THE
EXTENSION OF ENGLISH
We say “ab-so-lut-ely”
When what we mean is “yes”
Four syllables have more emphasis
Than a single one – I guess?
And instead of “Now” we say
“At this moment in time”
Padding out a sentence
Is not a grammatical crime.
“I myself am of the opinion …”
What’s wrong with “I think”?
Its meaning is the same –
It’s short – and it’s succinct.
“There you go”- “I mean to say”-
“You know what I mean” -
All these pointless phrases
Dot the vocal scene.
English can be a concise language
But in recent years there’s been a trend
To use six words where one would do
And every sentence extend.
Are these meaningless words used
Because we are so vexed
By the savage abbreviations
Of the world of the text?
May 2007
