The photo above has nothing to do with today's post, but isn't Tuukka a majestic boy?
Last week's post got me thinking about the category of words and phrases I don't like, which got me thinking about "just." I first became aware that nothing good ever follows this four-letter word when we lived in the dorms. My telling a kid, "It's study hall, so you need to get off the phone," would be met with, "I'm just talking to my mother" or "I'm just finishing up" or "I'm just working out plans for my weekend" or "I'm just" any of a number of things that weren't doing what the student was supposed to be doing, namely not talking on the phone.
Justice (the concept, not the clothing store), on the other hand, I love. I'm a big fan of the idea that things should be fair. I like just rules and just plans.
However, I've noticed that any excuse that begins with, "I'm just" goes to places I don't believe in. I can think of several terms with "just" that leave me flat.
- just a little bit (when referring to dessert or anything I want more of)
- just us (when leaving people out)
- just in time (when I'm waiting for someone)
- just around the corner (when we can't predict the future)
- just because (when we have no real reason/excuse)
- just kidding (when someone's feelings get hurt)
- just deserts (when something bad happens to another person)
- just looking (when one's eyes wander inappropriately or when one doesn't buy something)
- just a minute (when someone's kept waiting)
- just my luck (when something bad happens)
- just what the doctor ordered (when the item in question isn't actually healthy)
- just one of those things (when we can't explain)
- just saying (when one's words are not nice or necessary)
- just as well (when it never is)
- just in case (when it might not be necessary)
- just married (well, this one seems okay now that marriage equality exists)
Overall, that's a lot of phrases that we'd be better off without. Think before the next time you start a sentence with, "I'm just" and ask yourself if what you're saying is an excuse for bad behavior. Is it? Just saying.
Have any comments? please share them below.
When you published the request for words we don’t like in last week’s blog, the first word I thought of was “just.” It’s always used to minimize something that the other person cares about. In your examples, the students are giving you excuses, saying that what you want isn’t so important. But the opposite can also be true: when we tell a child/student/whoever, you just need to do 30 minutes of homework before getting back on the screen, we’re saying that 30 minutes isn’t hard or isn’t a big deal, which to them, it must be or they would have done it!
Well said!
“Just” can also be said in unnecessary self-deprecation.
On several occasions, I have made suggestions to cashiers about something in their store, I have then heard, “I’m just the cashier.” So, after JUST thinking what the LEAST I could/should do would be, I’ve taken the time to suggest that the cashier may JUST be the most important employee in the store, at LEAST in my opinion
The responses I’ve received have invariably been surprise and delight at their new way of looking at their job.
❤️
Hi R. I love that. I agree that no person should think of himself/herself/themselves as JUST anything. We’re all more than one thing, all have the power to enact change, to improve our surroundings, etc. Thanks for writing that/reminding me.
Love that! And it’s true. They’re the ones dealing with YOU, the customer!
Ditto Viveca.