Useless expressions

Here's a list of pointless expressions:

• At the end of the day.........
• That being said.............
• All things considered.........
• All things being equal.........
• On the one hand..........
• On the other hand........
• When you really think about it.......
• Not to put too fine a point on it.........
• Conversely..........
• Without a doubt.........

They are really meaningless fillers and my late editor, Mrs. Portugal, would tolerate none.  They actually give the user the option of not committing to any position.  One of the worst master offenders of the device is Andrew Coyne, who uses them all with gay abandon, filling the inside front page of the 'Opinion' section of 'The Globe' every Saturday with columns and columns of drivel.

Right up there with Coyne is Allan Gregg, a Canadian pollster and self-described "pundit" who used to opine regularly on CBC.  His favourite expression was, "That being said.....", after which he would launch into the complete opposite of what he had just fervently espoused.  Cute trick because he never commits to any position on anything, but makes a ton of money doing it.  (Allegedly, reportedly, just my opinion, as the great Maureen Callahan always says adds after she excoriates a victim.)

The elusive Mr. Gregg.

So, next time you hear anyone using any of the above, take note: They're not saying anything.