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Rule No.59 - If you can't dazzle them with brilliance, baffle them with bull.


"Bull", meaning nonsense, dates from the 17th century, while the term "bull*&$*" has been used as early as 1915 in American slang, and came into popular usage only during World War II. The word "bull" itself may have derived from the Old French boul meaning "fraud, deceit" (Oxford English Dictionary). The term "horse*&$*" is a near synonym. Worthy of note is the South African English equivalent "bull dust". Few corresponding terms exist in other languages, with the significant exception of German Bockmist, literally "billy-goat *&%*".

Funny, Suze Original and I were talking about this the other day. She went for an interview and we were laughing cause we both do the same thing. They ask you a simple question that could be answered in a line or two but we both start elaborating so much trying to make a good impression that what started as "My favorite hobby is... right to.. and that's why I think being a role model for the children is so important." Don't be misguided though, baffling bull is a lot harder than you think. You have to make sure you don't stumble over your words, don't repeat what you have already said all while keeping a brave confident face.

So when you start dazzling, do it well so that you don't have to resort to baffling. Make sure there are sparkles in your eyes, your teeth are spinach free and if possible have a light breeze swish past to move your hair, in the right direction of course. Dazzle away my lovely blog reader.
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Anonymous said…
And if you do baffle, it's a good idea to remember and keep track of them, so if you are asked about it/them at a later stage, you don't respond with, "uuuuhhhh..."
22 November 2011 at 13:59
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