The first to admit something.

When someone explains something about themselves (e.g. "I'm a hot-headed person..."), and they follow it up with the phrase "...and I'm the first to admit it", doesn't it stand to reason that they're the only one who's able to admit it?!? Another person can exclaim that so-and-so is a hot-head, but they're not necessarily admitting it for that person! They're merely telling, or gossiping, or informing. Only the one mentioning his/her personality traits can do the admitting.

I experienced this with a co-worker only recently, and his choice of words really had me thinking. I'm wondering what other turns of phrase seem to make little sense when scrutinized more thoroughly.

A Not So Tintinnabulatoryistical Endorsement

"Rudy Giuliani is, without question, an acceptable candidate"

That was broadcaster and former presidential candidate Pat Robertson's ringing endorsement of Mayor Guiliani for president.

The text of other endorsements made today:

Pat Boone said "Maxwell Coffee is on my list of 12 reasonably bland coffees"

Bill Cosby announced that "I find it tastes a little like rust, but I still would recommend Jello, if no other dessert is available"

Michael Jordan bellowed: "I can directly attribute the blisters on my feet to wearing Nikes, but nevertheless, they are in some cases better than sandals, so I say, just think about doing it."

During the writer's strike Jay Leno proclaimed at a press conference: "More heart patients eat Dorito's than any other chip"

UnAmerican

In the lunch room yesterday one of my colleagues corrected herself after using the word "Americans" to refer to well, some Americans. She then changed it to North American. There is something that borders (pardon the pun) on silliness about this whole thing.

First of all, the idea that using American is somehow inaccurate or elitist just plain ignores the facts. I am a citizen of the United States of America. No other country uses America in its official name that I am aware of. It is not Canada of America, Brazil of America or Mexico of America. Latin America is not a country.

Second, her correction was no correction at all. If citizens of the US were to start calling themselves North Americans, the Canadians could then object.

Third, do the people in Mexico really want to think of themselves as Americans when the Iranians or Saudis pile into their streets chanting "Death to America" or the Europeans march with their signs condemning those awful "Americans"? I think not.

Fourth, it is too late. If somebody wanted to start complaining about this they should have started hundreds of years ago.

Fifth, it is strange to see Americans self-flagellating over this when they rarely offer a reasonable alternative. USAer? United Stateser? USEse?

Sixth, if other Latin American countries want to use American, let them have at it. When I use "American" it is not done with any sort of exclusivity in attitude. I do mean citizens of the USA. But if others want to use it, who is going to stop them?

Seventh, This has been tried numerous times before and it has failed every time.