If you have ever used that phrase it is probably for one of two reasons. Either you have said something shocking or offensive and need to recover, or you have said something that you want to hide your true motivations for. Let me give a couple of examples.
Shocking or offensive:
"That guy is so annoying that someone should cut off his favorite body part, burn it, then scatter the ashes on the ground and have a dog pee on it...I'm just sayin'."
You start a statement, take it a little too far, then realize everyone is staring at you with raised eyebrows and nervous smiles. That's when I'm just sayin' comes in handy. Throw out that statement and suddenly all offensiveness is removed from the sentence and eveyone can laugh along with you. Because you wouldn't REALLY do something if you're just sayin'.
Hiding true motivations:
"I know you're married, but we should totally go out...I'm just sayin'."
What you are really trying to say is "I want to go out with you and I could care less about the person you love and have sworn to be faithful to". With I'm just sayin', you have now made the sentence void and ended up contributing exactly nothing to the conversation. It's like using too much toilet paper, you don't seem to care, but then someone else always gets stuck with an empty roll.
I have exposed the truth. So to all you users of that phrase out there, we're not going to fall for it.
I'm just sayin'.
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I scored a copy of "Catching Fire" for free and it came in the mail today.
ReplyDeleteI'm just sayin'.
I love that phrase. However, I don't think I use it that much. I love Graham's usage...pointing out the ability to use it as a nahnahnah tool.
ReplyDeleteI still hate you deep, Graham.
Apparently it can also be used to cover a blatant statement of bragging. Way to go, Graham.
ReplyDeleteHey, would you chill? I was just sayin'!
ReplyDeleteThis phrase is in the same family as, "I really like so-and-so, but..." or "So-and-so is a really nice guy, but..." or it's also like using some foul gestures and then just saying, "Just kidding," as though that wipes away all foul references with just two words.
ReplyDeleteOne question for you, Deb: can you spare a square?
Or the old Wayne's World gem... NOT!
ReplyDeleteAmen to that , Kirk. "Oh, you're a nice guy, but..." But WHAT? You only date a-holes, THAT'S what. Maybe if I had tons of money and took women for granted I'd be in a serious relationship by now. I'm just sayin'.
ReplyDeleteHang in there Graham. There are a lot of good women out there too!
ReplyDelete