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The "honest truth"; is it just me?

by Ian Jackson
18 replies
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Why do people say or write "the honest truth"

It's an emphasis that's both incorrect, and unnecessary.

It suggests that there is some type of honesty that isn't truth, and a type of truth that isn't honest :rolleyes:

Bad, but sadly ubiquitous, grammar!
  • Profile picture of the author KimW
    Actually there are many different kinds of truths, and not all are honest...
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    • Profile picture of the author MissTerraK
      Originally Posted by KimW View Post

      Actually there are many different kinds of truths, and not all are honest...
      Exactly!

      Half truths are not honest truths because they're only half honest.

      Does that make them dishonest truths? :confused:

      Terra
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  • Profile picture of the author calculon
    "I could care less" is another one that always bugs. It actually is supposed to mean the same thing, in essence, as "I could not care less". So basically, you cannot take the trouble to say or write the word Not.
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  • Profile picture of the author Halcyon
    Colloquial speech never follows the standard rules of grammar. It's not supposed to but that doesn't mean it's unnecessary. IMHO it's our way of stretching our limited language.

    We all know in reality there are levels of truth.

    Just plain truth, the honest truth, the God's honest truth and the absolute truth. Then there's the I swear on my [insert valuable family member] 's eyes truth.
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    • Profile picture of the author MissTerraK
      Originally Posted by Halcyon View Post

      Colloquial speech never follows the standard rules of grammar. It's not supposed to but that doesn't mean it's unnecessary. IMHO it's our way of stretching our limited language.

      We all know in reality there are levels of truth.

      Just plain truth, the honest truth, the God's honest truth and the absolute truth. Then there's the I swear on my [insert valuable family member] 's eyes truth.
      And we can't forget the whole truth and nothing but the truth, truth.

      Terra
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  • Profile picture of the author Dan Riffle
    I think this calls for a quote from The Big Bang Theory:

    Sheldon: Well, I’ve spent the last three hours in an online debate in the DC Comics Batman chatroom, and I need your help.

    Stuart: Oh yeah. Those guys can be very stubborn. What’s the topic?

    Sheldon: I am asserting, in the event that Batman’s death proves permanent, that original Robin, Dick Grayson, is the logical successor to the Bat Cowl.

    Stuart: Ooh, Sheldon, I’m afraid you couldn’t be more wrong.

    Sheldon: More wrong? Wrong is an absolute state and not subject to gradation.

    Stuart: Of course it is. It’s a little wrong to say a tomato is a vegetable, it’s very wrong to say it’s a suspension bridge.
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    • Profile picture of the author Ian Jackson
      Originally Posted by Dan Riffle View Post

      I think this calls for a quote from The Big Bang Theory:

      Sheldon: Well, I've spent the last three hours in an online debate in the DC Comics Batman chatroom, and I need your help.

      Stuart: Oh yeah. Those guys can be very stubborn. What's the topic?

      Sheldon: I am asserting, in the event that Batman's death proves permanent, that original Robin, Dick Grayson, is the logical successor to the Bat Cowl.

      Stuart: Ooh, Sheldon, I'm afraid you couldn't be more wrong.

      Sheldon: More wrong? Wrong is an absolute state and not subject to gradation.

      Stuart: Of course it is. It's a little wrong to say a tomato is a vegetable, it's very wrong to say it's a suspension bridge.
      What's the difference between wrong and very wrong? :confused:

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      • Profile picture of the author Dan Riffle
        Originally Posted by Ian Jackson View Post

        What's the difference between wrong and very wrong? :confused:
        Example:
        Sleeping with a married woman is wrong.
        Sleeping with your sister is very wrong.
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        Raising a child is akin to knowing you're getting fired in 18 years and having to train your replacement without actively sabotaging them.

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        • Profile picture of the author Christopher Fox
          Originally Posted by Dan Riffle View Post

          Example:
          Sleeping with a married woman is wrong.
          Sleeping with your sister is very wrong.
          That pretty much hits the nail on the head.
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          One man alone can be pretty dumb sometimes, but for real bona fide stupidity, there ain't nothing can beat teamwork.

          - Seldom Seen Smith
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  • Profile picture of the author KimW
    Dan,
    You watch too much tv.
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    • Profile picture of the author Dan Riffle
      Originally Posted by KimW View Post

      Dan,
      You watch too much tv.
      Now, that's the honest truth.
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      Raising a child is akin to knowing you're getting fired in 18 years and having to train your replacement without actively sabotaging them.

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  • Profile picture of the author KimW
    I've always liked this saying:

    "Oh come on, truthfully??"
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  • Profile picture of the author myob
    So what do you say when someone asks, "Do you want the truth?" :confused:
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  • Profile picture of the author KimW
    I usually say,no,lie to me.
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  • Profile picture of the author Dennis Gaskill
    Nothing exists except atoms and empty space; everything else is opinion.
    - Democritus
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    Just when you think you've got it all figured out, someone changes the rules.

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  • Profile picture of the author Jonathan 2.0
    Banned
    Originally Posted by Ian Jackson View Post

    Why do people say or write "the honest truth"
    I think it's just an expression.

    In context: "I'm being honest about the truth"
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    "Each problem has hidden in it an opportunity so powerful that it literally dwarfs the problem. The greatest success stories were created by people who recognized a problem and turned it into an opportunity."―Joseph Sugarman
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  • Profile picture of the author HeySal
    That ain't no jive, man.
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    Sal
    When the Roads and Paths end, learn to guide yourself through the wilderness
    Beyond the Path

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