Brigid Daull Brockway is technically a writer

Brigid Daull Brockway is technically a writer

A blog about words, wordplay, and etymology, with slightly more than occasional political rants.

Friday, July 30, 2010

K-mart Smart

I ordered a fancy new microfiber comforter online last week because the TV told me I wanted one. Boy, the TV was right! When it didn't arrive on my doorstep the instant I expected it to, I turned to the Internet to calm my anxiety over its absence.
Fear not, the Internet told me. The package has been "rescheduled." Rescheduled? Does this mean, that someone tried to drop it off at my door and failed? No, in fact, it means it got delivered to the wrong distribution center. Dude, that's not rescheduled, that's late.
Lest the worry distract you, don't be alarmed, my comforter did arrive. Granted, it was one whole business day late, which is tragic, but I survived.
It's just funny that they used rescheduled instead of delayed or late. Does this somehow reassure people? Are there honestly people who, irate over their lost packages, are assuaged by UPS's use of a euphemism? It's possible, I suppose, but seems a bit unlikely.



2 comments:

Lara said...

Rescheduled...I like that. I think I'm going to use that when I'm late for something. I'll just say, "Oh sorry I've been rescheduled." ;P

Cap'n Ergo "XL+II" Jinglebollocks said...

Actually, traditionally dont we associate "rescheduled" with being totally CANCELLED? Like "we were supposed to meet on Monday, but it's been rescheduled," meaning that the original date functionally ceases to be. And if you send the shipments to the wrong facility, that's what is normally called "LOST" or "BUGGERED UP." Rescheduled means that they WERE going to send it on Monday but then decided to send it on Tuesday instead-- it does NOT mean "we sent it to the WRONG PLACE on Monday..." because the thing WAS sent on the scheduled date. What the hell is wrong with "delayed"??

Grumph.

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