It is a common enough phrase, and most of us know about it, learn it early on and recognize the phrase easily. If asked where or from whom we first heard the phrase, most of us would scratch our heads and vaguely reference our parents, grandparents, or perhaps a friend of long ago. The point is that such a phrase is likely so commonplace and universal precisely because it represents a commonplace occurrence.
It happens so frequently that the phrase itself is accepted as representing a regular event in everyone’s life.
We hear the stories often enough: “I was walking along the street and X happened to me. That was bad enough. But to add insult to injury, then Y did this-this-and-that to me, as well!” Or: “I thought it was bad enough that X wouldn’t do Y for me, but to add insult to injury, he then proceeded to do Z.” Yes, it is the commonplace-ness of it all which is the reason why the phrase itself is learned at such an early age.
Life is like that, isn’t it? After the newborn first learns those early words or sounds — like “Ma-ma” or “Da-da” — he or she then immediately learns the phrase, “To add insult to injury”. Well, maybe not those very words, exactly, but something close to them.
For Federal employees and U.S. Postal workers who suffer from a medical condition such that the medical condition prevents the Federal or Postal worker from performing one or more of the essential elements of one’s Federal or Postal job, consult with an OPM Disability Lawyer who specializes in Federal Disability Retirement Law before the Federal Agency or Postal Service adds insult to injury.
Sincerely,
Robert R. McGill, Esquire
OPM Disability Retirement, Et Cetera… 