I have always been amazed at people who have the gift of gab.  Actually I have always been amazed at where we come up with silly expressions like “the gift of gab”, too. 

In this instance, gab is really a word.  The dictionary defines it as:

• a verb:  to talk or chat idly; chatter
• a noun:  idle talk; chatter

And, that surprises me.  I have heard people say that they are gabbing – using gab as a verb.  But, I can’t remember anyone ever using the word as a noun.  How would that go?  “I have some interesting gab to share with you”. . .??

But, I digress.  As I said, people who have the gift of gab really do amaze me.  I can carry on a lively discussion, but I’ve always been a fan of comfortable silence, too.  Although there are professions where the gift of gab comes in particularly handy.

Hairstylists for one.  I’ve known people who could talk about anything and everything through a complete hair cut.  And, after you’ve left the salon, either you really can’t remember a word they said, or you’re totally overwhelmed at having been subjected to their entire life story since the last time your hair was looking shaggy.

I have a friend who can talk on the phone for hours, and my only responsibility is to inject a “really”, “ummmm”, or “ah’ from time to time.  In fact, there have been times when I’ve put the phone down briefly and returned to the conversation with the other person being none the wiser.

Dentists and dental assistants also make good use of the gift of gab.  The only problem, of course, is if they happen to ask a question.  The orthodontist I went to when I was young had a habit of filling my mouth with all kinds of devices, plus several of his giant fingers, then asking brightly “So, how’s school?”  I always wondered if he did it on purpose, and if he got anything out of my garbled response.

Yes, I’m afraid I’m one of those folks who agree with George Bernard Shaw when he said:

“She had lost the art of conversation but not, unfortunately, the power of speech.”