Have you ever noticed that doctors' communication skill often leave some
thing to be desired?  Here are some typical examples of doctor-talk and
their approximate translations:

What they say:    "It could be one of several things."
WHAT THEY MEAN:   "I haven't the foggiest idea what's wrong with you."
 
What they say:    "Are you sure you haven't had this before?
WHAT THEY MEAN:   "Because you've got it again."
 
Say:              "I'd like to run that test again."
MEAN:             "The lab lost your blood sample."
 
Say:              "Insurance should cover most of this."
MEAN:             "You'll have to sell your house to cover the rest."
 
Say:              "These pills have very few side effects."
MEAN:             "You may experience sudden hair growth on your palms."
 
Say:              "Why don't you go over your symptoms with me one more time."
MEAN:             "I can't remember who you are."
 
Say:              "There's alot of this going around."
MEAN:             "And we'll give it a name as soon as we figure out what
                  it is."

Say:              "You say it hurts when you do that?"
MEAN:             "Don't do that."