My friend told me I was good at being cynical, she gave me the definition, andit sounds pretty bad, but she was like well it is a compliment. So without the dictionary sence what does it mean?
2007-12-24 16:59:45 · 9 answers · asked by tangerine 1 in Education & Reference ➔ Words & Wordplay
Most people don't really mean it as a compliment when they call you cynical but, that said, I think being cynical is a good thing in many situations.
To be cynical means that you suspect the worst of people's motives. For example, if someone gives their boss a Christmas present, a cynical person would automatically assume that the person was doing it to try to get a raise or promotion.
2007-12-24 17:15:44 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
Cynical can sometimes be confused with, or aligned with pessimistic, and when taken in that negative sense, it would be considered a generally derogatory term. (example: Joe says"people give a lot of money to the church because they want the others to see how rich they are", to which Joan replies "You are SO Cynical!")
However, cynical can be a positive characterisation from certain views. For example, the American people regard the assertion that Iran is making nuclear weapons with cynicism. That is, cynicism can mean questioning an idea or statement because of a reasonable cause for doubt in its truth.
2007-12-25 02:21:25 · answer #2 · answered by busterwasmycat 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A cynic believes that people act primarily from selfish or other ugly motives. Most cynics consider themselves realists. Diogenes, the founder of the Cynic school of philosphy, went around with a lantern in broad daylight proclaiming that he was looking for an honest man. (According to the Wikipedia article on him, "Detractors have said he was an obnoxious beggar and an offensive grouch.") If your friend thought she was paying you a complement by calling you a cynic, she probably didn't really understand the term.
2007-12-24 18:59:05 · answer #3 · answered by aida 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A cynical person is one who believes all people are selfish or have selfish motives. The word is neither good nor bad. But, I would not like to be thought of as a cynic.
2007-12-25 15:00:53 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have nothing good to say about you posting this question in words and wordplay. Sounds like a question for another category. I can't see anything coming of this question anyway. It might be all good and all, but I just had to say I don't understand nor accept it and never will.
That's cynical, in a sort-of way.
2007-12-24 17:41:54 · answer #5 · answered by Who Knew? 2 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Not cynical, but wise.
Remember, " Once bitten, twice shy."
2007-12-24 17:43:34 · answer #6 · answered by Rose 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hah, well it depends how you see it. But I think its funny to be cynical. In a sense, you are being realistic, but not as optimistic.
*we all know we're gonna die one day, so we might as well live it to the fullest*
*the worlds' gonna end*
stuff like that.
2007-12-24 17:25:44 · answer #7 · answered by i.heart.u 5 · 0⤊ 2⤋
haha...the way you posted this is cute (: but if you have a dark, grim, sense of humor, some people like that. or it could be a sign that your intteligent and you've though things out enough to know there are problems with the world.
2007-12-24 17:08:59 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
No, it's being realistic.
2007-12-24 17:12:26 · answer #9 · answered by Irv S 7 · 4⤊ 0⤋