Joseph C. Ives explored the Grand Canyon and Colorado River region in 1857 and 1858. He thought it was nothing to write home about. Although he admired the scenery, he described it as “altogether valueless.” He could not imagine anyone wanting to visit there.

I wonder what he would think if he could see the Grand Canyon’s millions of visitors today.

Nothing to write home about means something is nothing special.

It is:

• Boring
• Not very good
• Unimportant

The expression can describe almost anything, including:

• Food
• Income
• Places
• Activities
• Books
• Movies

We don’t always agree on what is nothing to write home about.

 For example, do you enjoy:

• Seafood?
• A job with regular hours?
• The Grand Canyon?
• Tennis?
• John Grisham books?
• Hallmark Christmas movies?

Some of us like these. Others of us think they are for the birds.

Caring for one another is always something to write home about.

Jesus set the example of love in action. We do well to follow, through thick and thin.

“Now about your love for one another we do not need to write to you, for you yourselves have been taught by God to love each other” (1 Thessalonians 4:9 NIV).

Thanks to Jim Graybeal for the suggestion.

Do you have an expression you want explained? If so, please comment below.

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