Got a fag?

Looking apologetically at his friend, Mike continues "I really thought he would like you, John. It seemed like a sure match, I was having a smoke and here comes this guy asking for a fag. You know I am a nice guy, can't help but help when I can."

But I digress...

Actually, I did not since there was no main topic to begin with. I think I have used that phrase before just to sound like I enjoy cucumber sandwiches. It is one of those phrases that makes the person you are talking to think you know what you are saying, referring to the main topic that is, digression can almost be seen as a skill worth learning either to digress so much that the main topic is forgotten. Very similar to being stoned, or to digress because the topic is boring.

Those are obviously not hard and fast rules. A digression in literature I think can be used to either add more information or to take the reader on a journey of discovery illustrating the way you came to the conclusions you did. Digression I imagine should though return to the main point, and it might seem that you pick up from where you left off but like a train you always have stowaways and upon arrival, there may be a few more people to either shoot or punch. It really depends on the era.

The first thing I noted when googling digression is that it referred to only writing and speech, I thought this is a bit limiting but soon found that there are synonyms we use for the other things. Immediately I felt better.

For me to even demonstrate the topic of digression I would need a topic. I do wonder whether distraction can be considered a digression while working. I tend to start writing things, comments, numbers of important phone calls but very easily get distracted and never finish doing that, sometimes I return but other times I can't remember who called.

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_{Why should my fishy be dead?}

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Ok for a topic...

John looks at his friend and gives him a pat on the back, he understands completely but was not going to let Mike get off so easily. "You know that can be considered hate speech right? I can have you both arrested," he could not because he knew the other guy just wanted a smoke, and he could not because he knew that Mike had no culture and did not enjoy cucumber sandwiches. It did not make the pathetic expression Mike had any less funny though.

"No, John. Honest! I did not mean it like that, I don't hate you, dude. I just thought you might like a good bumming." Mike watches as John takes a step back, he could see he did not expect him to say that. John questions furiously but with a restraint, only those who carry umbrellas on sunny days can manage. "What?"

Starting to break into a hysterical laugh, Mike answers "I have lived in the UK for a year now you twat, you think I don't know when someone wants a smoke? I work hard for my cancer I was not just going to give it to him."

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_{Thanx to @meesterboom that word has been stuck in my head, I have actually been surprised when someone asked me for a fag, and it turns out it is a bit of another side the railway way of asking for a smoke, or greenie.}