Here's Another One

Useless words and phrases: I do go on about them. On that note here's another: prequalified.

We all have, or at least many of us have, gotten offers in the mail which boldly proclaim that we are prequalified to apply for a credit card, or a loan, or a mortgage, or whatever. But what does that really mean?

It means that we can fill out an application for a credit card, or a loan, or a mortgage, or whatever.

But, ahem, can't we do that anyway? Can't we apply no matter what status the prequalify people deign to bestow upon us? I suppose that if you can't write, maybe you can't apply. Yet you might also get someone else to fill out the form for you. So there, Marty's run rings around even that objection.

Prequalified, bah. Humbug. You are prequalified to toss the word prequalified onto the prequalified junk pile. I have every confidence you can do it.