There are several phrases and words that I wish we could, if not abolish, at least limit. “Awesome” and “incredible” are two, since very little is either.

“Thank you for your service” also bothers me, but, in this case, it’s because of its underuse. Why can’t we extend that gratitude beyond people who are willing to kill and die? I admit, I’m a pacifist, but even so, there are a lot of people whose service is worth a thank-you, including teachers, nurses, home care workers and garbage collectors.

However, the single phrase that bothers me most lately – and poses the greatest threat – is “That’s a good question.” Reporters, like all people, enjoy being told they’ve said something smart. However, with reporters, that can be distracting. It can “soften” their approach, deterring them from pursuing answers or asking hard or uncomfortable questions.

It also gives the person being questioned a chance to calculate how they want to respond. Perhaps “That’s a good question” is sometimes a simple act of civility, but its frequency makes me think it is more often a calculated response.

Maybe it has its place, though. Consider saying “That’s a good question” when a police officer asks, “Do you know how fast you were driving?” They might just be flattered enough to not give you a ticket.

Cathy Wolff
Kittery