First published 17 July, 2010
I am so glad that Australia has the prospect of moving forward. I know that we stand an excellent chance of proceeding in a forwardly direction because our leaders frequently say we are “moving forward”.
Moving forward is much easier than moving backwards. Try walking or running backwards for any length of time. Reversing? Awful to do, especially with a stiff neck.
My concern is that the ugly phrase “moving forward” could join its close relative “going forward” as among the most oft-repeated, meaningless expressions to grace our tongue since American management speak infiltrated everyday speech about a decade ago.
The wonderful columnist Lucky Kellaway made a brave case against the use of “going forward” a few years ago.
She wrote: “When someone says ‘going forward’ it assaults the ears just as, when a colleague starts slurping French onion soup at a neighbouring desk, it assaults the nose. ”
Before hearing Lucy read this column (which she does for the BBC) I had barely registered how often people were using this needless term instead of simply saying, “In future”, or rather, just beginning to say what they wanted to say without this throat-clearing preface.
“Moving forward” could be the basis for an exciting new competition: guess how many times “moving forward” is repeated during a forthcoming election campaign? The winner could get a themed prize, a bicycle, for instance, (clean, green and moves forward).
The campaign theme might eventually become a game show, where people have to move forward on a giant Monopoly board, or risk getting voted off if they draw a card that sends them back three spaces.
So perhaps my initial reaction to “moving forward” was a little harsh. With a little imagination, there are endless ways we can move forward – and still keep a sense of humour.
Read Lucy Kellaway’s views on “moving forward” on BBC News.