From an interview with the German magazine Der Spiegel: 

SPIEGEL: Madame Secretary, in your first testimony to the US Congress as Homeland Security Secretary you never mentioned the word "terrorism." Does Islamist terrorism suddenly no longer pose a threat to your country?

NAPOLITANO: Of course it does. I presume there is always a threat from terrorism. In my speech, although I did not use the word "terrorism," I referred to "man-caused" disasters. That is perhaps only a nuance, but it demonstrates that we want to move away from the politics of fear toward a policy of being prepared for all risks that can occur.

My take on BIG SIS’S reply to Spiegel can be summed up in one word – STUPID

But that’s just my opinion.

I don’t know but it seems to me if it waddles like, looks like and sounds like - it is a…….

And that leads to the purpose of this post.  When I entered Dealerland thirty-six years ago life was much simpler.  We had salesmen and writers and used cars and used trucks and customers and employees etc.  Today, we have clients and guests and consultants and advisors and pre-owned and associates, etc.  I guess times have changed. So what is it, customer, client, used, pre-owned or maybe second-hand.  Let’s take a peek.

According to Merriam a customer and a client are defined as:   

Customer - one that purchases a commodity or service

Client - a person who engages the professional advice or services of another

So what is the difference?  By definition a customer purchases and a client engages.  And no, we will not define purchases and engages.  It’s self explanatory.  Anywho, by definition if a customer purchases a commodity or service, how can a customer morph into a client if a client doesn’t purchase a commodity or service, but only engages advice or services?  On the other hand if a client, after engaging, decides to purchase a service the client then morphs into being a customer.  Now isn’t this about the dumbest thing you ever read?  Maybe BIG SIS can give guidance.

Can you imagine the receptionist paging - Ace come to the showroom, client waiting.

And what’s with used and pre-owned?  Why not second-hand?  Time for more Merriam.

Used – that has endured use

Pre-owned – owned by someone else before

Second-hand – received from or through an intermediary

                          acquired after being used by another

Why not second-hand vehicle?   Well Ma, I’m off to buy me a second-hand vehicle.  Now if second-hand is acceptable to describe a used vehicle would it be a stretch to describe a new vehicle as a first-hand vehicle.  Let’s see if that makes sense.  Hey Ma, I’m off to buy me a first-hand vehicle.  I don’t know, whatcha think?  

But what do we do if our first-hand vehicle was a demo and has been driven 800 miles.  That could be a problem.  After all it’s not really a true first-hand vehicle and not really a true second-hand vehicle.  Hmmm!  Maybe we could call it a “first-hand transitioning second-hand vehicle.”  Whatcha think? 

BIG SIS where are you when I need you?  Well enough of this nonsense.

Confused?  Me too.  I’m off to see a lexicologist for clarification.

This rant was written by Douglas R Manley who takes full responsibility for its fragmented incoherence.

Have a good day