The term would be
“death penalty,” but TV editorialist Emily Litella would hear “deaf penalty.” She
would rant on with increasing fury about it until the news anchor would correct
her faulty perception.
Instantly
deflated but not at all contrite, Emily would smile sweetly and say, “Never
mind.”
It was a standard
Gilda Radner schtick in the Saturday Night Live phony newscast, and it usually
was pretty funny.
Something similar
frequently afflicts projects and other human activities, and it’s never funny –
at least for the people it happens to.
Mishearing what
is said or misunderstanding what is meant can lead to costly mistakes and
shattered relationships, especially when the environment is complex and
pressured, and the stakes are high.
