what we call a “turn of phrase”. Admittedly, it’s often funny. But when you’re trying to promote yourself as a savvy social business marketer, certain common word choice errors, which I’m calling idiom idiocy – as I can’t stop myself from employing alliteration whenever possible, it might very well make you look foolish in the eyes of your potential client. Some of these phrases may not “strictly” fall into the idiom camp – but again, for love of alliteration, I hope you forgive me!

Tongue In Cheek NOT Tongue and Cheek: Meaning that a statement or other phrase is made in an attempt at humor, is not seriously intended and should not be taken at face value. When I hear the botched version I immediately flash back to those horrible old Skoals commercials about a “pinch between your teeth and gum”. I don’t know why!

Bear With Me NOT Bare With Me: While you might be an especially handsome man or beautiful women, I’d prefer it if you kept your clothes on. We’re not THAT connected, OK? “Bear with me,” the standard expression, is a request for forbearance or patience. “Bare with me” would be an invitation to get “nekkid” together.

Whet Your Appetite NOT Wet Your Appetite: While water is essential to life as we know it, it’s not the “wet” you’re looking for. Water applied to an appetite would serve to “dampen” rather than increase it. And this phrase is about more than that gourmet meal. Per TheFreeDictionary, to whet is: to cause someone to be interested in something and to be eager to have, know, learn, etc., more about it.

Pass Muster NOT Pass Mustard: You’re not doctoring up a hotdog from a sidewalk vendor! The phrase means “to be judged as acceptable”. It comes from the idea of mustering forces, militia – an Army.

Tough Row To Hoe NOT Road To Hoe: I’ve seen plenty of road crews in my life – in Atlanta it seems every road is constantly in need of repair. That being said, I’ve never seen a crew member working with a hoe. That gardening implement is meant to create rows in which you’ll plant your crops (seeds). If you’ve ever gardened seriously – or farmed, you’ll know that’s pretty hard work. Hence the phrase, which means you’ve got a difficult task to carry out or a heavy set of burdens.

There you have it. Pithy phrases can draw in and entertain your audience. Or they can drive people away if you fall prey to idiom idiocy!

• Bio
• Twitter
• Latest Posts

Mallie Hart

After a long career as a graphic artist, web designer and ghost writer, Mallie found her true calling when personal social media embarked on the path leading to social business. While she still gets busy with graphics, most of her creative energy is now directed to unique social media content creation, curation and cultivation. Her dual love of graphic design and social media requires her to research, write about and promote a wide variety of topics while staying true to brand integrity. A research junkie - she majored in medieval history, Mallie enjoys the opportunity to find an interesting angle on just about any type of business or industry niche. When she’s not busy with The Media Barista, Mallie has been known to devour books (several per week), careen over rocks and roots on her bicycle and seek out the newest, edgiest music; all while drinking a lot of coffee.

@themediabarista

Caffeinated creativity and connections...building the best social media campaigns! #socialmedia #socialbusiness #socialdesign

The edit is as important as the writing! 30 Quick Editing Tips Every Content Creator Needs to Know: http://t.co/szf689wdkb - 1 day ago

Follow @themediabarista

Latest posts by Mallie Hart (see all)

• Don’t Fall Prey to Idiom Idiocy! - March 4, 2013
• 5 Must Listens About Social Design - January 30, 2013
• Social Media: Sometimes, Silence is Best - January 15, 2013