Pass the Time of Day, to
Pass the time of day, to - To exchange greetings, pleasantries, or chat; engage in small talk. The redoubtable Ebenezer Brewer thought this turn of phrase came from the practice of greeting someone with a remark appropriate to the time of day, such as “Good afternoon.” Whether or not this is true, the term dates from the first half of the nineteenth century and remains current.
Related and Similar Terms
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Chew the fat - Engage in casual or light conversation. Synonyms: Gab, jawjack, babble. Antonyms: Silence, ignore, shun. Example Quote: “We sat on the porch chewing the fat about old times.”
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Shoot the breeze - Chat casually without any specific topic. Synonyms: Chitchat, gossip, natter. Antonyms: Converse, debate, argue. Example Quote: “Jon’s always up for shooting the breeze, no matter what time it is.”
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Make conversation - Engage in dialogue to fill the silence. Synonyms: Interact, converse, dialog. Antonyms: Ignore, cross swords, clam up. Proverb Quote: “Talk less and listen more - for in silent moments, wisdom is often heard.”
Proverbs
- “Still waters run deep.” suggests that quiet or docile people often have profound thoughts or capabilities.
- “A silent mouth is melodious.” posits the importance of choosing words wisely.
Suggested Literature, Books, Songs, Poetry, and Movies
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Books: “Fahrenheit 451” by Ray Bradbury - A tale that delves into the power of conversation and the lack thereof.
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Songs: “Hello” by Adele - A perfect tune exploring an attempt to reconnect and “pass the time of day”.
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Poetry: “The Road Not Taken” by Robert Frost - Reflects on choices, much like conversational turns.
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Movies: “Before Sunrise” - A masterclass in portraying the magic of spontaneous conversation.
Find joy in every brief chat you have; after all, life’s grand conversations often start with a simple “How’s your day?” Until next time, keep the dialogue alive. 🌟
