One of the final things I'm doing with "Stay Awhile," and one of the final things I did with "Wilfair" and "Redwoodian," is going through and removing or changing common sayings I've used. In short, I'm de-idiom-ing the story.
I love a good idiom as much as the next gal, but I don't want to be the 418,987th person to say "flog a dead horse." Because, well? That would be flogging a dead horse.
It's a daunting task and I know I miss bunches of 'em, but I don't get too bent out of shape. ("Bent out of shape" qualifies in this category, right?)
But I catch what I can. For example, I'd change this:
"Gomery? Do you think those people will just disappear into thin air?" I asked.
"I don't know."
to
"Gomery? Will those people just, like, diffuse, before us, like an old smell?" I asked.
He sniffed and smiled. "I smell frosting, right now. Is that you?"
"Into thin air," as delightful and as understandable a phrase as it is, has been excellently employed by many other people. But I'm keen to not walk a well-trodden road. I'd rather leave the road and get stung by nettled weeds and possibly encounter a snake or two.
This isn't to say my idiom-based issues make me cool or anything; it's just a thing. I'm sure others might find me combing my stories for idioms to be unrealistic or annoying. They could be right.
ALL that said, it is time to name a favorite phrase, aphorism, or idiom. Me? I use the phrase "break a leg" far too often. I usually incorporate other body parts. "Break a hand!" I say, cheerfully, if a friend is writing a paper. "Break a vocal chord!" I say to a friend who has a singing gig.
You get it. Now, tell me yours?
Into Thin Air
