The Check’s in the Mail
Definition:
A commonly used phrase meant to assure someone that a payment or response is forthcoming, even if it might not be. Often flavored with just a hint of dubious sincerity, this cliché rose to the spotlight particularly in the second half of the 20th century.
Synonyms:
- “It’s in the post”
- “The money’s on its way”
- “You’ll have it soon”
- “The funds are being processed”
Antonyms:
- “Paid in full”
- “All settled”
- “Done and dusted”
- “Finito”
Related Terms and Phrases:
- “Kicking the can down the road”
- “Stalling for time”
- “Buying some time”
- “Stringing someone along”
Humor-Filled Quotes:
- “The check’s in the mail… and probably on a detour through Narnia.”
- “Don’t worry, the check’s in the mail—right after my carrier pigeon finishes its coffee.”
Proverbs and Wisdom:
- “Procrastination is the thief of time.” – Edward Young
- “A promise made is a debt unpaid.” – Robert W. Service
References in Literature, Books, Songs, Poetry, and Movies:
- Waiting for Godot by Samuel Beckett – A prime literary work about waiting and the uncertainty of deliverance.
- The Money Pit (1986) – A comedy film starring Tom Hanks that highlights the perils of constant delays and promises.
- Catch-22 by Joseph Heller – A novel filled with bureaucratic ironies, much like “the check’s in the mail.”
### Which of these is a genuine delaying tactic?
- [ ] Buttering the biscuits
- [x] The check's in the mail
- [ ] Sitting on a cactus
- [x] Buying time
> **Explanation:** "The check's in the mail" and "buying time" are well-recognized delays. The others, not so much—ouch for sitting on a cactus, though.
### True or False: "The check's in the mail" was popularized in the late 1900s.
- [x] True
- [ ] False
> **Explanation:** True! This phrase, often perceived as dubious, gained popularity in the second half of the 20th century.
### Which of these is a synonym for "the check's in the mail"?
- [x] It's in the post
- [ ] Chasing dragonflies
- [ ] Hammering the hedgehog
- [x] The money’s on its way
> **Explanation:** "It's in the post" and "the money's on its way" are synonymous with "the check's in the mail." The other phrases are far less sensible.
### Finish the cliché: "The check's in the ______."
- [ ] envelope
- [x] mail
- [ ] bucket
- [ ] spaceship
> **Explanation:** The correct ending is "mail." Perhaps alien currency for the spaceship?
### Which of these could be considered a delaying tactic phrase?
- [x] Kicking the can down the road
- [ ] Swimming with the dolphins
- [x] Buying some time
- [ ] Hopscotching on hot coals
> **Explanation:** "Kicking the can down the road" and "buying some time" both imply delaying tactics. The others suggest unusual, albeit intriguing, activities.
### True or False: Providing a tracking number guarantees the check is being processed.
- [ ] True
- [x] False
> **Explanation:** False! A tracking number indicates processing, but it doesn't guarantee payment or sincerity—check if your GPS can track fibs.
### What type of person might often say, "The check's in the mail"?
- [ ] A zookeeper
- [ ] An astronaut
- [x] A procrastinator
- [ ] A rock star
> **Explanation:** Procrastinators are the likely suspects here, not zookeepers or astronauts, who really shouldn't be dealing with checks in space.
Inspirational Thought: In the grand dance of language, where words jig and jive, let the clichés be a reminder—they echo shared experiences and elucidate our collective creativity. But always endeavor to mold your own phrases and make the lexicon dance to your tune.
Farewell, language lover, and may your vocabulary be as vivid as the tapestry of life itself.
— I. Owe U. Bigtime
