Many times, after looking at the brumas from my house, it has occurred to me not to catch umbrellas, even though I know I will just soak up. Why will it be? Maybe you don't want to catch the umbrella? Maybe in the hope that I don't get wet? Nevertheless, the conclusion has always been the same. The saying goes that the fog of rain, before it was realized, soaked the chickens. Apparently, they're not the only ones.

Not long ago now, while I was teaching, as I was reflecting on an expression that I've heard over and over again lately, it occurred to me to ask the students about it. Although I had a suspicion of what the answer would be, I had a little hesitation. Maybe hope. I said, Do you think it's better, we'll stay in the afternoon or stay in the afternoon? Or do I call you after eating or call you after eating? The students, as I could not be otherwise, answered that the second option was better, no doubt.

I have in mind that a few years ago there was an announcement, called “the method of struggles”, aimed at those who wanted to learn Basque. I remember that at the time we made a lot of jokes about the message of the announcement. On the contrary, among the people of our generation, we began to hear the wrong use of that expression, although little was heard. I, in my ignorance, accepted this expression with good eyes, assuming I was more modern. Unfortunately, in a few years it seems to be completely widespread, without realizing that we have done so. If it is a constant drizzle of our language of coexistence...

As always, it comes to my mind what can be the most representative variables of the natural assimilation of foreign expressions and, in addition, whether we can do something. The influence of the contents we consume through the devices? The impact of globalization? The two? Surely there will be many more variables involved.

Today, unfortunately, I believe that we have lost our fight with this expression. I would dare to say that if I directed someone when I heard a conversation between my friends, they wouldn't realize how much I do about the pigs. Of course, I would even hear a growl, perhaps rightly so.

Perhaps tomorrow, when students ask me “do we pick things?” at the end of the class, I would have to answer “yes, some every day.”

Ioritz González, Professor