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ImageSMART TALK
by Dr. Winton "Windy" Prolix



THE FACT OF THE MATTER: My friend and fellow therapist Les Terse calls the fact of the matter a smoke phrase.  A smoker, needing time to think of what to say, may become very busy lighting up.

"Actually, smoke phrases can alert the listener that what follows may be a distortion or a lie," says Les, and I agree with him.  The speaker protests too much.  Even the fact is is redundant.  Well, we hope it's redundant.  Or were you lying up to now?

To tell the truth and if you want to know the truth also arouse suspicion in any intelligent listener.  We often talk about this in the Fowler Lounge after a day of treating government officials at the Institute for the Linguistically Impaired.

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