Here's The Story

I went to a hockey game with my husband. Women’s. U.S. vs. Canada . A goal was scored and the “wave” went rolling though the arena. And I pondered aloud about who starts a wave. Is it just one person or do you need a group? Do you just announce to the people around you that after the next goal, everyone does the wave? Is it spontaneous or planned? Blah, blah, blah… So, I decided I wanted to start something. A little sociological study. And because I want everyone to love me; if everyone’s doing what I’m doing they must love me. What? Like you don’t have any issues.

I shared my ponderings and desire to my husband. I said to him, very quietly and in a bored tone, “USA, USA, USA.” Nothing happened. I said to him, at conversational level and still in a bored tone, “USA, USA, USA.” Within seconds, almost all of the people in the arena were screaming, very enthusiastically, “USA!!! USA!!! USA!!!” I assume the visiting Canadians did not join in. But I can’t say for sure. It was a pretty catchy chant. It went on and on.

It was almost disappointing that it was so easy. Still, I was heady with power and that’s when I started making my plans for world domination.

Wait, that’s not what happened.

Years later, I was reading about etymology and I began to ponder, because I often ponder, about where phrases and idioms come from. Sure, some come from authors, musicians, and world leaders. But most common phrases just show up at some point. And nobody ever questions it. So, I decided I wanted to start my very own idiom. A little sociological study. And I have issues.

That’s the story and I’m sticking with it.

Here's the Idiom

BLURRY AROUND THE EDGES

What the hell does that mean? This is a state of being. It is what it sounds like it is. Loosely translated it means, “meh.” A feeling of blending into the background. Not unseen, but unnoticed. For Doctor Who fans, it’s the equivalent of having a piece of TARDIS around your neck. For non-Doctor Who fans, you should watch it. It’s really good.

It’s an answer to, “How are you?”

Example: My wife’s been blurry around the edges lately, so I took her out for a romantic evening.
Example: Because I was feeling a little blurry around the edges, I took a vacation.


The idiom carries a connotation of ennui. Using the word “feeling,” in front of the phrase softens that connotation.

I looked around a bit (I add "a bit" because I don't want anyone bitching if I'm wrong) and did not see the phrase being used as a book title, song title, or album name. Which is too bad because it would be good for one of those. So far as I can tell it is also not a movie title or band name. Which is just as well.

Here's the Thing

I need help. I need your help. I can’t start an idiom all by my lonesome. Please use “blurry around the edges” in your speech and tell all of your friends to do the same. Tell them about the plan to start a new idiom. It may be the first engineered idiom. I think we can do it!

Here's the Blog

The blog will be around with sociological and etymological and anthropological and psychological information. I will report anything I do to promote the idiom. And any sightings of the idiom. Please let me know if you find people saying it or writing it or singing it or whatever.

Sunday, January 9, 2011

I did it!

Kinda. Not "Blurry." Another phase. I often use the phrase, "less than." As in, "That person belittles me and tries to make me feel less than." So far as I know, I was the only one who ever used it. And my husband agrees that he's never heard anyone else use it. And last night it was on SNL. I'm claiming it as mine. "Blurry" was a stupid phrase and that's where it all went wrong. I'm calling it done. I give up.
Posted by at 4:28 AM

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