Sunday

Is there another term out there used as frequently and with such varied meaning as "it"?

This thought came to me this morning at spin class when the instructor was describing a group ride headed up a hill and one rider decided to "punch it", meaning to accelerate the pace and challenge the other riders to match the move. Punching it is a popular term in NASCAR, track and field, and other forms of racing.

For those of us old enough to remember The Jackie Gleason Show, his trade mark saying was, "How sweet it is!" It in that context had a universe of meanings, but generally, that things were going well for Jackie in whatever situation was the theme for that particular episode.

In contemporary culture, "It is what it is" has become a staple of explanations for any fact pattern or status report on events or relationships.

Here's a no-researched list of Ten Uses of It:

1. Give it a go.
2. It hurts.
3. It was easy.
4. It was close.
5. It hardly matters.
6. What does it mean?
7. You're it!
8. Step on it!
9. Don't step in it!
10. Either you have it or you don't have it.

This reminds me a little bit of the girls' high school English assignments where they had to write a paper without using derivatives of "be". Try going through a conversation with out using "it".

On other things...

I'm again looking at blog topics that become more than lengthy Twitter updates. Getting past April 15th was a big step. Decompressing for 10 days has helped. At least I now have an interest in coming up with some new material.

As noted on Twitter, steaks and broccoli on Maplecrest Road tonight. I still got "it"!!!

Have a great week.

BCOT