Not just a polite way to tell someone to shut the hell up, apparently the term “speech-fasting” is gaining some popularity thanks in part to Scottish legacy singer Lulu insisting that she exist in an extended state of silence on days she is performing. She is 75, after all, and protecting her instrument is very important to her. But it does just sound nice, if not a bit impractical.

Using your words probably helps when you have to get the kids or the spouse up and out the door in the morning. Or both. Or if you work as a morning radio host for instance. Some weekends it happens organically though. You happen to get up, no one’s around, you enjoy a cup of coffee, and then get surprised by your own voice at 1pm when your phone rings. Those speech-fasting mornings are glorious.