When “All Set” Isn’t
What’s Spanish for “thingy”?
The never-ending construction project is nearing completion. Doors are hung. Pantry is painted. Baseboards are attached and painted.
The contractor proudly showed off their work. “All set.”
The pantry doors swayed back and forth.
“Where’s the door thingy?”
After brief confusion, when his English-as-a-second-language and my complete lack of proper construction terminology seemed likely to doom communication, I spotted it on the shelf.
“This.”
He nodded. He quickly installed the door stabilizer. And the other one, for the closet doors.
“The dishwasher is all set?”
He pointed to the insulated panel beneath it. “All set.”
They left, and my husband started to load the dishwasher, thrilled to no longer be doing dishes by hand. The dishwasher tipped forward. It hadn’t been screwed into the counter.
I think “All set” means something else in Spanish.
