2006-09-12 04:33:06 · 13 answers · asked by Spadesboffin 3 in Society & Culture ➔ Other - Society & Culture
it sounds like they are tryingt o make themselves seem small.
2006-09-12 04:37:46 · update #1
Maybe they think they're going on sale.
2006-09-12 04:34:43 · answer #1 · answered by bonzo the tap dancing chimp 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It shows the basic desire of every young person, to be a grown up. It is not until they reach adulthood that they have finally "arrived". This milestone is achieved at different ages for different kids. But generally you will notice that the "only" tag starts diminishing around the ages of 16-18. That is when most young people believe they have accrued the the necessary wisdom and experience to be considered "adult". Hope this helped. And BTW I am "only" 38 lol.
2006-09-12 11:39:47 · answer #2 · answered by weazalus 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think that young people put "only" in front of their name most likely because they are used to being talked down to, or doing it because they think the elder they are talking to will think that anyway.
I think that children are made to feel inferior, and teens are told time after time that that with age comes wisdom...i dont know. its factors like that subtle pressure that does it.
Im not reading all deep into it, im not a hippie or activist or anything, ive just experienced the same thing. They are probably expecting the response of "Wow, you are just a kid!" so they automatically add "only" before their age to avoid the elder saying that, or they add "only" so that they ca acknowledge their youngness before anyone else does.
Interesting question!
2006-09-12 11:34:38 · answer #3 · answered by Eternal Sunshine 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I guess it is the way they want you to see them. If it is an older person trying to say that he or she should be able to date younger people they would want to sound young. But if it was a younger person trying to get pitty because they are "only" 15 and are being asked to do something they dont want to.
2006-09-12 11:37:44 · answer #4 · answered by Mar 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because using the word only makes things sound less. Like if you say I only bought one two tops, it sounds less than saying I bought two tops. So it makes them sound younger with the illousion of a word.
2006-09-12 11:36:25 · answer #5 · answered by caseybecker82 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
To justify some stupid action as if age were an excuse to do things they know was wrong.
Sorry I'm a bit cynical today
2006-09-12 11:35:33 · answer #6 · answered by Sparkle 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I DONT when asked my age i say "im 17" or an occasional "i just turned 17" or "im going to be 18 soon"
2006-09-12 11:35:02 · answer #7 · answered by Heat seeking missile 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because they wish they were older for some reason
2006-09-12 11:35:13 · answer #8 · answered by Just me 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
because everyone wants to be 18 or 21. so they can party and get drunk
2006-09-12 11:35:20 · answer #9 · answered by digitaldancer22 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think this way they feel young
2006-09-12 11:34:19 · answer #10 · answered by Luay14 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋