Ramifications

- My colleague has started behaving in an unusual way-
said my friend, Brussels Girl;
- she bought a copy of The Economist and starting underlining good words and expressions.
- uh... I do that... I admitted sheepishly*
- No but she hates The Economist - replied BG. - Only... last week, I used the word 'ramifications' at work and I think it caught her off-guard. What's more, the other day she used 'ramifications' too.
- Oh. I replied. - I'm not sure that I've ever used the word 'ramifications' actually: not even in casual conversation.

Now I'm starting to worry about my own use of English. Maybe I should try and drop in a few ramifications at unexpected moments.

At breakfast: 'If I were to eat a croissant with jam instead of Weetabix, what do suppose would be the the potential digestive ramifications?'

Crossing the road: 'In contact with that lorry I foresee significant bodily ramifications!'

On the cafe terrace: 'One more gin and tonic and tomorrow morning will be coloured by serious ramifications'...

Uxbridge English dictionary definition: 'Ramifications: i) fortifications involving a battering ram. ii) cardinal sin for sheep.'

Must think of some more good words... any ideas??


*Also Le Point, Repubblica and the bilingual airport magazines you get at Krakow Balice.