Things that make you go 'um'

First it was a hit song, now it's a book.

Long before both it was a mantra.

But I digress.

Michael Erard's book — "Um: Slips, Stumbles And Verbal Blunders, And What They Mean" — aims to help us understand why it is we make fools of ourselves when we open our mouths.

Long ago I abandoned any belief that understanding why I did something was the first step toward changing my behavior.

Nowadays I'm much more matter-of-fact about it, like the magnet on my fridge that says "Vote for change. Vote for me and I'll give you 25¢."

Those who'd like to try a more sensible approach can drop $16.47 on Erard's book and have at it.