Only

Only: And no one or nothing more besides; solely.
No more than (implying that more was expected); merely.

 

MICE ELF: We hates the word "just".

ME: Hates it, we do. 

CP: I have a new one phor you: It's "only" a word. 

MICE ELF: What's to dislike about only?

CP: It's only just like just, only it's just a word. 

ME: Enigmatically unhelpful. 

MICE ELF: Just get to the point. 

CP: Here is yesterday's conversation:

Pt: I need to drop this off. 

CP: Are you going to wait or come back?

Pt: Well it's only 4 caps so I don't have to come back; I'll be around. 

CP: Good. Not sure what the "only 4 caps" has to do with your decision but I'll have it ready in 15 minutes regardless. 

ME: So your knickers are knotted because she used "only" as a synonym for "just" as a means to trivialise the job we have to perform?

MICE ELF: Your bloomers are bunched over "only" a word?

CP: Yes. 

ME & MICE ELF: Makes sense. 

CP: Counting to 4 capsules is not, has never been, and likely never will be the rate-limiting step in the equation that is philling your prescriptions. Phor people to diminish our job by use of the words "only" or "just" is phrustrating. 

ME: Well it is a perception that we fostered; or at least the big chains nurtured with their fast-food approach to a healthcare "profession".

MICE ELF: That's like saying that, in order to perform my oil change, the technician has to "only pull a plug". 

CP: Precisely. Don't minimise my job because you do not understand it.

#IfOnly