Origin of the phrase…
Where did the phrase “My pushback would be….” come from?
It was pointed out today that people from our former company say it all the time (apparently, I said it quite a bit in a call yesterday and NF and KG were saying it today as well). But i don’t know where it came from or who started it. Does anyone know?
No idea who started it, but I know why.
It’s a passive aggressive way to disagree. For example (an absurd example)…
Jenn: Jacob I’m thinking that you should cut off your left hand.
Jacob: My pushback would be that I wouldn’t be able to type very well.
A more direct route would be…
Jenn: Jacob I’m thinking that you should cut off your left hand.
Jacob: Heck no, I wouldn’t be able to type very well.
It allows you to disagree without actually disagreeing, you just say how you would disagree.
Jake
July 1, 2008 at 4:32 pm
I agree, Jake.
I also think it’s funny that after hearing certain phrases repeated so many times, I start using them myself without even really realizing it.
Noelle
July 1, 2008 at 7:57 pm
Since it’s been previously noted that I communicate in passive voice, I nominate myself as the originator of this phrase.
Rhea
July 2, 2008 at 12:30 pm