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This week’s post looks at the language that we use to talk about risk – that is, the possibility of something bad happening. I look at phrases that include the word ‘risk’ itself and then consider a range of useful idioms on this theme.
by Liz Walter
Bertrand Russell said that half the sins of mankind are caused by the fear of boredom, and some people certainly go to great lengths to avoid it. Psychological research has shown significant differences between ‘ordinary’ people and those who engage in thrill-seeking pursuits such as mountaineering or base jumping (jumping from a high place and freefalling before opening a parachute). These people know the risks they are taking – they must know, because the high injury and death rates are so striking – but for them, the excitement of the activity still outweighs the risk.
While most of us can perhaps understand the lure of conquering mountains and oceans, deaths or injuries from other more recent crazes seem altogether more futile. Continue reading “Boredom? It’s a risky business!”