RCMinor––This is not formal writing; slang is acceptable. Besides, Merriam-Webster recognizes “gift” as a verb. Oxford English isn’t there yet, but they require more prolonged usage. If it sticks around as a colloquialism, they’ll pick it up, too. Language evolves with society; “Google” is now officially recognized as a verb.
PS––You needn’t shout. We can “hear” you just fine.
thestargazer1682 – Then you’ll really hate this: you meant to say “loathe”, not “loath”. :)
As for the delicate art of gift-giving, people who say “you don’t have to” (and its flip side, “you shouldn’t have”) often don’t really mean it, and they would be deeply hurt if you took them at their word…it’s annoyingly passive-aggressive, but that’s just how some people are. But sometimes they’re being perfectly honest. Earl seems to be a case in point: if he keeps saying it, and never even touches the same gift year after year, you have to conclude that he really by-golly means it.
In such a case, it seems to me that to persist in giving the same unwanted gift every year is a rather selfish act on the part of the giver – the only purpose seems to be to make the giver feel better, not the recipient. However well-intentioned they may be, they need to get a clue, get over it (and themselves), and move on…or else go to the trouble of figuring out something that the unappreciative one really would like, whether they would think of it for themselves or not.
Wouldn’t a simple fix be to just take one of the old shirts out of the laundry and throw it away? After a couple times of this he would be forced to open some new ones.
That is unless he does the laundry. Very doubtful.
Llewellenbruce almost 14 years ago
It’s cheaper that way too.
Yukoner almost 14 years ago
Regifting is a great way to cope with the outrageous demands of what is supposed to be a season of peace and good will.
GROG Premium Member almost 14 years ago
If I’m Earl, I’d start to wonder why my collections of shirts and books isn’t getting any larger after a time.
kreole almost 14 years ago
Grog – good point…
D-i-c-e-R almost 14 years ago
Give Earl a fruitcake. Fruitcakes don’t have expiration dates and last forever in the freezer.
paha_siga almost 14 years ago
I’m pretty sure Earl would not notice his collections are not getting larger, either.
NoBrandName almost 14 years ago
I think this joke just might be a re-gift.
wicky almost 14 years ago
Just goes to show you how deceptive women can be.
notinksanymore almost 14 years ago
RCMinor––This is not formal writing; slang is acceptable. Besides, Merriam-Webster recognizes “gift” as a verb. Oxford English isn’t there yet, but they require more prolonged usage. If it sticks around as a colloquialism, they’ll pick it up, too. Language evolves with society; “Google” is now officially recognized as a verb.
PS––You needn’t shout. We can “hear” you just fine.
thestargazer1682 almost 14 years ago
This strip seems familiar; I wonder if it’s been used before….:)
On a side note, I loath Grammar Nazis….
peter0423 almost 14 years ago
thestargazer1682 – Then you’ll really hate this: you meant to say “loathe”, not “loath”. :)
As for the delicate art of gift-giving, people who say “you don’t have to” (and its flip side, “you shouldn’t have”) often don’t really mean it, and they would be deeply hurt if you took them at their word…it’s annoyingly passive-aggressive, but that’s just how some people are. But sometimes they’re being perfectly honest. Earl seems to be a case in point: if he keeps saying it, and never even touches the same gift year after year, you have to conclude that he really by-golly means it.
In such a case, it seems to me that to persist in giving the same unwanted gift every year is a rather selfish act on the part of the giver – the only purpose seems to be to make the giver feel better, not the recipient. However well-intentioned they may be, they need to get a clue, get over it (and themselves), and move on…or else go to the trouble of figuring out something that the unappreciative one really would like, whether they would think of it for themselves or not.
Wildmustang1262 almost 14 years ago
Gweedo! Your comments and emoticon with long beard (I guess it must be?) are so hilarious! X-D Enjoy the Happy Holidays!
jrcarter53 almost 14 years ago
Wouldn’t a simple fix be to just take one of the old shirts out of the laundry and throw it away? After a couple times of this he would be forced to open some new ones.
That is unless he does the laundry. Very doubtful.