I was waiting, not altogether patiently, for the plumber to come today and replace my upstairs water heater. I thought he said “Tuesday morning” but maybe not, And then the expression “It’s all good!” popped into my mind.
“NO IT ISN’T!” I said right out loud. And what does that stupid expression mean, anyway?
So I looked it up. According to Dictionary.com, it means everything is fine, despite any indications or fears to the contrary; there is nothing to worry about (often used in an insincere, dismissive, or resigned way). Often used as a waste of breath, if you ask me.
That made me think of something a teaching colleague once said to me when I was confiding some concern or other about my 95-year-old mother. “Bad things happen to people whether you worry about them or not.” I wanted to say “No shi*, Sherlock!” but for once wisely held my tongue. It’s been twenty years since I received that ridiculous “advice” and it still irritates me.
I guess it’s human nature to want to reassure ourselves and others when things are not heading toward a good outcome, But empty platitudes and inane clichés don’t do it for me. Just let me rant, please. Or maybe tell me “I feel your pain” if it’s something that applies to you, too. But for Heaven’s sake, don’t tell me “it’s all good”when it isn’t. Actually… was it ever?