Combination Quote by Robert Benchley
“The English language may hold a more disagreeable combination of words than "The doctor will see you now." I am willing to concede something to the phrase "Have you anything to say before the current is turned on?" That may be worse for the moment, but it doesn't last so long. For continued, unmitigating depression, I know nothing to equal "The doctor will see you now." But I'm not narrow-minded about it. I'm willing to consider other possibilities.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: The New Yorker, 1930s, null
The quote critiques how certain phrases sound harsh despite being routine, highlighting the emotional impact of language in medical settings.
In simple terms: Words can feel harsh even when routine.
Key Takeaway
Consider how phrasing affects patient comfort.
Themes
communication
empathy
language
healthcare
Mood
reflective
critical
Type
observational
analytical
When to use this quote
- doctor visits
- patient counseling
- medical training
- public speaking
Key Concepts
psychology
semantic framing
Questions to Reflect On
- How does word choice influence patient perception?
- Can alternative phrasing improve comfort?
A Different Perspective
The quote may overgeneralize the negativity of medical language.
![“Geometry, which should only obey Physics, when united with it sometimes commands it. If it happens that the question which we wish to examine is too complicated for all the elements to be able to enter into the analytical comparison we wish to make, we separate the more inconvenient [elements], we…” quote by Jean le Rond d'Alembert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/0d9/jean-le-rond-d-alembert-26487_able_geometry-which-should-only-obey-physics_6945.jpg)
