Someone our caller ID displayed only as "Private Caller" rang us at 3 this morning and again at 6:30. I was awake for the second phone call, so I picked it up. It went a little something like this:
Me: Hello?
Private Caller (a woman with a creepy, soft, sleepy voice): Oh, hi. It's me. I have had the weirdest night. It's so early. Do you hate me?
Me: Um, who is this?
Private Caller: It's me. Don't you know who this is?
Me: Nope. Sorry.
Private Caller (sounding rather hurt): You really don't know who this is?
Me: I really don't.
Private Caller (sounding genuinely wounded): It's Heather.
Me: I think you have the wrong number*
Private Caller (very soft indeed now): Oh. (breathy pause) Sorry.
*We all say this in a wrong-number situation when what we really mean is "I know beyond a shadow of a doubt you have the wrong number, Heather. I'm sorry you had a weird night and I'm sorry whomever you were trying to seduce with what you've practiced as your tired/sexy voice either gave you a fake number that turned out to be mine or was just too drunk the morning after to write hers down correctly, but it's 6:30 in the morning on a Saturday and not even a wicked hangover should lead you to believe that calling anyone that early is socially acceptable." But hey, I like to keep things colloquial.
You can find more of the interesting word usements I structure* on Apple.com.
Read my article, Better Writing Through Design, on No. 242 of A List Apart.
Pick up issue 176 of .net magazine to read my thoughts on creating outstanding web copy.
Watch a video of the Design Eye for South By panel at SXSW Interactive 2008. Or view the slide deck at DesignEye.org.
*With apologies to Harris K. Telemacher.