Got Originality?

There are many ways to be original these days. But unfortunately I cannot reveal any of these ways because the followers would then not be original, would they? Now, I realize that somewhere between one to two people would have followed the advice I gave, but just in case my calculations were off - and it turns out three would have followed - I need to be careful about what I write ?

One slogan which completely frustrates me due to its lack of originality is "got ____?" That's right - that lowercase phrase which was formerly synonymous with milk (and is now synonymous with everything) is so cliché that it's even cliché to write "got cliché?" But the worst is not behind us. The other day I saw a sign for an ATM machine that asked the question, "got cash?" This makes me wonder how far the slogan will extend before it finally fades. Here are five signs which I hope we never see, for any of them could mean the end of the world as we know it. And if it's the end of the world, how will we ever be able to celebrate the end of that slogan?

5. got goats? - I am not sure why this one would scare me. I guess it's something about selling goats to the mainstream that throws me off, or maybe I am afraid that too many far-sighted people will think it's an advertisement for coats. Either way, goats don't need to be a part of such a cliched scheme in order to be sold. That would be very baaaad. At least that's what a sheep told me.

4. got gas? - Just imagine the confusion. Those who need fuel in their cars would stop in order to fill their tanks. But what about those who just came back from the local Taco Bell? They don't need to be at a station where they can get gas. Rather, they need to be at a place where? Well, you get the picture.

3. got snot? - We don't need to be selling snot, let alone buying it. But if we are ever at a point where snot is something in which people become interested, let's not hold down the sales by asking people if they have it, because ultimately everybody does.

2. got my mother? - No..

1. got death? - If cemeteries start using this slogan, then we know the world has become too commercialized. Not only is it a morbid statement, but those who can answer in the affirmative will not even be given the opportunity to do so.

But I digress.

Greg Gagliardi is a teacher and writer. His stream-of-consciousness weekly humor column, "Progressive Revelations," has been ongoing since 1998. (http://www.ProgressiveRevelations.com)


11 Alternative Garden Games

Tired of the same ol', same ol' when it come... Read More

25 Reasons You Might Need to Wear a Welding Helmet

A welding helmet is a safety device worn for protection... Read More

3 Surefire Ways To Combat Rising Gas Prices

I have heard the rumblings of many of you in... Read More

A Dogs Guide To... Getting Your Dog to Stop Barking

I like to bark. I mean, I like to bark... Read More

A French Teachers Memories: First Day at School

Despite my diplomas that allowed me to teach in state... Read More

A Lawyers Favorite Lawyer Jokes

Lawyer JokesQ: How does a pregnant woman know she is... Read More

American Independence ? The True Story

It was late in 1775, and King George III was... Read More

And the World Goes Round

If you are a citizen of UK or Australia, you... Read More

Bad Days and Bad Timing

Have you ever noticed how family members always misbehave at... Read More

Bed Bugs Bite

I just turned on the news a minute ago and... Read More

Beyond Black and White

Over visiting a neighbor the other day?"Would you like a... Read More

Cant Get There From Here

... Read More

Cheer-Leadership or All I Need to Know About Business I Learned from Cheerleading

Thanks to teen movies, many people have this stereotypical idea... Read More

Cloning Advantage Super Families

As the cloning debate of humankind continues we find ourselves... Read More

Coffee Tips (and the Elimination Thereof)

I have recently become frustrated with something at doughnut establishments,... Read More

Computers According to Carol

A is for Anti-Virus: she got it from my Uncle.B... Read More

Discover the Lighter Side of the Internet

We all know the Internet is a great tool for... Read More

Do Americans Really Understand Irony?

Let me start by saying that 'I am an American'... Read More

Dog Poo - And You Thought You Had Problems

In Southern Germany in a town by the name of... Read More

Dumb Luck

I've never really thought of myself as being funny. I... Read More

Essential Laughter

Take time to laugh at yourself and the ridiculous in... Read More

Eye Spy Potatoes

Lately I've had the problem of falling asleep with my... Read More

Finding Lost Children

A couple of days ago I had to go to... Read More

Freudian Slippage

Saturday morning. I went, in the early morning, to the... Read More

Fried Green Tomatoes Recipe

My next-door neighbors found a human bone in their backyard.... Read More

Funny Things We Dream

I often wonder why I wake up so happy, ready... Read More

Got Originality?

There are many ways to be original these days. But... Read More

He Had It Coming, Your Honor

This past week as Mr. Man and I lounged around... Read More

Health Club Regulars ?- Some of the People Youre Likely To Meet at the Gym

One of the great benefits of belonging to a health... Read More

How I Spent my Summer Vacation

One of the best parts of a vacation is the... Read More

How to Build a Cobblestone House

He huffed and he puffed and he blew the house... Read More

How To Get Attention, or: As You Read This, You Feel an Irresistible Urge to Go On Reading!

We all want attention. As children we crave the attention... Read More

How To Marry A Wealthy Guy

How To Marry A Wealthy Guy(or Girl... Or at least... Read More