In reviewing reasons for unsubscribing, I learned that "I get too many emails" reason was in the majority. A few months ago I introduced the short 1-minute "nugget" publication, and feedback was highly positive. Since that time, I have published both formats every week. Alas, I think that 2x per week is "too much of a good thing." Subscribers who receive missives from me twice each week are tending to look for the unsubscribe box.

Therefore, I am going to experiment with alternating the 2 formats so that you'll receive only one each week. Let's see how that works for you.

Your thoughts? Please let me know: loren@conversationmatters.com

"No one would talk much in society, if he knew how often he misunderstands others."

-- Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, 1749 - 1832

"As scarce as truth is, the supply has always been in excess of the demand."

--Josh Billings

Pronunciation: WIH-kee

From Hawaiian wikiwiki, which means "superfast."

English words beginning with wiki- proliferate: wikipedia, wikileaks, wikihow, wikinomics.

Its adapted English meaning is "a collaborative website whose content can be edited by anyone who has access to it." "Wikipedia" was best known among the wikis, but perhaps by now Wikileaks has surpassed its fame. In any case, I like that our robust and inclusive American English borrows from any and all languages.

(Now I think I'll go have some kaukau, and tonight some pupus.)

Lyrics for "I'll Remember You" by Hawaiian-Chinese musician Kui Lee (1964)

I'll remember you

Long after this endless summer is gone

I'll be lonely, oh so lonely

Living only to remember you

I'll remember too

Your voice as soft as a warm summer breeze

Your sweet laughter mornings after

Ever after I'll remember you.

Which of the following phrases was not written by Shakespeare?

a. "wild goose chase" (Romeo and Juliet)

b. "Greek to me"

c. "into thin air"

d. "eaten out of house and home"

(Check answer at end of today's article.)

For the very first time in 9 years, I am skipping the article feature of "Better Conversations" to ask you which topics you'd like me to explore in future issues. For example, "the silent treatment" is a topic I haven't written about, and several subscribers asked me to explore it. Therefore, I will do so in the near future.

What's a topic or question you'd like me to write about?

Which of the following phrases was not written by Shakespeare?

a. "wild goose chase" (Romeo and Juliet)

b. "Greek to me" (Julius Caesar)

c. "into thin air" (The Tempest)

d. "eaten out of house and home" (Henry IV, Part II)

Answer: All of the above were written by Shakespeare, the most quoted author of all time. He was born on April 23, 1564 and died on April 23, 1616.

For readers who asked to see the layout for "Clever Business Cards" to use when you meet people who have run out of cards? Here it is:

Basic information: My Name, email, and Tel.

Loren Ekroth ©2011, all rights reserved

Loren Ekroth, Ph.D. is a specialist in human communication and a national expert on conversation for business and social life.