When people are telling a story about themselves, there's this tendency to switch to "you" instead of "I," especially when talking about feelings. As in Q: What went through your mind when you pulled the child from the inferno? A: Well, I never thought about it. You just know that you have to help.
Or Q: Welcome to the Dr. Phil show. Why are you here? A: Well, my husband cheated on me. You just get so angry, and you want to hurt him all the time.
See, I know it looks funny written, but I promise that it is spoken this way all the time. It drives me up the wall, because it seems that no one else notices. Like I'm hearing voices or something.
I thought of something like dissociative language, but is there a word that is specific, or more accurate? Has anyone else noticed this?
2007-11-16 17:24:51 · 4 answers · asked by aggylu 5 in Education & Reference ➔ Words & Wordplay
Jay McInerney actually wrote a book (STORY OF MY LIFE) using the second person singular this way.
I'm more annoyed by people who use "They" as a singular pronoun -- saying things like "If a person comes into the store ask them if they want help." People use it frequently when they don't know or want to give away the sex of someone.
It drives you crazy -- er -- me crazy.
2007-11-16 17:35:06 · answer #1 · answered by Ranto 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I believe it's a form of using the "third person", but I'm not sure and it's too late for me too look it up on Google. (I mean I'm tired, not that there's a time limit.) Kind of like Elmo on Sesame Street -- "Elmo wants his blanket back! Elmo doesn't want to share with Zoey!"
2007-11-17 01:35:42 · answer #2 · answered by Rebeckah 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You (lol get it) are just refering to yourself in the third person.
2007-11-17 01:34:44 · answer #3 · answered by takterest 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
its called "you in general."
2007-11-17 01:28:00 · answer #4 · answered by shmookie414 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋