Killer Phrases

Killer Phrases

Words that kill imagination, creativity, exploration, and wonder in children also provide challenges for adults to overcome.  Faced with real world problems, we need every critical thought we can generate, even if it is outside the box.

The phrases become killers when used to shut people down, stop looking for better ways, terminate exploration, and close down wonder.

Killer Phrases 2012-04-22 update

...silence...

Be ladylike.   (Emma Rosenthal)

Be practical...

Because I said so. (Richard Ewald)

Behave. (Loren Miller)

Children are to be seen and not heard (Richard C. Brown)

Crucify yourself daily.

Crucify yourself in imitation of the crucified Christ

Do you realize the paper it will create?

Don’t be so disruptive.   (Emma Rosenthal)

Don’t be so negative.   (Emma Rosenthal)

Don't be ridiculous.

Don't fight city hall.

Don't rock the boat.

Don't waste time thinking.

Focus on the positive.   (Emma Rosenthal)

Forget.

Forgive.

Get a committee to look into this.

Get over it!

Great idea, but not for us.

Have you heard that one before? ex-xians. (Nerdless)

I am going to beat the bjesus out of you. (Richard C. Brown)

I don't have time.

If it ain't broke...

I'll get back to you.

I'm the one that gets paid to think.

It can't be done!

It has been like this since Cain and Abel!

it isn't the right time.  (Emma Rosenthal)

It'll be more trouble than it's worth.

It'll never fly.

It'll never work.

It's just human nature.  (Chris Barna)

It's not in the budget.

It's not your responsibility.

It's out of scope.

It's too far ahead of its time.

Just Remember things you love about your husband.

Kill them with love and kindness. (Richard C. Brown)

Let's get a committee to look into this.

Let's stick with what works.

No!

Obey.

Obviously, you misread my request.

Oh, you can’t reason with children. (Richard Ewald)

People don't want change.

Put it in writing.

Rejoice in your crucifixion.

That sounds like something my kids would say.

That’s not polite.   (Emma Rosenthal)

That's irrelevant.

That's not in your job description.

The boss will never go for it.

The competition will eat you alive.

The poor will be with us always!

They can kill u but can’t eat u. (Richard C. Brown).

This isn’t the time.

This isn't the place.   (Emma Rosenthal)

Turn the other cheek.

War is war!

We agree to disagree. (Richard Ewald)

We have to appeal to (white) middle America (though they never SAY ‘white.’)   (Emma Rosenthal)

We haven't got the manpower.

Well, that’s your opinion. (Richard Ewald)

Well-behaved women RARELY make history! (Loren Miller)

We've always done it this way!

We've done all right so far.

We've tried that before.

What will people say?

When we are weak, He is strong. (Nerdless)

Women should be silent in church.

Yield.

You can't legislate morality!

You can't teach old dog new tricks.

You just want to make trouble!

You’re being divisive.   (Emma Rosenthal 

You’re too extreme.   (Emma Rosenthal)

You're too young.

You've got to be kidding.