Thank you for having me

[Greg Pulliam]

There is nothing "smarmy" about this phrase. It is a gracious way so
say "you're welcome." Windmills.


>I'd like to nominate "Thank you for having me"
>for smarmy expression of the year.
>
>This is often heard on programs like PBS Newshour
>from people they have interviewed or had on a panel
>of some sort.
>
>I haven't decided whether the phrase is
>disingenuous
>obsequious
>or
>just plain smarmy
>but I keep waiting for the speakers to get down on their knees or something.
>
>On the other hand, it sounds like something a guy might say to a prostitute
>on the way out the door.
>
>Who knows.
>(Can't they just say the good old "You're welcome" after the host
>says "Thank you for coming"?)
>
>Put it on the MOST SMARMY PHRASE OF THE YEAR list.
>
>akra
>
>------------------------------------------------------------
>The American Dialect Society - http://www.americandialect.org


--
Gregory J. Pulliam
Humanities Department
SH 218 - 3301 S. Dearborn
Illinois Institute of Technology
Chicago, Illinois 60616

312.567.7968

------------------------------------------------------------
The American Dialect Society - http://www.americandialect.org