The news in England over the last few days has had a lot of concrete in it. And accusations. The problem seems to be around the possibility of concrete failing, particularly in schools of a certain age, built with a type of concrete known as RAAC (Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete).

Since all the chat I’ve been looking at concrete with deep suspicion, and no knowledge at all to back me up. However, I am a little more confident when it comes to words, and I’m wondering if it is time for certain expressions to be levered out of our daily use in the same way as RAAC.

The word concrete, like the building material, has got everywhere – in English at least. For instance, there is “set in concrete” and “concrete decision”, and in pyschology terms such as “concrete thinking” and “concrete emotion”. Have these also become a bit wobbly? Do we avoid them? Or should we just put on our hard hats, and muddle on through our concrete jungle?

Copyright Georgie Knaggs & The Phraser 2023