The true meaning of English phrases

[The Hallucinating Goose]

It has occurred to me just how much I use the phrase, "fair enough", while at work. What I am really saying to an individual in this context though is, "I understand and I accept (whatever the situation is) but I do not agree". 

There are a lot of phrases in the English language which have these hidden meanings, what are some others you have come across? 

(and keep it clean!) 

[unapologetic pedant]

I would recommend Bernard Levin's famous "Quoting Shakespeare" composition, wherein he attempts to show how often English speakers are unconsciously quoting Shakespeare in everyday speech.

A companion catalogue of common idioms could be crafted from that other rich source, the King James Bible.

[The Hallucinating Goose]

Here's another one I've said this morning;

"it's not bad", which means, "I personally think said thing is horrible".

[Bedfordshire Bronco]

On 25/11/2023 at 08:49, The Hallucinating Goose said:

It has occurred to me just how much I use the phrase, "fair enough", while at work. What I am really saying to an individual in this context though is, "I understand and I accept (whatever the situation is) but I do not agree". 

There are a lot of phrases in the English language which have these hidden meanings, what are some others you have come across? 

(and keep it clean!)

The one doing the round last few years I hate

"It is what is is" 

 

Oh and "fair play to...."

[JohnM]

"Oh my God!" uttered by people (such as me) who haven't got one. 

[Damien]

I do think this is where non native English speakers must really struggle when learning English. Saying that even Americans that speak English really struggle with English phrases and things like sarcasm.

When you really think about it much of what we say does have a completely different meaning.

[Wolford6]

"With all due respect ..." is a classic one.

In Pariamentary debates: "My right honourable friend ..."

Private Eye, while talking about a woman MP (or celebrity) who's been fairly free with her favours; The "much-loved Member/presenter/actress/singer/aristocrat"

[The Hallucinating Goose]

59 minutes ago, Damien said:

I do think this is where non native English speakers must really struggle when learning English. Saying that even Americans that speak English really struggle with English phrases and things like sarcasm.

When you really think about it much of what we say does have a completely different meaning.

This is very true. One I've seen Americans comment on is the British greeting, "alright?" which we know is simply a substitute for, "hello" but I've seen Americans say that in their country if you are to ask someone if they are, "alright?" then it means you are genuinely concerned about their wellbeing, maybe because you think they look unwell or in distress or something. 

[gingerjon]

1 hour ago, Damien said:

I do think this is where non native English speakers must really struggle when learning English. Saying that even Americans that speak English really struggle with English phrases and things like sarcasm.

When you really think about it much of what we say does have a completely different meaning.

I have no idea what eggs over easy are.

[Wolford6]

3 minutes ago, gingerjon said:

I have no idea what eggs over easy are.

Perhaps they are in a woman who is over easy?

[gingerjon]

Just now, Wolford6 said:

Perhaps they are in a woman who is over easy?

That would certainly change my understanding of many American films.

[Wolford6]

"This curry is the dog's boll ocks" is a term for something being really good. That must fool foreigners

[Chanter]

The usual one for me is when someone asks 'How are you?'

For most, the usual answer is 'alright' or 'fine' when some days I'm sure, some people are not. lol

 

[glossop saint]

More meaning of words than phrases but I always wonder why some awe is good but to be full of awe is bad.

[JohnM]

20 hours ago, Chanter said:

The usual one for me is when someone asks 'How are you?'

For most, the usual answer is 'alright' or 'fine' when some days I'm sure, some people are not. lol

 

On occasions, my response has been, "Thanks for asking. How long have you got? To be honest, I'm seldom free from pain. It starts in my ......(insert suitable embarrassing organ here) ....."

 

They tend not to ask again....

Edited November 27, 2023 by JohnM

[CanaBull]

Having been in Canada so long it’s still pompously gratifying that an English accent (and a Yorkshire one at that, not an Oxbridge version of what North Americans think is an ‘English’ accent) can still enable me to be able to tell people to go forth and multiply without actually swearing. 
 

“Good DAY, sir!” carries the F off vibe enormously well.  And only a couple have cottoned onto the see you next Tuesday/there we are then usage in the occasional meeting when they take a turn for the worse

[unapologetic pedant]

1 hour ago, CanaBull said:

Having been in Canada so long it’s still pompously gratifying that an English accent (and a Yorkshire one at that, not an Oxbridge version of what North Americans think is an ‘English’ accent) can still enable me to be able to tell people to go forth and multiply without actually swearing. 
 

“Good DAY, sir!” carries the F off vibe enormously well.  And only a couple have cottoned onto the see you next Tuesday/there we are then usage in the occasional meeting when they take a turn for the worse

Ever met Turdeau?

[Gerrumonside ref]

Personally I’m not keen on the Francophonic phrases entering our lingo.

Bloody French sabotaging our language. 

[CanaBull]

23 minutes ago, unapologetic pedant said:

Ever met Turdeau?

Thankfully not, but he’s the soggy crust on a particularly unpleasant political class pie.  We’re about a decade behind the UK generally in outlook so expect it to get worse too. 
 

I have met Doug Ford and Dalton McGuinty who were both uncomfortably overly sweaty.  A few mayors as well, but there are few politicians over here that you don’t feel somewhat soiled and need to have a good wash after meeting. 

[TheYoungBaron]

1 hour ago, Gerrumonside ref said:

Personally I’m not keen on the Francophonic phrases entering our lingo.

Bloody French sabotaging our language. 

genre really gets my mate's goat! Wot's up wi types?

 

[Gerrumonside ref]

14 minutes ago, TheYoungBaron said:

genre really gets my mate's goat! Wot's up wi types?

 

It’s like Deja vu all over again…hang on!

[Midlands hobo]

In the old days prisoners were taken to the gallows and the cart stopped at pubs so people could see the condemned. The coach master took a cut from the publican and was offered a drink for the journey known as 

"One for the road?"

[The Hallucinating Goose]

3 hours ago, Midlands hobo said:

In the old days prisoners were taken to the gallows and the cart stopped at pubs so people could see the condemned. The coach master took a cut from the publican and was offered a drink for the journey known as 

"One for the road?"

Coincidentally I listened to a podcast just yesterday about the history of highwaymen in this country and this was mentioned in that. 

[gingerjon]

8 hours ago, The Hallucinating Goose said:

Coincidentally I listened to a podcast just yesterday about the history of highwaymen in this country and this was mentioned in that. 

It's sadly not remotely true.

EDIT

https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/one-for-the-roads-scholar/

 

Edited November 28, 2023 by gingerjon

[The Hallucinating Goose]

1 hour ago, gingerjon said:

It's sadly not remotely true.

EDIT

https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/one-for-the-roads-scholar/

 

That's very interesting. I believe this is similar to the origins of the idea that humans eat a number of spiders in the night throughout the year. Again it is not true at all and was simply something someone made up and posted on the Internet in the early days of the Internet to demonstrate how quickly information could travel on it. 

I will say as well that the podcast I listened to was 'a short history of highwaymen' on BBC sounds. Its reassuring to know that the BBC thoroughly research their facts before offering them up to the public. Of course we know their ###### poor (proves I read the article ) record on this from how much rubbish they put across in QI. 

Edited November 28, 2023 by The Hallucinating Goose