... and I am NOT the "BOMB"

Seriously ... why do people hear a figure of speech and jump on the band wagon without really thinking about the phrase or realizing that what they hear is NOT what was said?

Case in point ... "You are the bomb" ... "They are the bomb" ... "My friend is the bomb" ...

OK, you get the point.

But, what they really should be saying is "You are the BALM".

Think about the saying and what it means. A person is helpful or kind or came to my aid at just the perfect moment. They are a balm. What is a balm? Well, my handy dandy iPhone WORD app says:

balm / ba:m / noun

1. any of various aromatic resinous substances used for healing and soothing
2. semisolid preparation (usually containing a medicine) applied externally as a remedy or for soothing an irritation.

On the other hand, let's check out bomb:

bomb /  bom / noun

1. an explosive device fused to explode under specific conditions
2. strong sealed vessel for measuring heat of combustion
3. an event that fails badly or is totally ineffectual 

Given my druthers, I would never want to be the BOMB. I do not blow up and destroy things. Of course, if your friend is a failure or is ineffective, please go ahead and tell them to their face, "Friend, you are the BOMB".

All of you fine folks, however, soothe me and therefore, you are the BALM!


Love ya bunches...