Saturday, November 19, 2022

I Feel Sorry For You

"Y'know, I actually feel sorry for you/them" never means that.  It's just a way of showing contempt and condescension while getting to look like a really good person yourself.

I can't remember when, and I don't think it was recent, but I have a sense I have used the phrase myself.  Hopefully long, long ago when it still might have meant what it literally does. But stop using it out there.  The jig is up.

3 comments:

james said...

I'm trying to think of the last time I ran across that (not in fiction). It has been a long time.

Anonymous said...

It is the difference between sympathy and pity, that is not well understood.

Thomas Doubting said...

Kinda reminds me of: Well, bless your heart!