I was watching some show where the questioner prefaced his statement with the phrase "with all due respect," and then slammed the guy. I have never heard this phrase preface a statement that evinced any respect. I don’t see why people say it, because it’s such a cliché it doesn’t palliate anymore. There are words, called autoantonyms, that mean both themselves and their opposite, such as moot, which can mean debatable or irrelevant (others include: literally, weather, fine, fast). But then there are phrases that only mean their opposite. Here’s a list, perhaps you have others:
- I don't want to tell you what to do – I love telling you what to do
- Of course it's none of my business, but – It should be my business
- I hate to say this – I love saying this
- This won’t hurt a bit – this will hurt a lot
- It’s not about the money – it’s about the money
- it’s not you, it’s me – it’s you
- I don't mean to be rude, but or No offense, but or Don't take this the wrong way, but - what I’m going to say is rude and offensive and can only be taken this way
- I could care less - I couldn’t care less
- Heads up!- Duck!
- This is just my opinion – but it's God's truth, too
- The fact is or History proves – I will assert without any empirical support
- I didn’t say he was a (racist, anti-semite, liar), but – It is clearly implied
- I’m against Saddam, but or I’m against Castro, but… they are small beans compared to Bushchimphitler
HedgeFundGuy - am 2006-02-23 16:13
Tom (guest) meinte am 23. Feb, 21:44:
It's not quite a phrase, but I've never heard the word "scintillating" used to describe something that was legitimately exciting.
Paul N (guest) meinte am 24. Feb, 06:16:
Funny post - I've often thought the exact same thing. If you find yourself saying one of these things, stop.I find misuse of the word "literally" especially bizarre, and in a way even strangely compelling.
(To be fair, I think "I could care less" is just sarcastic.)
Paul N (guest) meinte am 24. Feb, 06:24:
one more thing...
Whenever someone says "on a scale of 1 to 10", they're nearly certain to give a number outside of that range. Or how when people say "I'm going to give it my 120%" as if that's EVEN MORE than the guy who says "110%"
Coruscation (guest) meinte am 24. Feb, 23:46:
dust
dust (v.) to sprinkle upon (dusted with snow) or to remove dust.
KFX (guest) meinte am 9. Mar, 00:05:
"World famous" is another one. Nobody uses it about people that really are world famous - nobody talks about "world famous Hitler" or "world famous Beethoven", just neverheardofs of various levels.
