How did this phrase come about? how about ITS COMMON, wow that was hard to say? no, lets screw over people that are learning our language with that brain twister. its not unlike me to do that. i do not unlike you! Its not uncommon for no one to like anyone. Did you do something? Yes I didnt do nothing! Im glad we are taking this step backward in our language. Im sorry people but its common. You dont think its common? oh you think its not uncommon eh? its not unlike you to say its common? or is it like you to say its not uncommon for you to say common? are you lost? Im not unglad.
2007-01-01 16:26:24 · 6 answers · asked by xeraphile 3 in Society & Culture ➔ Languages
This form of expression is *nothing new*!! (so it is certainly not a recent 'step backward' in language). And it is hardly unique to English
It is a rhetorical device called "litotes" in which understatement for emphasis, irony, etc, and does so in a way thatis often MORE forceful than simply saying "it was X". Look at expressions like "it was no small task!"/ "it was no mean feat". At the very least it draws special attention to the statement in a way that a simple affirmation may not.
So the example you give, if used as a litotes, would be MORE emphatic than "common". And the expression "not unlike him" can actually make the hearer stop to notice just how very TYPICAL the behavior was for him.
On the other hand, in colloquial English we now sometimes use this type of construction to express ANOTHER idea, that of ambivalence or mediocrity. Thus "not UN-fair" (esp if spoken that way) may be used to admit that something is technically fair, without being willing to categorically argue that it was fair. "Not bad" (or "not TOO bad") may be used of something that is not particularly good OR bad, often to avoid being highly critical.
(This is different from the expression "Not bad!!" used as a conventional litotes. Vocal inflection and context should make clear what sense the speaker intends.)
Check the following for a more precise definition and examples of litotes:
http://www.sil.org/linguistics/glossaryoflinguisticterms/WhatIsLitotes.htm
http://www.bartleby.com/68/91/3691.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Litotes
2007-01-01 20:12:15 · answer #1 · answered by bruhaha 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
there is a subtle difference in meaning between Common, and Not Uncommon.
"The Robin is common in the midwest" means the bird is all over the place.
"The Robin is not uncommon in Texas" means that you'll see them if you look for them.
2007-01-02 00:31:29 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 1⤋
Hahahaha.
Thats not unEnglish
2007-01-02 00:29:28 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
that would be too simple!
2007-01-02 00:28:18 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
I do!
2007-01-02 00:44:10 · answer #5 · answered by rimi j 2 · 0⤊ 2⤋
? wtf?
2007-01-02 05:15:09 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋