I have a terrific headache
Other than being FDR’s famous last words, what the heck kind of a phrase is that?! Yes, I do realize that terrific comes from terror and originally meant something that terrorizes and inspires dread, but that definition has long fallen out of the modern parlance - much like fantastic is no longer commonly used to describe something outlandish and barely plausible and awesome is now typically only used to describe something that truly produces an awe struck state in Biblical contexts - and, yet, the phrase “terrific headache” persists.
I contemplate this phrase today for the reason you might suspect - I have a really annoying migraine right now. I had one for much of last week as well. I have antibiotics, changes in eating habits (for the better, so learn to deal quickly, oh bullying head of mine) and lack of sleep to blame for them.
Never mind, as I sit here and feel the pain a little longer, I think I’ve figured it out. In the modern era, we have repurposed terrific as a substitute for a long string of swear words in context of this phrase only. I have a terrific headache is so much more socially acceptable to growl at work than the words I am actually thinking.
I contemplate this phrase today for the reason you might suspect - I have a really annoying migraine right now. I had one for much of last week as well. I have antibiotics, changes in eating habits (for the better, so learn to deal quickly, oh bullying head of mine) and lack of sleep to blame for them.
Never mind, as I sit here and feel the pain a little longer, I think I’ve figured it out. In the modern era, we have repurposed terrific as a substitute for a long string of swear words in context of this phrase only. I have a terrific headache is so much more socially acceptable to growl at work than the words I am actually thinking.