“Thank you for reaching out!”: a phrase that should be banned

“Thank you for reaching out” is a phrase that I’ve noticed is used far too frequently. During the Olympics, BBC presenters used it when medal winners gave a minute or two of their time to conduct an interview after a grueling challenge. If I’d been an Olympian, I’d probably have punched said presenter. “Well done on such a wonderful performance” is what should have instead been said as no “reaching out” had actually occurred.

An example of a “Thank you for reaching out!” message
Advertisement

This tedious quip, usually accompanied by an exclamation mark, is a misuse of the English language that seems to have been accepted in all walks of life with gusto. It’s used by call centre staff trying to flog direct debit mandates for phony charities and it’s used most probably by double glazing salesmen when someone actually bothers to spend five minutes listening to their drivel.

Continue the thread

Two stories to keep beside you

The People of 2018 – The Best, The Worst & The Ones That’ll Be Missed – The Steeple Times selects the best and worst people of the year past and the ones that’ll be missed.
From the same Steeple territory

Minding the McCanns

With their libel claim appeal failed ‘missing’ Madeleine McCann’s parents need to scale back and stop blaming others £12 million of public money has been allocated to the search for Gerry and Kate McCann’s missing daughter, Madeleine. This astonishing sum came into play thanks to amongst others their friend and our now Prime Minister, […]

The May Turkey – Out-of-control Theresa May and People’s Vote – Matthew Steeples suggests Theresa May has lost control and urges readers to support a People’s Vote and the Put It To The People march.
From the same Steeple territory

The May Turkey

Matthew Steeples suggests Theresa May has lost control and urges readers to support a People’s Vote and the Put It To The People march The phrase: “Like turkeys voting for Christmas” came to mind as Theresa May attempted to urge Parliament to “do its duty” yesterday. This hapless harridan yet again showed her […]

The origin of the phrase, I imagine, probably came from some Scientology or Holy Spirit Association for the Unification of World Christianity type cult. I can just hear a preacher thanking his audience for “reaching out” just as he pockets their substantial donation. On this basis, let’s consign this hideous phrase to where it belongs: Siberia.