5 Sayings Most People Get Wrong

There are five sayings that too many people are guilty of misquoting. Some of these sayings are said incorrectly so frequently that the wrong versions are gaining more popularity and acceptance than the originals. While language is a changing and evolving thing, unfortunately many of the new versions make little sense. It's a good idea to know the correct ones, so that you aren't caught unprepared in an embarrassing, misquoting situation. So whether you use them, share them, or entirely disregard them, knowing the true sayings never hurt anyone.

I could care less

The first saying on the list is "I could care less."While there are probably a million things you could care less about, the actual saying goes "I couldn't care less."Though the difference in structure is minute, the difference in meaning is vast. There is the possibility of a miscommunication with this one, but more importantly the first just doesn't make sense in the context it's said. You say "I couldn't care less"to imply that the situation is something to which you are thoroughly indifferent. The misquotation intimates quite the opposite.

one in the same

The second offender is saying something is "one in the same"when you actually mean that it's "one and the same."This one is a little confusing. Unlike the first, this faux saying doesn't mean anything at all. What on earth does it mean to be "one in the same?"Perhaps people are attempting to imply that something is a small part of the same whole, but the world will be a happier place if people agree that something is "one and the same"as something else.

nip it in the butt

The third saying is the ever-present "nip it in the butt."Now, obviously biting someone in the posterior would probably halt unwanted behavior, but the actual saying is "nip it in the bud."Nipping something while it's a bud means that it cannot grow into something more offensive. You cut the annoyance before it develops into a much larger problem. Unless you actually want to find the butt of a problem and bite it, perhaps it's a good idea to start saying "bud." Furthermore, it's just more polite to refrain from talking about behinds!

with all intensive purposes

The fourth problem quotations is "with all intensive purposes."The problem with this saying, although it might be possible to have intensive purposes, is that the actual saying is "with all intents and purposes."Granted, intents and purposes are really the same thing and may sound a bit redundant, but intensive purposes is just plain incorrect. Fortunately, if you say the false rendition quickly enough, there are few people who are likely to notice your gaffe. Whether or not your purposes are intensive, it's best to remember the correct version.

you've got another thing coming

The fifth, and most common, misquoted saying is "you've got another thing coming."You've probably never even heard the correct version, but it's "you've got another think coming."If you feel like impressing friends, coworkers, or stranger with your knowledge, feel free to point out to them the entire sayings goes "if that's what you think, you've got another think coming."The true saying really only makes sense in it's entirety. For this reason, many have proposed that the off-shoot "you've got another thing coming,"be recognized as a valid saying in it's own right. People may look at you strangely for using the true saying.

So there you have it. Five sayings have now been clarified, so do with them what you will. You can now go out into the world proclaiming the true statements, secure in your knowledge that the correct words are spilling from your lips. And if someone thinks to correct your strange words, you can proudly point out their own misinformation. So loudly declare that someone has "another think coming"or that you "couldn't care less."Spread your knowledge wisely and use your powers for good.