Why is the cliche “at the end of the day” uttered so often in interviews?
It’s shorthand for “this is awkward to deal with properly, so instead I will oversimplify it”.
Lawrie Bradly, Surrey Hills, Victoria, Australia
• It may be a cue that somebody has run out of ideas.
Richard Orlando, Westmount, Quebec, Canada
• It implies an inevitable outcome to the topic under discussion.
Philip Stigger, Burnaby, BC, Canada
• With all due respect to the enquirer, at the end of the day it is what it is.
John Pomeroy, Stony Brook, New York, US
• Because when all is said and done, that’s what cliches are made for – interviews.
Greg McCarry, Sydney, Australia
• I don’t know. Wearisome, isn’t it?
Charles Bamforth, Davis, California, US
• It is the current version of “at this point in time” or that good old standby “I’m glad you asked me that question.” These phrases require no actual thought process to produce them, being a purely Pavlovian response to a predictable stimulus. Drawn out to their maximum duration, followed by a dramatic pause for effect, they allow the speaker to hastily cobble together a specious escape clause while appearing to give the matter due thought. Rather like the gaudy and elaborate wrapping on a cheap present.
Noel Bird, Boreen Point, Queensland, Australia
Blanketed in self-belief
What personal qualities are required for a successful career in politics?
Sadly, none.
Brent Tegler, Fergus, Ontario, Canada
• To be able to convince people that black is white, white is black and that grey is whichever of these colours your supporters and, especially, your political donors wish it to be.
Rob Stevens, Glenthompson, Victoria, Australia
• It seems being a solipsistic, narcissistic and sycophant might trump it.
Dennis Carter, Bendigo, Victoria, Australia
A true sign of affection
Do you have a pet name for the Guardian?
Since 1975 it has always been the Groaniad to this family.
Bill Keats, Kelowna, BC, Canada
• No! THE WEEKLY is THE WEEKLY is THE WEEKLY is THE WEEKLY …
Philip Stigger, Burnaby, BC, Canada
• The Paper Beagle.
Jennifer Rathbone, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
• Captain Planet.
RM Fransson, Wheat Ridge, Colorado US
• The guardian of the POLITICALLY CORRECT.
WP Johnson, Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia
• Lefty.
Jim Dewar, Gosford, NSW, Australia
It’s in the DNA
Why do we care?
While some of us just couldn’t care less and others are simply careless, the preferred state is not having a care in the world.
Anthony Walter, Surrey, British Columbia, Canada
• Many siblings of our ancestors couldn’t care less, and natural selection took care of them. So we all belong to a careful and caring stock.
Anton Digon, Vitoria, Spain
Any answers?
• Fake news is all the rage these days. But how do you spot it?
Irene Millicent Devons, London, UK
• As we get older we seem to sleep less well, often waking in the middle of the night. Why?
Anthony Davies, Burton upon Trent
Send answers to weekly.nandq@theguardian.com or Guardian Weekly, Kings Place, 90 York Way, London N1 9GU, UK
