Fascinating to see how people use words that minimise or apologise when they are feeling uncomfortable. For example I have observed numerous presenters over the years say to the groups they are working with things like this when setting up exercises: “this is just a very little exercise …”, or “we’ll just very briefly …”, and so on. It’s as if by using minimising language it will make something that may not be very good more acceptable!

 Of course the impact is negative; the insecurity of the speaker is transmitted and shared with the audience, who then take the idea or exercise (and the person speaking) less seriously.