“It’s raining cats and dogs outside.” I had plans for the day, so this weather is making me “barking mad.” To top things off, I look over toward the front door to see “what the cat dragged in.” Out the front window, I notice my neighbors on their morning routine, enjoying their dogs, since “dogs are a man’s best friend.”
Laughter can be the best medicine. Today, October 13th, we celebrate Silly Sayings Day.
Knowing a few silly sayings will probably not be enough to get you a regular gig as a standup comedian. However, these silly sayings can help bring a smile to an overworked coworker worried about a big meeting. Dropping a funny phrase can be a nice icebreaker when meeting a new neighbor. Perhaps including a silly line can help you bring a little humor into a business presentation.
These silly sayings allow us to include humor to help make a point, which may therefore help the person remember that point a little more. For example, if someone is saying they expect a big windfall from an upcoming business deal, you can just note that you’ll have to wait till the revenue comes in before getting too excited. However, if during the conversation you mention “Don’t count your chickens before they hatch,” that does provide a nice visual to get your point.
These silly sayings are also just fun. In a conversation you can state that you heard directly from the boss that the company is putting in an offer to merge with another company, but then again, it can be fun saying you heard it “straight from the horse’s mouth.” Of course, if this information shouldn’t be shared outside of your group, you can remind your teammates that “loose lips sink ships.”
You found that you made a mistake at work. It happens. You made the necessary corrections, but now you must go to the director with a full report of what happened. As you get up to go to the meeting, you can tell your coworkers you’re going to a meeting, but then again you can tell them that you’re going to “face the music.”
Silly sayings can be fun. However, we should always be careful to make sure we are still communicating in a way that is understood by the other party. Keep in mind that some silly sayings may leave the other person a bit confused, especially if the saying is more meaningful for people in certain generations or from certain regions. If I tell someone I have “cotton mouth,” that may leave someone puzzled if they aren’t from the American South. I may have to explain a little further that I’m thirsty.
Today, have fun incorporating some silly sayings in your conversations. Keep in mind your audience and be prepared to explain the meaning to someone that appears a little confused. Along the way, you can give them something to smile about, and perhaps they can use it themselves.
Cup of Inspiration 
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