Burst or Explode

I was reading the meeting minutes with my fellow colleagues when I realized that there was something “seriously” wrong with the minutes.

Me: Exploded? What do you mean “exploded”?

Colleague 1: Yah, I thought the bag only burst.

Me (to Colleague 1): I remembered you telling me that you were carrying a bag of hot wax, and then, the bag burst, you slipped and fell.

Colleague 1: Yah, I don’t remembered it exploded. My English maybe bad but the bag definitely only burst, not explode.

Me (at this point, I began to explain to other colleagues who had gathered around to “study” the minutes): Exploded!!!! So drama!! What a term to use! The bag only burst and the contents leak out and then Colleague 1 slipped and fell and then … …

Other colleagues were giggling as we whispered the difference between “BURST” and “EXPLODED” and that we should use proper English when writing meeting minutes. I also went into great length in explaining the importance of using proper English and terms. There was no need to exaggerate in minutes. My dear friends, you must understand that I attended lectures on writing minutes and therefore, am rather particular about the way meeting minutes should be written.

Later the day, I complained to other colleagues about the use of “EXPLODE” and “BURST” in the meeting minutes… … We were taking the escalator to Plaza Singapura.

Me: You cannot use the word “EXPLODE”!!!!!!! It sounded like we had a major accident!!!!!! “Explode” is like atomic bomb explosion. There’s an upward movement. (My hands were high up in the air to illustrate the difference.)

Other colleagues were shocked while I continued, in an extremely animated manner.

Me: “Burst” is like (at this point, there were loads of sound effects and gestures to explain the “burst” effect) while “EXPLODE” is “BOMB” (I had even more sound effects and gestures. Yes, I was tremendously animated!!!!!!!)

Me: Is just like you say “My water bag burst”. You don’t say “My water bag exploded!!!!!!” Imagine what it will be like if your water bag exploded. You won’t be giving birth because your baby would “explode” out of you!!!!

At this point, my poor colleagues were in peals of uncontrollable laughter. Yes, I was very animated. Extremely… … I supposed I could do a monologue if I wanted to. A monologue on “When and How to Use Burst and Explode”… …