The least I can do...
There are several phrases we mutter every day that make no sense whatsoever. Phrases that escape our lips without any forethought on our part, we simply say them because, well, everyone else is saying them.
Today's phrase is one that I'm guilty of using a few times myself, but I cringe everytime it leaps out of my lungs because I know better than to use it.
"It's the least I could do." is a phrase that I truly doubt anyone ever took the time to say to themselves slowly enough to dissect what it's really saying.
Hey man, I know it really put you out to be here on a Saturday and help me move all my shit, thus saving me five-hundred dollars that I can now spend on stuff I really want to spend it on, so thanks, and as a token of my thanks, here's a twelve dollar case of beer.
It's the least I can do.
Because aren't we all about doing the least we can do? Nothing screams gratitude like returning the favor with the least amount of sacrifice and effort possible.
Congratulations on 40 years of service to the company, here's a watch. It's the least we could do after forcing you into retirement.
Perhaps the gesture would be more appreciated if it were labeled 'the best we can do.' 'It's the best I can do' infers that you gave it your all, and these days, that's all anyone asks. We don't even care if you succeed at whatever you're doing anymore, as long as you tried your best.
Today's phrase is one that I'm guilty of using a few times myself, but I cringe everytime it leaps out of my lungs because I know better than to use it.
"It's the least I could do." is a phrase that I truly doubt anyone ever took the time to say to themselves slowly enough to dissect what it's really saying.
Hey man, I know it really put you out to be here on a Saturday and help me move all my shit, thus saving me five-hundred dollars that I can now spend on stuff I really want to spend it on, so thanks, and as a token of my thanks, here's a twelve dollar case of beer.
It's the least I can do.
Because aren't we all about doing the least we can do? Nothing screams gratitude like returning the favor with the least amount of sacrifice and effort possible.
Congratulations on 40 years of service to the company, here's a watch. It's the least we could do after forcing you into retirement.
Perhaps the gesture would be more appreciated if it were labeled 'the best we can do.' 'It's the best I can do' infers that you gave it your all, and these days, that's all anyone asks. We don't even care if you succeed at whatever you're doing anymore, as long as you tried your best.
posted earlier by DM, the resident idiot
13 Comments:
When people say that to me I always say "No, staying home and sitting on your ass would be the LEAST you could do."
Perhaps it's meant more tongue-in-cheeck. Poking you in the eye is the least I could do - so you'll take the case of beer and like it.
The best I could do? I don't even do that for myself.
Isn't it like saying you are worth this and so much more? Which is a good thing no?
I never say that. Now I remember why...I always thought it sounded so rehearsed and impersonal.
I think it is a great expression. A manager at IBM got me in a lot of trouble with my boss ( I was a subcontractor ), so I quit and moved to the west coast and used him as a reference, and the next day I had a job without so much as an interview. I called him to thank him, and he say, you guessed it, "It was the least I could do." In other words, I fucked you six ways from Sunday with my big fat mouth, but at least I could make it up to you in a small way. No skin off my nose, but a great help to you.
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Wow, check it out, new people!
New people rock! Welcome, and I'm glad you enjoyed it. Come back often, maybe someday I'll post something...friendly.
i am actually partial to "No offense but..."
For example:
"No offense tizzy but you really suck, like really, really bad!"
well its a good thing you said no offense or else I would be offended.
We tell our higher-ups all the time "it's least I can do" cause it sounds nicer than "thats all you are getting me to do fucker and be glad I did that much" hahahahaha laters......
i've never made that statement before. now i doubt i ever will. when you put it the way you did, it sure does sound pretty shitty.
Well, I came and commented on your blog after being on hiatus for a month or so. Its the ,i.least,/i. I could do.....
Hey, that's my motto at my job: It's the least I can do. I spent 8 hours each workday doing the least I can do.
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