2006-12-06 06:53:27 · 11 answers · asked by David E 1 in Education & Reference ➔ Words & Wordplay
I have always hated that phrase. My step-brother would say it. I was all like"yeah, it is the same difference between the two.Simple math."
saying "same thing" is the only way to go.
2006-12-06 06:54:42 · answer #1 · answered by vanman8u 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Not really and that's why, as an English teacher, I don't like it. It means absolutely nothing. It is suppose to represent the phrase or be a substitute for the phrase "the same thing". Of coarse, meaning the same difference would literally mean a change or difference between one or more things as you were relating it or them to the orginal thing or things.
2006-12-06 07:18:45 · answer #2 · answered by ambr95012 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Technically speaking it's not valid; it's simply a slang expression. For an interesting and short discussion of it's history, check this site out.
http://www.randomhouse.com/wotd/index.pperl?date=20010309
2006-12-06 07:00:12 · answer #3 · answered by Blue 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sure it is. Doesn't really make sense when you say it, but all it means is that the result is the same... As opposed to a different result.
It's not really correct, and it does annoy me to hear it... But when I thought about it...
WHATEVER!
2006-12-06 06:55:45 · answer #4 · answered by ♥Saffire♥ 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
it can be.
7-5 = 2
12-10 = 2
those have the same difference, it mathematical terms...
2006-12-06 06:55:45 · answer #5 · answered by Sgt. Pepper 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Not really. It's colloquial. People say "same difference" when they mean "no difference" (between those two options).
2006-12-06 12:16:27 · answer #6 · answered by Oghma Gem 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I hate it too. It's slang and not appropriate for any type of formal communication. It's always struck me as ignorant; similar to things like "I might could do it" or "supposably."
2006-12-06 06:56:44 · answer #7 · answered by Elvis W 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well to me, it is "the same difference" as "six of one...half a dozen of the other" *wink*
2006-12-06 07:01:36 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, its not. If its the same, there would be no difference.....
2006-12-06 06:55:48 · answer #9 · answered by rdncgirl 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, it's an oxymoron.
2006-12-06 06:55:35 · answer #10 · answered by WonderWoman 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋