The current most overworked phrase must be these words 'To be Honest' - why?

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   sallybeaposted 12 years ago

   The current most overworked phrase must be these words  'To be Honest' - why?

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   xanzacowposted 12 years ago

   I think starting a sentence with these words implies that you are not always honest, but this time you want to be believed, or, you are trying to convince someone of something that is indeed not in all honesty.

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      sallybeaposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      xanazacow, I feel it has been overworked so much that the words no longer imply what they mean.  I think you are perfectly correct in your thinking, Thanks for your comment.

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   peeplesposted 12 years ago

   I say "honestly" a lot. Usually if I am saying it then it implies that I'm being blunt or sound crude instead of giving a politically correct answer. When I say "to be honest" or "honestly" it just means I'm not going to "beat around the bush" with my statement.

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      sallybeaposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      peeples, Interesting!  i can't help thinking that one should be able to express one's feelings without having to justify them with an 'In all honesty' phrase.  Going to train myself not to in future. Ha!
      Thanks you.

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   Aupriann Myersposted 12 years ago

   In my experience It is usually followed by lie, or more commonly a nice let down. It could also be followed by criticism. It is a "go to" phrase, a good way to start a conversation.

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      sallybeaposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Hi Aupriann Myers, Perhaps it was started by Politicians and Bankers!
      I find it is easy to become cynical in life, most unattractive!   As ytsenoh says below 'it is what it is'  Oh dear hope that phrase is not catching.

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   ytsenohposted 12 years ago

   This made me smile because I thought the current overworked phrase was, "It is what it is," a phrase that makes my skin crawl because I hear it everyday.  I usually say after a statement of truth, "just being honest" or "you know it's true."  They could be defined as disclaimers just like anything prefaced with "To be honest..." for what's about to follow.  It's an unnecessary phrase because the general assumption if you're responding to a question is that you will provide an honest response.  For example, a friend comes up to you and says, "Do you think my hair looks awful today?"  If you're a real friend, you'll say, "Well it looks just a little scary," and then you'll both laugh because you know it's true.  If it's somebody who really doesn't care if you're her friend or not, she'll expect you to not be honest so you won't even use the phrase.  You shouldn't have to preface anything with "To be honest" unless sometimes you aren't.  I tag my phrase at the end because people are generally surprised with a truthful response.  The next time your friend asks you if her hair looks awful, just try saying, "well...it is what it is."

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      sallybeaposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      ytsenoh, My sentiments exactly.  You put it in a nutshell.  I could not have said it better myself.  Great response, thank you.

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   Edliraposted 12 years ago

   To be honest , I think it is because people wrongly assume it reinforces their statement, claim, argument, person in question inluded..lol

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      sallybeaposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Lovely!  I met someone recently who repeatedly used the phrase and I realized by the end of the evening that I would never trust him one iota! Thanks for the comment, it is appreciated.

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