David Carroll

Welcome to election year. I know, if you live in Georgia, this is old news. Y’all have been to the polls more often than some folks take a shower. I can never keep track if it’s a primary election, a general election, a jungle primary, a jungle gym, a primary runoff, a water runoff, an election to fill an unexpired term, a SPLOST, an E-SPLOST, or a SPLISH-SPLASH.

Let’s explore the origin of some common sayings. After writing several columns about sayings like, “I’ll read you the riot act” and “The straw that broke the camel’s back,” many of you suggested some others. Have you ever been called “One tough cookie?” Back in the 1920s, the nickname “cookie” was intended as a compliment, usually aimed at a female. A hard-working or resilient lady was often referred to as a “tough cookie.” By the 1950s, the term showed up in various publications referring to both men and women as “smart cookies.” But in order to be described as such, one would have to be intelligent or quick-witted. Upon the birth of our first grandchild in February, my wife chose “Cookie” as her grandmother name. And she is, indeed, a tough, smart cookie. (I’m Papa D, by the way).

Ibelieve in the importance of customer service. A while back, I dropped my cable/internet provider after spending half my time battling their so-called customer service reps. I had many indecipherable conversations with guys in India who called themselves “Rick” or “Sam.” I finally switched to another provider. I should have done it years earlier. The new company’s customer service was excellent. Within days, my cholesterol level improved, my headaches disappeared, and I could leap tall buildings in a single bound.