You know those people who have to correct you to precision when you’re talking generally? You know, if you’re giving a price for goods or services you’re offering, you should be expected to say exactly what something costs. This book costs twenty-five dollars and sixty-seven cents, including tax. But, if you’re just in casual conversation, and you say, This book cost me about twenty-five dollars, it’s irritating for somebody to say, It’s closer to twenty-six or twenty-five dollars and sixty-seven cents, actually.

It certainly irritated my forebears. My mother would reply acidly,

Are you going to call me a liar over sixty-seven cents?

And my grandfather would say, in good-natured concession,

Well, mainly it were so.

Sometimes I favor the latter, but I sure do like the oomph of the former.

This post is part of Linda G. Hill’s weekly blog hop, One-Liner Wednesday. If you have a one-liner or just like them, follow the link.

A WRITING PROMPT FROM ME TO YOU: A petty dispute.

MA