In its natural state, the child tells the literal truth because it is too naive to think of anything else. Blurting out the complete truth is considered adorable in the young, right smack up to the moment that the child says, 'Mommy, is this the fat lady you can't stand?
Judith MartinSmart people duck when they hear the dread announcement 'I'm going to be perfectly honest with you.
Judith MartinThere are three social classes in America: upper middle class, middle class, and lower middle class.
Judith MartinThe simple idea that everyone needs a reasonable amount of challenging work in his or her life, and also a personal life, complete with noncompetitive leisure, has never really taken hold.
Judith MartinPeople will say, 'Seventy isn't old, it's middle-aged,' and I think, middle of what - 140?
Judith MartinVisiting the sick is supposed to exhibit such great virtue that there are some people determined to do it whether the sick like it or not. ... All visitors everywhere are supposed to make plans to depart if they observe their hosts visibly wilting or in pain, but this is especially true at hospitals.
Judith Martin