-Hope-

“Elocution would be worth the trouble if it did nothing more than exterminate the rising inflection.. No sentence or sentiment is immune. Simple ones, like I was really pumped? Or She had a gun? And she blew his head off with it? More complex thoughts—My girlfriend thinks Russell Crowe’s a hunk? But I think he’s an asshole?—may be expressed as two queries in one… Hopefully, a reflexive wave to personal humility and unknowable Fate, may have sprung from the same sources.”

Don Watson, Death Sentences p. 20-21.

Like Don Watson, I object to those who would begin a sentence with ‘hopefully’ to defer their opinions onto the listener. I also hate that I’m responsible for doing the same thing.

It slipped out earlier today.

“Hopefully, my boss will take the hint and write the recommendation now, since I’ve got less than a month left for consideration.”

If she doesn’t write it tomorrow, elocution is the least of my worries.

I mean, what do I say to her?

I’m really pumped about this job?
Or I’ve heard about this model employee who had a gun? And he blew off his manager’s head with it when she cost him a better job? More complex thoughts—My girlfriend thinks Russell Crowe’s a hunk? But I think he’s an asshole, so will you write the letter you promised?—may be expressed as two queries in one…

Hopefully, it won’t come to this, but I can’t make any promises. I’m almost out of inflections, so there nothing left to do but elocute* consequences.

*Verbed for your pleasure. If you don’t like it, you can Berryman off.