who is 'They' in 'so they say'?

Question

well known saying used every day...but who is They?

Answer 1

You know... them!

Answer 2

The term 'They' has long history in folklore.
'They' being the Upper Class, the Establishment or the State.
The meaning of 'They' changes with the subject matter.
When treacle was impregnated with arsenic and sold as Fly Killers it would be said to anybody that challenge the product that- 'They' would not allow it'.
'They' have encouraged the use of 'They' in order to hide their identity.

Included in this 'They' world are the railways where they have the ability to govern their own land without any interference. Where their own land is any land they choose to purchase under the Railways Act,
The local councils are another 'They' where elected councillors, a mini government, have no more power over the council's running than the National elected Government has over Whitehall, where 'Whitehall' is the collective noun for all State departments.
'They' then, allows the man in the street to pronounce authority is involved and where is no point in resisting it.
In the U.S.A. their 'They' is stated, 'You can't change City Hall'.
The only time 'They' has a reverse role is when 'They' refer to we the citizen.
In the U.K. we had a level of democracy albeit crude under King Harold. When he was politically stabbed in the back and William came to power he organised the power of the State on the French model and it remains the same model today, except the revolution changed theirs somewhat.

So remember when you vote, they the M.P.s are there with the permission of 'They' and that they will always be under the influence of 'They' as long as they are in power.
When you blame Blair, and rightly so since he wanted the job, remember Blair has his own 'They's and so does the Sovereign.
Stone not those tied to the stake, for they are meant to be stoned.
PS Don't get down hearted all the world has a 'They' and our 'They" is better than most.

Answer 3

I feel that "They" are usually quoting the general consensus of a group that has formed their own opinion. That person that refers to "They" is usually trying to sway or form your personal opinion. Some times I just let them go, but when I feel strongly about what they say "They" are saying, I do confront them and ask, "Who are THEY"? The normal reaction is to say they just heard it and they just can't remember where they heard it. Try it the next time it comes up and see what they have to say to you.

The group could be the neighbors. The school your children go to. It is NOT just the silent majority. It could be the French. It could be the kids at the pool. It's about a topic, any topic.

Answer 4

People in general. The respective authorized personnel. The experts.

Answer 5

You need to ask the writers of the television advert series for a certain mortgage provider in the uk theyve been trying to track down they for a coupla years or more now.

Answer 6

"They"
While we talk we generally use that "so he/she say that", .

If the they word is used by the person i guess that represent the one goup. So the "they" word is used. They is used only when on one condition many people appoint their same views. So the subject person can usedthe word "so they say". If person say

"so they say"
it means not only one person but many people are agreed with an issue(whatever).

Answer 7

People in general.

Answer 8

The folks that live down on the corner.....the "They" family:
Bob They, JoAnne They, Little Bob They, Carla They and grandma They.

KaptainK
All That Shopping (.com)

Answer 9

they = refers to a third person view
they = refers to non-gender ie it could be both males and females

so they say = a general view or rumor ect, of a group of people without saying exactly who said it

Answer 10

The silent majority

Answer 11

Them