Gripe

 

In this time of isolation and sheltering in place, there is no one to gripe to.

To gripe is to complain about something in a persistent, irritating way.

Complain, grumble, moan, groan, protest, whine, bleat, twine, grouse, bellyache, beef, bitch, grouch, kick up a fuss, knock, whinge, grievance, objection, quibble are all griping.

The conversation around the water cooler was to gripe about not getting enough pay or long hours. Going to a drinking establishment with friends turned into gripes of lost loves, disabled autos, uncomfortable living conditions and unhappy family situations.

Gripe about the game on the television. Gripe about the poor service and the watered down drinks.

No one wants to hear about how great things are, so we gripe.

To gripe is not about gripe water.

 

Gripe water is a non-prescription product sold in many countries around the world to relieve colic and other gastrointestinal ailments and discomforts of infants. Some gripe water products still contain sugar.

A baby is more likely to experience stomach discomfort when unable to pass gas. Some babies cry for several hours over days or weeks. Since the herbs in gripe water theoretically help with digestion, this remedy is thought to help with colic caused by gassiness. Gripe water is also used for teething pain and hiccups.

It could potentially worsen a baby’s reflux symptoms. Gripe water containing gluten, dairy, parabens, and vegetable carbon should be avoided. Although gripe water is generally safe, it’s not recommended for babies younger than 1 month. The digestive tract is sensitive and still developing at this age.

 

Gripe is also pronounced differently but spelled grip. To grip is to grasp tightly; clutch. Also boats are secured with grips.

 

Gripe should not be confused with Grippe.

Grippe is a disease like or the same as influenza, old-fashioned term for influenza.

Influenza, commonly known as “the flu”, is an infectious disease caused by an influenza virus. Symptoms can be mild to severe. The most common symptoms include: high fever, runny nose, sore throat, muscle and joint pain, headache, coughing, and feeling tired. Grippe spread by airborne respiratory droplets (coughs or sneezes), touching a contaminated surface (blanket or doorknob), saliva (kissing or shared drinks) or skin-to-skin contact (handshakes or hugs).

 

So after months of listening to doom and gloom all the time without being able to unload, social media becomes our suggestion box. Climate change, pandemic, economic uncertainty, virtual learning at home, restaurants and bars closed, no sports or music venues open, hoarding toilet paper, police brutality, income inequality, systemic racism, wearing surgical mask, social distancing, vaccines that might work are all subjects covered from every angle presented with an array of opinions. Everyone has something to gripe about.

“When do I get my stimulus check?” “Why can’t I see my mother before she dies?” “Why can’t we gather for church?” “When can we get back to normal?” All are good subjects for gripes.

Back in normal times there were simple gripes about potholes or waiting inline at the bank, but now everyone has their very own gripe. “Why don’t I make as much money as a man?” “Why did I get fired when I went non-binary?” “Why aren’t there more people of color in the motion pictures?” “Why does college cost so much?”

Like a dog barking or a smoke alarm, listening to a gripe gets old. Is there a solution? Can you just accept it? Does complaining help the situation?

 

Tomorrow I will turn on the radio and again listen to people who feel they have something to say, griping.

Then the radio is turned off.