I had a meeting yesterday with my boss and someone who flew in from Washington. My boss asked how we could help her, and she said, "I'd like to pick your brains."

While I know that's a common cliche, that did it for me. During our whole lunch I had these visions of brains being picked. Ugh. I know it's because I am a literalist, but I realize I hate that phrase. Yet, my daughter said she likes it and thought I was crazy for feeling like that. Am I alone in that?

Take some solace perhaps from the fact that it's generally a compliment...

While it is a compliment, what should I think when people say they want to shovel mine?

I suppose I can see Hab's point - but I think my literalism gets in the way. I feel the same way about phrases like "getting my head(brain) around" or "getting my arms around" an idea. I imagine long arms or a flexible head/brain wrapping around the idea. I found this site about the differences between getting your head around something, versus getting your arms around something.

Be careful. You might get kuru.