I was talking with my mom the other day about something I had to get done, but that I didn’t want to do at all. She said she knew doing “it” would be a “bitter pill for me to swallow,” but that I had to do it because … blah blah blah …

I soon found myself staring at the opening and closing mouth as she dispensed her sage advice, which went in one ear and out the other. The problem was, you see, I couldn’t stop obsessing on the figure of speech she had just used.

A bitter pill to swallow!? Hmm …

It makes little sense when you think about it. In fact, the only way this oft-used saying makes sense is if we rephrase it to “A bitter pill to chew.” But who chews a bitter pill? Exactly! Nobody chews a bitter pill. That’s why we swallow pills—because they are bitter!

Then later that day one of my neighbors commented on another neighbor’s newborn baby. She said the baby was “Cute as a button.” Well, what’s so cute about a button?

Here is a picture of a button. This is cute?

Then you’ve got people who are “worry warts.” What does worrying about things have to do with warts? I think warts are totally disgusting and I certainly do not want one, but I don’t spend all my time worrying about getting them.

“Who let the cat out of the bag?” How about, “Who put the cat in the bag?” And why? Did they get scratched while putting the cat in a bag? I hope they did because forcing a cat into a bag—or a hat—is mean.

“A little bird told me that …” A little bird told you something? You need psychological help.

“A woman needs a man like a fish needs a bicycle.” Fine, but let’s see a bicycle take a fish out for dinner and a movie!

“Beware of Greeks baring gifts.” Or, sorry Mr. Papadapolous, but I can’t accept this present.

“I have nothing to declare but my genius.” Well, if you’re a genius shouldn’t you have the sense to not be such a braggart?

Anyway, this is the type of stuff I think about when I know I should be working.