Accidental Utterance of "the word"

[questions]

Have you ever slipped up and said the T word in public just because it is always in the front of your mind. I'll give you an example where I may have done so.

I am a lawyer and last week I was taking a woman's deposition. For those who don't know, that means I was asking her a bunch of questions with her lawyer and a court reporter there taking it all down. The case involves the woman I was deposing and her claim that she is disabled. I represent her insurance carrier and they have denied her coverage.

Anyway, as part of the deposition, I was asking her to rate the level of pain that she feels in different parts of her body on a scale of one to ten. At one point, I nearly had a panic attack because I lost track of myself and thought that I asked her to rate her level of ticklishness on a scale of one to ten. I stopped briefly and looked around to see if anyone was looking at me like I was out of my mind. Everything seemed to be fine.

As I continued, I was still pretty sure that I had said it. Wouldn't the other lawyer have corrected me? Wouldn't they all be looking at me like I was crazy? Wouldn't the woman have asked me what the hell I was talking about? The last one gives me some confidence that I did not say ticklishness. The bottom line is that I really won't know for sure until I get the transcript.

Have any of you had a similar experience?

 

[luvn2laf]

Well, I can't say I've "slipped up" but the first time I met up with someone from the TMF, I stopped off for a meal with a friend while I was in that area. We were sitting at a booth and I told her ALL about my experience of being tied up and tickle tortured. We were cracking up because the people in the next booth got really quiet for a while - probably so they could listen. It was extremely hillarious to think about anyone who might have been evesdropping on that conversation as they got an ear full of more detail than anyone could even imagine.

 

[Ayla ny]

we email at work constantly, it’s our main source of communication, and I accidently type it. a lot. ticket becomes ticklet, ticker becomes tickler, etc…

most of the time I catch it… but sometimes I don’t. the only person to ever call me on it tho is my boyfriend. everyone else (I hope) just dismisses them as typos. 🙂

 

[tommytikl]

Ok, funny this should come up...

I just started a new job and there is a computer program used aLOT by people called RIBS...I kid you not. It stands for something WAY other than tickling but it just kills me to say it or hear other people talk about it.

Anyway, I am talking about this program and it is a bit annoying to get started..well I was talking to a lady co-worker and said "RIBs are quite a ticklish problem, aren't they"...I didn't even realize I said it...
Her eyes gleamed and she said, "yes, they can be quite ticklish" and I let it drop because I didn't know her at all.

But man is it sometimes tough to stop my mind from wandering when my lady boss says', "Tom, did you check RIBS yet"...

 

[AffectionateDan]

Tsk tsk tsk tsk tsk...

Anyway, I am talking about this program and it is a bit annoying to get started..well I was talking to a lady co-worker and said "RIBs are quite a ticklish problem, aren't they"...I didn't even realize I said it...
Her eyes gleamed and she said, "yes, they can be quite ticklish" and I let it drop because I didn't know her at all.

Tommy, Tommy, Tommmmmmyyyy! That sounded like a wonderful opportunity to GET to know her better! Shame on you for passing that up!

 

[ticklkitten]

I do it all the time... in various different ways. I was talking to my coworker last week and I caught myself in mid sentance with the words "when I was at NEST..." eek! It's a good thing I very talkative and was able to just slip into another subject. I don't *think* she noticed... ah well if she did.

 

[starfires]

I just started a new job and there is a computer program used aLOT by people called RIBS...I kid you not. It stands for something WAY other than tickling but it just kills me to say it or hear other people talk about it.

Just be thankful you don't work with TCL/TK. It's a tool-based programming language of some sort, and is usually pronounced "tickle".
If I ever make a tickling machine, this would be the language for its software...

 

[BigBrownEyes]

I've actually tried to slip it in here and there just to get more used to saying the word. You can used it in various contexts, such as "that didn't tickle very much" or "I'm tickled by your concerened."

A girl in my office, who I have a major crush on, was talking about her "tickler" files one day and I almost jumped out of my skin.

Such is the life of a ticklephile...

 

[AphxA]

Actually, about a month ago, there was a girl at my job who said her neck was killing her. I tried to give her a massage but she said "oh god stop that tickles". lol

 

[WorkInProgress]

Questions: It is indeed worth checking the transcript, but if the woman gave you a straight answer without showing any surprise, and if her lawyer made no comment, I think you can safely relax. Presumably, you were going through a standard routine that both you and the other lawyer know well, and if either of you said something that sharply deviated from that routine, the other would speak up wanting to know why. Also, if you'd used the word "ticklishness," the woman would probably have re-used it in her answer, even if she didn't think you were crazy. (E.g.: "Well I was ticklish before the accident.") I do understand how you feel, though, and of course do check the transcript.

As for me, can't recall any slips of the tongue of my own, where tickling is concerned, but if anybody's prone to it, I'm sure I am.

 

[dvnc]

Geez, I actually delight in dropping "the word" into a sentence. I find myself eyeballin' the responses, t'see if one of us is out there. Mention of a ticklish situation, or of something that's sensitive as ticklish ("That unit's sensors are a bit ticklish.") is fun.

I remember when I used to thrill to hear such mentions, casually, so I give as I'd have wanted to get.

Try it sometime. Make a point of using it, in context, in a conversation. When you fear the response, remember that someone grilling you can easily be made to look dopey.

"What? Are you into tickling?"

"What in the WORLD are you going on about? I comment that a situation is delicate and you're wondering about tickling?"

It's quite easy to make mean folks sound dopey, and as Danimal mentions, it does open up the topic for more playful interaction. At least, it has for me. You just have to remember to follow basic social rules, work place rules, etc.

 

[sugarmouse]

i work in acall centre type place..and to set to cal someoen back later...there is a little dialler box thing..

and it gives you an option of times..thhen says underneath


'SCEDULE CALL BACK ON TICKLER!!!!'

i cant look at it

 

[tommytikl]

Tommy, Tommy, Tommmmmmyyyy! That sounded like a wonderful opportunity to GET to know her better! Shame on you for passing that up!

Don't worry Dan, I made up for it...


I have been busy with work so it took me a while to get back...those RIBS are keeping me busy...

I did "get to know her better" a few days ago, (and yes this is the perfect situation), she was leaning into a filing cabinet looking for something when I walked by and tweaked her lower ribs and got a jump and little squeal.
I winked at her and said,"just testing RIBS"...she laughed at that and said, "I think I am going to like you working here"...then we parted ways.

Yesterday, we were in the reverse situation, and she did to me what I did to her, very light tickle to my ribs, which made me give off my "s-s-shhhhh" sound which she loved. I responded by saying RIBS get alot of work around here don't they.
We had lunch together after that.

 

[Abellytickler1980]

"Tom, did you check RIBS yet"...

Tom, I think it is time for you to check RIBS. We must all stop to check RIBS, immediately.

 

[questions]

update

I got the transcript today and I did not accidentally say ticklish. I have not completely lost my mind ... yet.