• squaresinger@lemmy.world
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    7 hours ago

    Tbh, I hate in much more when people say “quote unquote” before starting their quote.

    It’s like writing ""Here is the quoted text.

    Unquote ends the quote. So “quote unquote” means ""Here’s an empty quote, now let me ramble on about something that is not a quote.

    • Toldry@lemmy.world
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      40 minutes ago

      you’re thinking too much like a computer.

      in human speech, when “quote unquote” is used, it’s typically obvious when the quote ends from the tone and pace of what is said.

      the function of “quote unquote” is to reduce the awkwardness and increase the impact of reciting a quote by obviating the need to state the word “unquote” at the end of a quote.

      compare:

      He ended every speech with quote and carthege must be destroyed unquote

      with

      He ended each speech with quote unquote carthege must be destroyed

      Try saying both out loud. I think you’ll agree that the second form sounds less awkward and more impactful

      • squaresinger@lemmy.world
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        23 minutes ago

        That’s why in most other languages (and that works in english too), if you don’t want to specifically mark the end of your quote, you just say something like “And the he said, I quote, your mom is so fat that she has her own gravitational well.”

        No need or point to put an unnecesary “end quote” marker before the beginning of your quote.

    • despoticruin@lemmy.zip
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      1 hour ago

      That’s the point though, quote to tell people it’s a quote and unquote to signal that you are using it out of context or sarcastically, thus not quoting the original sentiment. It’s correct.

    • RebekahWSD@lemmy.world
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      55 minutes ago

      I’ve heard some people use it when they don’t have the rising inflection in their voice that usually denotes a question. I’ve also used and seen it used to mean dubious claim as the other poster mentioned! Not very commonly though.

    • 1D10@lemmy.world
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      9 hours ago

      I use it as a way to say I’m pretty sure the thing I said is true but I have doubt.

      " the glasses are only cosmetic, question mark"

      Also turns out I’m pretty sure the devs patched the glasses,and they now negatively effect aim.

  • SPRUNT@lemmy.world
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    11 hours ago

    Thought it was gonna be about when phone dictation bleeds into the real world.

  • techt@lemmy.world
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    9 hours ago

    My favorite thing about this is the explainxkcd page keeps it going by also spelling out all punctuation