Volume XXI

The TWS team took the 4th off last week — so apologies for no newsletter! We hope you painted the town red, let some sparks fly, and went out with a bang.

Here are a few good ones we heard this week back at the office.

I. Break the ice 🧊

Icebreaker ships were first launched by Russia in 1864. With metal hulls and rounded bows, they cut through thick ice, clearing a path for others to follow.

These days, the word “icebreaker” is less industrial, more social. The group at your BBQ splits off, and suddenly like 2009 Darrelle Revis, you’re on an island with your cousin’s husband you’ve never met. Awkward silence creeps in.

Pressures on you to break the ice and clear the path to conversation with a witty line about the brisket.

II. Devil is in the details 😈

The phrase comes from an old German proverb: "Der liebe Gott steckt im Detail" — “God is in the detail” — a nod to greatness born from obsessing over the small stuff. The phrase was often attributed to architect Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, a pioneer of the minimalist modernism craft (he also popularized “less is more”).

But by the mid-20th century, the sentiment flipped from craftsmanship to caution. Now it’s a warning: what goes wrong is usually buried in the fine print.

That “free” CLEAR trial? The unreasonably priced Airbnb in the South of France? The devil lies within…

III. Straight from the horse’s mouth 🐴

We all know that one coworker or friend who tells a story so over-the-top, you’re left wondering what’s real and what’s fluff. The only way you’d believe them is if the info came straight from the source.

That’s exactly where this one comes from. Back in the day, horse traders had a reputation for being dishonest. To stretch the truth (and the sale price), they’d fudge a horse’s age or health.

But savvy buyers knew where the real story could be found. A quick check of its teeth could reveal its true age— no spin, no sales pitch.

So next time you need the unfiltered truth, you know where to get it: straight from the horse’s mouth.

Keep on sending on. Forward to a friend.