Now listen
How language quietly shapes us
Now listen.
To me. Kinda works.
Turns of phrase, taken literally, can be offensive. Not intentional—the literal meaning is hidden in the commonality of the phrase.
Listen to interviews on radio, TV, podcasts, wherever there is debate—I guarantee you’ll hear a counter: “No, listen...” Of course I’m fucking listening. It’s foghorn loud to me. Why? Because I’m ready for it.
Here, Australian Football dominates winter sports. A prominent pundit—ex-player, of course—continually goes to “now listen” or “no, listen.” The commonality becomes permanent. We oblige, we accept, we imbibe.
Language shapes us quietly. The phrases we swallow without noticing become the phrases we repeat without thinking.
Now listen—are you paying attention to what you’re actually saying?
Nick
