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DEAR MISS MANNERS: I find the word "perfect" is now overused to the point of confusion. It seems to have replaced "OK," "thank you" and even "message received."

I hear "perfect" as I'm filling out forms or giving someone information. But the speaker doesn't mean "no mistakes" or "that's correct." It just means that I have the information that is needed.

This lack of clarity put me in a difficult position recently, resulting in a double booking for a couple of clients I do occasional work for. When I had asked several clarifying questions about the availability of a certain date, one of the clients answered the questions and also buried a "perfect" in their responses. They assumed that I would interpret that "perfect" as "Let's book it." So I ended up with a double booking.

When you add a vague "perfect" to the daily onslaught of 100+ emails, which get read quickly, confusion results.

GENTLE READER: Indeed. And Miss Manners is among those who find little changes in language grating, not only when the usage is confusing, but when the word is overused -- such as "amazing," and before that, "awesome." And many more.

But she knows -- and reminds you, as a comfort -- that language always evolves, and that this too shall pass.

DEAR MISS MANNERS: My daughter completed her master's degree, and my husband and I decided to celebrate with a small luncheon at a local restaurant, to which we invited immediate family.

She received a card and/or gift from each guest, which she opened at the luncheon with her loved ones around her. I expected that she would get the thank-you notes out in a timely manner.

After a week or so had gone by, I asked if she had gotten around to thanking people. Now it has been three weeks, and she still has not sent out the thank-you cards. She said that she didn't have time, and that she was now waiting for "Halloween-themed thank-you cards" to be in the shops.

I am mortified she would even consider such a thing, but my daughter sees nothing wrong with this. I told her that she should have already sent out the cards, and that it should not be Halloween-themed, but a general, all-purpose card -- or even a blank one -- to write her thanks fitting of the celebration.

I have no idea what to tell my family, should they ask about why they got a Halloween thank-you card.

GENTLE READER: If it is any comfort, your daughter is not going to send Halloween cards. It should not be too much comfort, though, because she is not going to send any cards.

She just threw that in to flummox you. And it worked.

Mind you, Miss Manners is no more amused by this than you are. Your daughter would have been better off arguing that, for small presents given in person by close relatives, verbal thanks was sufficient.

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(Please send your questions to Miss Manners at her website, www.missmanners.com; to her email, gentlereader@missmanners.com; or through postal mail to Miss Manners, Andrews McMeel Syndication, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106.)

Copyright 2026 Judith Martin

COPYRIGHT 2026 JUDITH MARTIN