For some unknown reason, I use, overuse and yet continue to repeat the pattern of saying two words - "cute" and "little."   Reminiscent of the valley girls who like, are so, like cool, I insert these two words early and often.  My husband has been pointing it out to me for years.  I wonder if it is one of those initial mannerisms that he found attractive in me and now irritates every last one of his cute, little nerves. It's just now striking me it could be a little like that.

A typical conversation with hubby goes something like this:
Me:  I'm going on a little walk. Wanna go?
He: No thanks, not really up for a little walk.  Was hoping to take a long one.  But if you want, we can take a little  (air quotes accompany) bike ride later.
Me: Ok I'll let you know in a little bit. 

Ironically, cute and little are the last words someone would use to describe me and my large frame. I am part German in heritage so of course I have a practical build (for a working farmer) and a strong foundation with my size 11 work boots. Even when we were - ahem - little, a friend of my parents commented that we four girls were a sturdy lot.  And one of my fondest memories of my truly cute and little mom was when I was showing her some "cute" shoes I had just bought.  She doubled over in laughter and I think even emitted a few little snorts, noting that nothing in my size could really accurately be described as cute!

And now our youngest son loves to point out cute and little things I might like.  After I've apparently declared that something is a cute little flower or a bench or a house, he will endearingly ( I think?) respond, "Oh, how cute!"  And both sons have adopted an expression that has shortened the expression "little bit," morphing the word "little" into a noun. 
Son 1: Mom, I'm going on a run and will be back in a little.
Son 2: Mom, do you think dinner will be ready in a little?

Now that I have analyzed this observation, I am going to make a concerted effort to enhance my vocabulary beyond those two little words (cute, huh?)  Right after I make these cute, little planters from the hundreds of corks that I have amassed little by little.
~Helen