When someone tells me that I’m really taking my broken foot situation in stride, I smile at the pun…and the compliment.  But when people are so bold as to go out on a limb in their writing, calling attention to  cliches by inserting quotation marks, I simply put my foot down.

Aaargh! Not another corny joke!

What bothers me about puns is the utter lack of originality. Someone coined a phrase for a common life phenomenon, and another person pulls that phrase out of their word bag, plugging it into his or her writing.

And that’s a cop out. I mean for heaven’s sake, come up with something on your own!

But lately I’m developing a soft spot for cliches. So when my doctor tells me to take things step by step, I smile at his little play on words, even though his pun was probably not intended. He’s a serious guy, that surgeon of mine.

I’ve thought about why I’m suddenly more tolerant of cliches.

It has to do with the fact that I’m going through the foot surgery for the second time. On the second time around I’m more flexible, easy-going and willing to go with the flow.

I mean, so many corny foot phrases  have suddenly come my way, since I broke my ankle. Hearing them soothes my soul, if not my foot.

I need a good break now, that all should go well with G-d’s help.

The expression, best foot forward, suddenly has appeal to me as I hope my right foot will soon be in the running (aargh) to qualify as best. Currently, that foot is just sitting in the stands, admiring my left foot, and watching life go by.

But I rarely start off my day on the wrong foot, because only one foot is wrong, and I’m not even allowed to use that foot.  I suppose that means I’m having very good days these times, using only one foot – my good foot, and it all works out well.

Not only that, but the chances of my putting my foot in my mouth has decreased by 50 percent, because of the difficulty of accomplishing that feat! That leaves only the left foot, so less chances to be diagnosed with  Foot in Mouth Syndrome.

Speaking of left feet, no one can tell me I have two left feet, because I rarely dance (unless scooting or knee-walking is like dancing!)

But even without dancing, I am hoping for a better outcome the second time around. I’m praying that I don’t step on any toes (or that no one steps on my toes), and that by the end of this intense period, I will still have most my friends (and toes).

I certainly don’t want to have to cajole my friends by taking them out to dinner, waiting on them hand and foot,  and footing the bill – to boot.

And now I will end this monologue. Any more corny jokes, plays on words or puns will be cause for someone to throw a shoe at me.

And that I’m not ready to deal with – even while standing on one foot.

How do you feel about puns? Do you enjoy them…or find them extremely annoying?

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