MY WORD IS MY BOND

 

Some words, expressions, and idioms, seem to shadow us and be everywhere. Of late, "my word is my bond" dangles in front of me constantly. I hear it in films, TV programs, and conversations, and even I read it in print.  Of course, it's just sheer chance I encounter the expression so often. Random linguistic encounters happen all the time but it is a coincidence that the present Spanish Prime Minister, Pedro Sánchez, has sent politics and ethics topsy-turvy, down the drain, by declaring that he does not lie or go back on his word... he simply changes his mind. "Mi palabra es sagrada" would be a good Spanish equivalent, although not for Mr. Sánchez, because "my word is my bond" is a meaningless phrase no longer in use and which, as far as he is concerned, has no credibility. He has upended the basic foundations of society. La palabra ya no es sagrada and my word is no longer my bond. Time to reread George Orwell and  1984.