Thursday, September 23, 2021

Monkey See, Monkey Do

Have any of you noticed how you'll hear a phrase or an expression that suddenly becomes universal and practically everyone you meet and everywhere you go people are repeating it?

And have you also noticed how when someone is diagnosed with a new mental or physical malady, suddenly 85% of the population has the same malady?

It reminds of "Monkey See, Monkey Do"...

Take for instance, Hypoglycemia. 

I clearly remember back in the early 90's when I first heard the word and discovered the definition of hypoglycemia. It was only a matter of weeks before I began hearing the word repeated on every news station, every talk show, and printed on every magazine cover. 

Hypoglycemia...Hypoglycemia...Hypoglycemia.

Even my haircutting clients would come into the salon and say, "Oh Ron..I think I have hypoglycemia because I have three cousins, two aunts and an uncle who were diagnosed with it last month and I have the exact same symptoms. I'm going in tomorrow for blood work."

And I'm thinking to myself, "Really!?!? How can that be? Suddenly every other person in the world has hypoglycemia!"

I mean, where was hypoglycemia before then? Was it hiding somewhere until the 90's to come into fruition? And why was everyone suddenly hypoglycemic? And was it actually true, or was it a combination of hypochondria and monkey see, monkey do?

And tell me, why don't we hear about hypoglycemia anymore? Has it run its course? I haven't heard anyone mention hypoglycemia in probably 20 years.  

And do you remember, Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?

Same thing.

"Oh, my doctor diagnosed me with carpal tunnel syndrome and I need to have surgery."

"Yes, I have carpal tunnel syndrome and it hurts like hell."

"OY VEY...I think I have carpal tunnel syndrome because my right wrist is in agony and I can barely pick up a knife to cut my steak!"

Carpal Tunnel...Carpal Tunnel...Carpal Tunnel

Suddenly EVERYONE was wearing carpal tunnel wrist braces, or being hospitalized for carpal tunnel surgery.

Again, where was carpal tunnel before then? Was is lurking in a tunnel? And where did all the people who suddenly had carpal tunnel syndrome come from? Was it contagious, or were those people just monkey see, monkey do?

And think about it, back then there was barely any internet or social media platforms, but had there been, I'm sure there would have been hypoglycemia and carpal tunnel syndrome memes plastered all over Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter. 

But to me, the most annoying monkey see, monkey do are the phrases and expressions that go viral. And I have always wondered who actually started these phrases and how (and why) they became viral. 

There are some that don't bother me, but others that make my ears catch fire and fall off every time I hear them.

Such as...

Lately have you noticed the phrase, "You got this!"? 

I have and I hate it with a purple passion. 

"Don't worry you got this, girl!" or "Dude, hey, you got this!" or "Seriously, you got this!"

And apparently I'm not the only one because I was curious and googled I hate the phrase you got this and discovered MANY other people who felt exactly like me. And some expressed themselves quite vehemently. 

Not only do I hear it on our city streets, but on Instagram video clips, and commercials. 

Everyone is suddenly saying You got this...You got this...You got this, and it's driving me friggin' INSANE!#*!

However, not nearly as insane as this second one:

A little over a month ago, I started hearing, "Unpack that" on the news whenever people were being interviewed and asked questions.

The anchorman/anchorwoman would ask the guest a question and then after they responded the anchorperson would say, "Whoa...that's a lot to unpack!" or "Wow...let's unpack that because what you said needs further clarity." or "How about we unpack that because I want our viewers to totally understand what you're saying."

In fact, one night I heard an anchorperson say "Unpack That" THREE times during an hour-long show. 

OMG...I can't even tell you how much that phrase annoys the livin' SHIT out of me. 

And tell me, please, what the hell is everyone suddenly UNPACKING?

This what I envision every time I hear that irksome phrase...

In conclusion:

So I beg of you. If you and I ever meet in person, please Mother of God and Baby Jesus, don't ever use the phrases "You got this!" or "Unpack This" because if you do...

I will come UNPACKED.

Have an expressive rest of your week, everyone! 💗 

*Please feel free to share any phrase or expression that annoys the shit out of you too!