“So Done” vs. “Are You Done Yet?”
For an unassuming four letter word, “done” sure has a lot of different connotations.
I count at least eight (below), including two meanings ” one good, one bad ” popular in residential real estate.
One. To perfection. Example: “That house is done. It’s not staged like a spec house.” See, “done to the nines.”
Two. Dated, out-of-fashion; over. Sometimes preceded with a “so” for emphasis. “Earth tones/granite counters/stainless steel are [so] done” (actually, they aren’t).
Three. Completed a chore or task. “Are you done with your homework?”; “the laundry’s done,” etc.
Four. Completed an unsavory or illegal task, usually uttered in a low, confidential voice. Hit man to client: “it’s done.”
Five. Thoroughly cooked food; upbeat declarative. “The steaks are done!”
Six. Exhausted one’s patience ” usually a parent’s ” following which the activity in question is abruptly ended. Most common formulations, uttered with exasperated disgust: “We’re [done]”; “You’re [done].” What a parent says to a misbehaving child at the playground, restaurant, etc.
Sometimes preceded with a terse, “That’s it!” (“That’s it! We’re done . . .”).
Seven. Finished speaking your peace, sometimes followed with a “yet.” One spouse to another in an argument: “Are you done [yet]??”
Eight. Socially acceptable. “That’s just not done.”
Next post: versatile uses of the word “good” (example: “are we good?”). 🙂
See also, “Your Money’s No Good”; “Re-Duded Home“; and “Congratulations! You’ve Been Pre-Selected!”
