What People Really Mean
Posted: Friday, January 30, 2009
by Terry Mitchell
http://commenterry.blogs.com
Many times, people will say one thing when they really mean something else. In some cases, it's a matter of using euphemisms instead of getting straight to the point, often to avoid to hurting someone's feelings or seeming too brutally honest. In other cases, it's an attempt to deny or "clean up" the reality of a given situation.
Sometimes, it's an attempt to equivocate, or hide one's true motivations or feelings. Some examples are provided below. Keep in mind that these are generalities and, as is the case with anything else, they are not 100% applicable all the time.
They really mean: "My candidate is trailing right now."
When people say: "You shouldn't mix religion and politics."
They really mean: "Religion is not a very important part of my life."
When people say: "It's time for you to make a decision."
They really mean: "It's time for you to do what I've been recommending all along."
When people say: "I'm not really sure I know what that is."
They really mean: "I don't buy it."
When people say: "I think we should start seeing other people."
Or they say : "I think we should just be friends."
They really mean: "Get out of my life forever."
When people say: "I would never have thought of selecting that."
Or they say : "Okay, if that's what you really want."
They really mean: "You made a stupid choice."
When people say: "The First Amendment doesn't give people the right to say anything they want."
They really mean: "I believe in censorship."
When people say: "The will of the majority should always prevail."
They really mean: "I believe in mob rule."
When people say: "I'm a very strong advocate of the Second Amendment."
They really mean: "The Second Amendment is my favorite of the bunch. I couldn't care less about the rest of them."
When people say: "I'm open-minded about sex."
They really mean: "I have the morals of a yard animal."
When people say: "I'm a progressive."
They really mean: "I'm a liberal."
When people say: "He's a blue-collar kind of guy."
They really mean: "He's a redneck."
When people say: "We don't need a law like that – we have a similar one already on the books."
They really mean: "I don't even agree with the existing law."
When people say: "I don't ever get the flu, so I don't need a flu shot."
Or they say : "I don't need to get my cholesterol checked."
They really mean: "I'm afraid of needles."
When people say: "I support our troops, no matter what."
They really mean: "I'll mindlessly go along with any military decision the President makes."
When people say: "If you want to leave, I won't stand in your way."
They really mean: "Please don't go!"
When people say: "It's your decision. I won't try to influence it."
They really mean: "I hope you're smart enough to make the same decision that I would."
When people say: "We're doing this for the children."
They really mean: "This is a chance for us to limit the rights of adults."
When people say: "It takes all kinds."
They really mean: "That person is just plain weird."
When people say: "Everybody is somebody."
They really mean: "My pedigreed cronies and I are more important than most."
When people say: "How am I doing?"
They really mean: "Wouldn't you agree that I'm doing a superb job?"
When people say: "Successful people should be willing to give back."
They really mean: "Those dirty capitalist pigs should be ashamed of themselves. Giving back is the least they could do."
When people say: "That's a classy outfit you're wearing."
They really mean: "You're overdressed."
When people say: "One religion is just as valid as another."
They really mean: "All religions are equally invalid."
When people say: "You need to understand that marriage is a serious step in one's life."
They really mean: "You're too young to get married."
When people say: "I live paycheck to paycheck."
They really mean: "I lack the discipline to save any money."
When people say: "Have you considered estate planning?"
They really mean: "Don't you want to leave all of your hard-earned money to someone else?"
When people say: "Your political views are all over the place."
They really mean: "You're either for us or against us. Take your pick."
They really mean: "You're either for us or against us. Take your pick."
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Top-level comments on this article: (2 total)Terry, great job Rhetorically speaking just what does we need action NOW mean?Robert, thanks for the comment. As far as your question is concerned, I don't think anyone can be sure of that answer.Terry, I think your are correct. Yet I thought your arrticle was great and if any had one you might. I could then send it to Bush and Obama.Ha, I'm glad you think that highly of me, Robert, but I don't think anyone's that smart. I don't think the politicians themselves understand the stuff that comes from their mouths half the time. :-)
What do people mean when they say "Thank you for being honest"Colette
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