Tuesday, August 21, 2012

Whatever


   Whatever it really a handy word.  I forget when it entered our language so conspicuously - perhaps in the 1990's? - but I find it useful and prevalent in my vocabulary these days.  It puzzles me.

    I have wanted to change out the countertops in the kitchen for several years in favor of something much more colorful.  RR thinks it is not the best use of our money.  I stop saying anything about it.  Whatever.

   The brace I use to support my knee is unraveling. I keep wearing it and figure what will be will be. Whatever.

   A science teacher is mad at me because she does not like the composition of her 6th period class.  I can't really adjust it much - it's a numbers thing.  Whatever.

   It's the first day back for kids.  My summer is over.  Whatever.

   My extended family is gathering at my home in two weeks to celebrate my mother's 90th birthday.  The yard needs attention, the menu needs adjusting.  Just tell me what you want me to do and I will take care of it.  Whatever.

   I am losing at WWF all over the place.  I get discouraged and I think it's just a game.  Whatever.

   Dinner?  Whatever.

   The national political scene scares me and overwhelms me.  I am angry and yet I say,  "Whatever".

   My portion of the health insurance costs has gone up again this year.  Whatever.

  Our city council just approved a project that, in my opinion, will affect the town negatively for years to come.  Whatever.

   The word "whatever" implies that the speaker has given up.  Another way to look at it is that it opens options.  If "whatever" means, I am curious and open to what is coming next, then to that I say, "Whatever."

  Whatever works until it no longer works.

 


11 comments:

  1. Yes, depending on ones inflection, whatever has several connotations. Whatever. I just don't like it when I hear the Valley Girl accent with it. At that juncture, I want to grab whatever is around and beat the person. lol

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    1. Agreed! The Valley Girl inflection reduces the word to ashes. Thanks for commenting.

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  2. Excellent. I'm with you on this. Whatever. In the second sense of the word.

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    1. Let's hear it for curiosity , heh? Nice to see you around , TL!

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  3. Whatever, indeed. In fact, exactly. The world would be a far better place were that to be our reaction to most things.

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    1. That's true! If world leaders could all be just a little less territorial and controlling, perhaps there could be more tolerance and less warfare? Good idea! Nice to see you, Tara.

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  4. maybe just be the right attitude! i am reading a book of saints lives and they all naturally give up expectations...
    I am your newest follower..pls follow back if you can.
    but ..whatever.

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    1. I think you are right! The saints had one purpose in mind - and everything else was "whatever" - thanks for following!

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  5. I've always thought of "whatever" in the first sense: implying that the speaker has given up. I like that it could also open options. All people should think of it in that sense, but...whatever.

    Have a nice weekend!

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  6. Whatever can imply defeat or curiosity and at the end of an argument at my house, it sometimes stands in for "shut up already!" Wedded blitz, er, bliss--I'll tell ya', it's not for the faint of heart. ;)

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    1. No, it is not. I don't know who it is for.... not me?

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