Question: “I noticed the words “short thrift” in the phrase “The others may get short thrift.” This quite possibly can be an auto correct that made an incorrect change or a typo, but it should read “short shrift,” which means to make short work of or dismiss summarily. According to my dictionary, it originally meant a very brief period of confession and absolution before death.” (Joy Shepherd, Hendricks County)

Question: “Dear Jordan, did you perhaps mean ‘short shrift’ [in your column]? I enjoy your column. English was one of my favorite subjects to teach.” (Marcia Lehrman)

Answer: Oh, I do love you, dear readers, especially when you teach me new things (and find polite ways to say, “Uh, Jordan, I think you’re wrong here”).

A few weeks ago I used the phrase “short thrift” in a column. It seems the phrase is in fact “short shrift,” and I’ve been using it wrong for all these years. I’m pretty sure I still sing “Stairway to Heaven” wrong too, though, so it’s in good company.

The phrase I wanted, “short shrift,” means “little or no attention or thought” – as in, “I gave my younger brother short shrift when we were kids.”

As Joy accurately mentioned, the phrase derives from an archaic word which is itself no longer used – “shrift” – meaning a confession or absolution given by a priest. According to the American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, the phrase “short shrift” came about meaning a “brief penance given to a person condemned to death so that absolution could be granted before execution.”

While “shrift” has more or less died off as a word on its own, the phrase “short shrift” has lived on with a decidedly less morbid meaning. So, never fear, older siblings of the world: We can continue ignoring the younger ones without portending their imminent demise!