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Sometimes people don’t think about what they’re saying. They just repeat a phrase they’ve heard and it gets ingrained in the language.

Because I take things literally most of the time, I’ve noticed that some phrases don’t really mean at face value what they’re intended to mean. Without further ado, I present to you
Phrases that Need Correcting:

It is better to seek forgiveness than ask permission.

Wrong – it is easier to ask forgiveness afterward, but I disagree that it is better. Of course, “better” is subjective. It might be better in the eyes of the asker, not necessarily the askee. But still, it sounds like you think it might be wrong but you’re going to do it anyway.

About half the people use “better” and half use “easier”. If we could just gently steer the “better” people over to the “easier” camp, it might tip the scales to the correct side. Better yet, do the right thing and you won’t need to use this phrase to try to justify your actions.

The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over yet expecting a different result.

No, that is a possible example of insanity, but not the definition of insanity. There are plenty of insane people who don’t do that.

Plus, I work in the software industry. There are plenty of times where something fails only once out of dozens of times. So sometimes we repeat tests over and over, expecting a different result. And you know what? We do get a different result.

Whatever doesn’t kill you will only make you stronger

Stuff and nonsense. It is entirely possible that something will make you weaker. And it is possible that something will leave you unchanged – you are neither stronger nor killed.

The problem with this phrase is that no timeline is given. Eventually, the person will die and then the other person can see “See?” The other problem with this phrase is that it reminds me of antibiotics.

I know this saying is just intended to provide motivation. I doubt it was meant to convey truth. But the problem is that people keep repeating it. And if you repeat something often enough, people will believe it.

Say it with me: if you repeat something often enough, people will believe it.

Again.

You got it now? Okay. Good.

Umm…now where was I? Oh yes, don’t believe this phrase.

Don’t knock it until you’ve tried it.

Really?

Really?!?!

Have you ever actually thought about what you’re saying there?

My standard response to that is “I’ve heard it’s fun being run over by a semi truck.”

Their response: “That’s ridiculous.”

My response back: “No, you’re supposed to try it first before you say that.”

Of course you should try new things when possible. But that doesn’t mean you can’t evaluate something based on second-hand information. You can extrapolate some experiences into others. Your mind was meant to handle that task.

How’d you sleep?

My standard answer: “Like this!” (while I tilt my head to one side, close my eyes, and pretend to snore. Because that is how I slept.)

I think it should be “How well did you sleep?”