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"Are you all right?"

Please note: This page is a read-only archive of messages posted in the Word Fugitives conference of Post & Riposte.

Topic:	8) 'Are you all right?' (1 of 3), Read 73 times
Conf:	Word Fugitives, with Barbara Wallraff
From:	Toby Lester ([email protected])
Date:	Wednesday, March 03, 1999 08:02 AM

Piya Kochhar, of New York, New York, writes: "What do you say to a person who's just had a coughing fit? We've got 'Bless you!' for someone who sneezes, but there doesn't seem to be an equivalent sentiment for coughing, other than 'Are you all right?'"

Toby Lester (for Barbara Wallraff, who is on vacation)

Topic:	8) 'Are you all right?' (2 of 3), Read 75 times
Conf:	Word Fugitives, with Barbara Wallraff
From:	Glenn Werner ([email protected])
Date:	Wednesday, March 03, 1999 09:55 AM

As a coughing fit may be a "medical" emergency, asking the person about what is
happening takes precedence over polite banter. I'd suggest that when it's all over
and the person is alright you try, "Thank goodness"

Topic:	8) 'Are you all right?' (3 of 3), Read 45 times
Conf:	Word Fugitives, with Barbara Wallraff
From:	Aaron Gross ([email protected])
Date:	Thursday, March 04, 1999 10:03 PM

Sucrets?

After a messy sneezing fit, we say
"Kleenex?" (despite the fact that we
may be offering a Puffs or some other
generic brand).

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