"My 2 Cents" Posted July-30-2006
Response to Sunday Scribblings #18
"A penny for your thoughts." and "Here's my two cents." I wonder who decided that people's thoughts should be worth so little. I know, I know, both cliches probably date back over a hundred years ago when pennies were worth much more than they are today. But still... maybe we should up the ante?

Who are the people who use the expression "My 2 cents?" Are they the ones who usually offer their opinion without being asked for it? Does their sense of initiative make them feel compelled to offer something in addition to their mental position (like something of monetary value) to add weight to what they're saying? Or do they simply enjoy the opportunity to use a cliche because it sounds clever?

I wonder what will happen if pennies ever stop being minted. In thirty years when paper currency and loose change are no longer around how will we couch our opinions and assign monetary value to them? Speaking of which, what do people in other countries offer along with their opinions? In Japan is it "My 2 Yen?" And what would you call it when people just offer simple non-sense? Is that worth any cents? Hmmm. •

© 2006 Chris Dunmire www.chrisdunmire.com. All rights reserved.