I got a press release recently announcing the appointment of a new executive to a position at a major online printing company. He was quoted as expressing his optimism, saying he could help take the company to new heights because thus far it had only "tapped the surface" of the available opportunities for growth. I suppose with his help the company will go on to skim the depths of the available opportunities. Such mixed metaphors grate me up the wrong way, but they will probably be around until the fat lady freezes over.

I often write about successful printers who are able to live high on the cob. I also sometimes talk about shortsighted business decisions—but once I open that can of worms they invariably come home to roost. Although I know I might be treading on thin water, this month I'll take another one of my periodic looks at some language skills all quick printers should possess. After all, clear communication is essential in business and it is not rocket surgery.

Are mixed metaphors really examples of poor communications skills? I think so, but others would argue with me until the cat turned blue. However, in discussing the subject, I didn't want to be flying by the edge of my seat, so I turned to the website for the Calvin College English Department. There I hit the nail on the jackpot when I found pages of mixed metaphor examples.

I want to make it clear that I'm not saying that my language skills are perfect and those of many printers and ad copywriters are not. That would be like the pot calling the kettle's bluff. However, I have seen many examples of poor writing from both that seem to indicate they are like cats out of water when it comes to correct language usage. But when you bring up the subject with them, they often react like a duck on a hot tin roof.

So if you have really worked on your language skills, that's a feather in your pocket. I'm not saying that the world is now your lobster, but you are ahead of many people.

I fully understand that working to develop such skills is not a walk in the cake, but if I can do it you can, too. After all, I'm not the sharpest cookie in the jar. Just remember that there is a carrot at the end of the tunnel. And keep your eye on the pie.

Of course, there is a lot more to this language thing, but we'll tackle that bridge when we come to it. Just remember, the rolling stone catches the worm.

I hope I haven't been beating a dead drum with this mixed metaphor discussion, but that is for you to decide. The monkey is in your court.