Humbled

Hello, you have A Way with Words.

Yes, good morning, Martha.

Good morning.

Who is this?

This is Rod, Rod Parker.

Rod, where are you calling us from?

I’m calling from Queensland, Australia.

I’d like to put something to you.

All right.

Let’s hear it.

It’s a phrase that I’ve noticed being used, particularly in Australia, and may very well be used in your neck of the woods. It’s when somebody of high office, when they receive a high award or even get a really good result in an election, they like to say, I’m humbled. And my feeling is that they really should be saying the opposite thing because I don’t think humbled is the right expression in that circumstance.

Aha. What do you think is going on there then?

I think they’re trying to be modest about their award, and maybe it’s just an accepted way of accepting a good result these days. But I think, though, that it appears to be quite the opposite of what they should be saying.

I completely agree with you, Rod. It actually grates on my nerves a lot. I think the people who say, I’m humbled by this award, they’re protesting too much. But that’s kind of a social requirement that they say that. They can’t very well say, damn straight, too right, about time you gave me the award.

No, I agree. They don’t have to say that. But I think they could accept it with grace. I think there are plenty of other more appropriate terms, such as I am deeply honored. I truly appreciate this award. It was highlighted in our recent federal elections here in Australia, where the incoming Prime Minister, who received a landslide victory, his speech was started off with, I’m humbled, which I didn’t think was correct. But then the outgoing Prime Minister, who suffered a big loss and who personally lost his own electorate, he’s the one who should have been saying, I’m humbled, but he didn’t say that.

I don’t think they can be used in that way. They should be swapped around.

Yeah, I agree with you, Rod. I think it smacks of a little bit of false modesty or something, or at least awkwardness. I like your solution of just saying something like, thank you.

Yeah, I think deeply honored, perhaps, says it all, that you appreciate what you’ve been given, but you’re not going overboard with any civility.

Exactly.

Well, Rod, I guess I shouldn’t say that we’re humbled that you called, should I?

Well, no, I’m humbled.

You’re humbled.

You’re not humbled, I am.

Well, no, but we’re mightily pleased. We’re well pleased to take your call, Rod. We appreciate you getting up in the morning to give us a ring.

Yeah, well, thank you very much for hearing my side of the story.

Okay.

Thank you, sir.

Thank you.

Take care of yourself.

Bye-bye.

See you later, Martha.

Bye-bye.

Goodbye, Grant.

I’m reminded, Martha, of a scene in the Douglas Adams Hitchhiker Guide to the Galaxy books. Did you ever read those?

No, I heard some of them on the radio.

Yeah, yeah. 42 was the answer to the big question.

Right. The radio plays were excellent, but there’s a scene in there very early, and it’s in the radio play as well, where Arthur Dent, who’s kind of the main character, saves a spaceship and everyone on it by hitting a button in the nick of time. And then another main character, Zaphod Beeblebrock, says, oh, that was very good thinking, you know. And Arthur replies, well, it was nothing really. And Zaphod says, oh, was it? Well, forget it then. I mean, so he’s actually taken Arthur at his word when Arthur’s using this false humility and responding, oh, well, never mind then. If it really was nothing, then no, you don’t deserve the praise. And that’s kind of what we’re talking about here.

That’s sometimes what you want to do. I’m humbled. Well, you are. Then I’ll take your shoes and your wallet, please. I am not worthy.

Your humble hosts are awaiting your call at 1-877-929-9673. Or you can email us. The address is words@waywordradio.org.