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Passing out

In some Hindi film of a bygone era I remember a cheesy line that went - English is a very phunny language. Could not be further from the truth - the whole kind. Take for example the juxtaposition of two simple words - Passing and Out. When used as a verb and said in a sentence it can imply a lot of things to people. Commonly if I hear it I run away. Clearly something is not alright with the atmosphere where I am at and human condition being referred to with that verb should be cause for concern. Could it be an ammonia leak from that bathroom over there? Could it be that hydrogen tank gone awry over at the factory or simply an excess of flatulence from that awkward dude on the fence.. if he passed out (some form of toxin) then the neighbor passed out. Simple. I want 'out' from the scene. Then there is the Queen's English or its Indian incarnation anyway. People as they graduate from their schooling careers are said to 'pass out' left and right. As in they are graduating. To what you ask? More passing out of whatever they set their minds to. Not the leaflet kind but actual solid education I say. One that teaches them subtleties of passing out! Over and Out.
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