I’m a bit of a Grammar Nazi.
Here’s one that really grinds my gears:
“I could care less about the price of tea in China.”
The problem with the above sentence is that it means the opposite of what the speaker intends. The idea is to convey apathy. But if you “could” care less, the implication is that you DO care to a certain degree. If you’re guilty of this one, replace “could” with “couldn’t,” and you’re golden.
Here’s another one:
“I’m so hungry, I could literally eat a horse.”
In this instance, the term “literally” doesn’t work, as nobody’s capable of eating an entire horse. It doesn’t sound as forceful, but swap out “literally” with “figuratively,” and it’ll jive just fine.
Why am I sharing all of this?
In case you didn’t notice, I used the L-word in the headline …
Literally.
I used it correctly, too.
Idiomatic expression aside, in many instances, disc golf is literally a walk in the park.
And I love it.
To frame this in another light, what MiO (or something similar) is to the standard, 17-ounce bottle of water, disc golf is to a walk in the park – or woods or golf course or wherever.
- Bottled water is boring. MiO makes it taste great.
- Going on a walk is boring. Disc golf makes it more fun.
Now this might seem like a small, seemingly insignificant matter. But in our age of digital dopamine, short attention spans and widespread couch potato-ness, disc golf is an escape.
It gets me off my phone, helps me focus on something worthwhile and forces me to move my body in difficult, yet rewarding ways. No, disc golf isn’t an Ironman, but it’s better than video games and Mountain Dew. Oddly enough, I’m one of those people who also loves to run, bike and swim. But it’s WAY easier to get my butt out the door for 18 holes of disc golf than it is to run five-plus miles on a nearby trail with lactic acid coursing rapidly through my leg muscles.
Still, disc golf is difficult. Disc golf is demanding.
Figuratively speaking, it’s anything but a walk in the park.
Yet, at the exact same time, quite literally, it’s also a walk in the park.
That’s pretty cool.
And I wouldn’t have it any other way.
Have anything to add? Take to X to let us know – we’ll actually (for real) get back to you.
Editor’s Suggestions:
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- Disc golf: The idea behind Dino Discs is brilliant
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Impressive. You took my 10 word comment and turned it into a beautiful article that took us on a journey. We got some grammar crap, some weight loss tips, learned a little about you, and of course disc golf.
Bahahaha …
I don’t remember what comment of yours this came from, but I believe it did!
If it did, it wasn’t intentional – of that much, I can assure you.
Tomorrow’s topic, however, IS from a Fletch comment – no doubt about it.
“Golf is a walk in the park ruined” is a very famous very old ball golf slogan. I think it should be “Disc Golf is a walk in the park made better”.
Oh, that’s awesome!
I can’t remember if you’ve shared that one with me or not, but I like it …
To be fair, though, I DO enjoy the occasional round of ball golf …
I know, I know: I’m a sinner.
It’s just so freaking expensive.
I’ve played ball golf since i was 5 year old, but who has 5 to 6 hours on a weekend to play 18? When i can throw 18 in under an hour. I am semi retired from ball golf until i own my weekends again!
Nice!
And when will you “own” those weekends again?
Retirement?
(that’s probably what it is for me – haha)
So, you didn’t literally steal the idea from Fletch? J/K
As a high school teacher, who grades hundreds of papers a year, I appreciate your desire to fight the literally/figuratively battle.
As a disc golfer, I appreciate the moderate exercise, and high-level of challenge that disc golf provides. Thank you for the article!
David, whatever you’re being paid to grade high-school writing …
It’s not enough.
(not all heroes wear capes, clearly)
Amen brother!
What about this grammar nugget: “All the News That’s Fit to Print.”
That’s been The NY Times slogan for 100+ years. But it’s not grammatically correct. It should be:
“All the news that’s fit for print.”
or
“All the news that’s fit to be printed.”
Just something to ponder…
Steve-O, what does this say about The New York Times?
These are the kinds of questions you don’t ask on Twitter … 😉
BTW, hit me back with a new topic when you can – anxious to see more of your writing, if / when there’s time!
(life’s busy, and this shouldn’t be a priority – never an issue)
As someone who loves both the nerdy video games, soda, and pizza, but also enjoys many outdoor activities like tennis, pickle ball, disc golf, hiking etc.. I think it’s great to think of disc golf as a walk in the park because that’s how you draw people who aren’t hand eye coordinated or necessarily very athletic into the sport before getting them hooked because of perk no. 5. Especially the couch potatoes because they usually don’t want to do lots of complicated moving or running when they leave the couch. Also I figuratively dig the grammar nuggets haha.
Hahaha …
Thanks, Dylan!
Yeah, never thought of it that way, honestly.
Disc golf gets non-outdoorsy people, well …
Outdoors.
That’s pretty cool 🙂