". . . little shall I grace my cause

In speaking for myself. Yet, by your gracious patience,

I will a round unvarnish'd tale deliver . . ."

(William Shakespeare's Othello, I.iii.88-90)

Wednesday, September 19, 2012

I Do Not Think That Means What You Think It Means

Have you ever noticed that there are certain phrases that have a completely different meaning from what they claim to be communicating? A few examples: 

"Not to change the subject . . . ." I'm about to change the subject.

"I hate to tell you this . . . ." I can't wait to tell you this.

"I promise I won't judge you." You are about to be judged.

"Nothing wrong with that." Here's what's wrong with that.

"No offense . . . ." Get ready to be offended.

"It's not personal." I don't like you.

"I have nothing against him." I don't like him.

"It's your call." You're about to make the wrong decision.

"I was only kidding." You are hypersensitive.

"We wish you the best in your future endeavors." Good riddance.

Can you think of any more?






5 comments:

RobbieFish said...

"Thank you for sharing." Shut up already!

"It's not you, it's me." I'm sick of you.

"Let's not assign blame." Not my fault!

"That's a point of view." But a stupid one.

"I appreciate your concern." Your objection is irrelevant.

"It has been said..." I'm making this up.

"We kid because we love." Kiss my fanny, you whiner.

"Thank you for your service." Go away and stay away.

"I feel your pain." *eye roll*

"It is what it is." I hate the consequences but I intend to keep making the same mistakes.

"That's life." You're getting what you deserve.

Susan said...

I wonder about the "It's not personal." Yes, sometimes it most certainly means "I don't like you." But I think of all the times that a person could be having a conversation about morals, about what Scripture says, about political decisions, or about societal issues/laws ... and somebody takes it personally. If I believe the Fifth Commandment says something about abortion, that doesn't mean I dislike a person who's had an abortion. If Scripture says that homosexuality is a sin, and I don't disavow that, the gay people I know shouldn't think I don't like them because of that.

So I think that one can go both ways.

Cheryl said...

Oh, I agree, Susan. Several of them could go both ways. I was just making the point that many times people use these phrases in a way that is not sincere.

Robin, thanks for all the additional examples!

Anonymous said...

"I don't mean to be nosy, but ..." i amdying to know how much it cost

Cheryl said...

Here are a few more that have come in on the link I put on Facebook.

"I don't mean any disrespect, but . . . ."

"I don't meant to interrupt/disturb/distract you" right before doing just that.

"Not to get political . . . ." (I bet you can guess how that one ends.)