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I am from a small country in Europe. When I first read the article I was confused. A clarification for people who do not have English as a first language: "give
by NarcisMirandes 3y ago
I am from a small country in Europe. When I first read the article I was confused. A clarification for people who do not have English as a first language: "give a shit" about something, it means they care deeply or are genuinely interested in that particular thing.
So, in essence, "giving a shit" in this context means being highly dedicated, passionate, and attentive to the details, which often leads to a better outcome and a more satisfying experience for the customer
- qwertox 3y ago> It was because they gave a shit. I did stop reading there. I was 100% convinced that this meant that they couldn't care less about what they were doing, yet their homepage seemed to indicate that they'd give a lot of dedication to detail. In German "drauf scheißen" (to shit on something) means to not care at all about a given thing.
- nmstoker 3y agoYou are misreading how this phrase is used! It means they do care. If they didn't give a shit that would mean they didn't care and this is the opposite.
- sambeau 3y agoIt's not surprising. English has a load of this weirdness. We can, especially in American English, shit on something (normally an idea or plan for some reason) with the same meaning. "I don't mean to shit on your idea out of hand, but…" No doubt it's a direct import from the German.
- arrowsmith 3y agoWe say this in the UK too. Also "to shit all over", e.g. "I didn't go see that movie because I read some reviews that shat all over it."
- sambeau 3y agoI'm from the UK. Maybe I'm older, but I know these phrases as American imports.
- lioeters 3y agoThe phrase exists in English too, "to shit on something". It means to talk bad about something, to criticize, to make it (or someone) look bad. I think "shit" in English is one of the most linguistically flexible words, used in various ways, from very positive ("It's the shit!") to negative ("It's shit") meanings. As another commenter said, the positive meaning of "shit" often seems to be the result of reversing a common phrase. "I don't give a shit" means I don't care at all, not even a shit; and later the opposite phrase started to be used, "I give a shit" to mean I do care about it. It's one of many confusing and illogical things about English.
- projektfu 3y agoAnother one I found funny is we Americans usually say "He thinks he's hot shit" while the Brits say "He thinks he's shit hot." I feel the Brits had it the right way and the Americans oddly reversed it.
- deleted 3y ago[deleted]
- bratwurst3000 3y agoI think “shit” here is synonymous for “a little” or “something”. At least I give you anythin. But honestly shit and fuck can fill any English sentence.
- threethumbs 3y agoGiving a shit means you care. Taking a shit....
- sambeau 3y agoIt's one of those interesting phrases that, I believe, came about from its opposite. "I could not give a shit about that," literally, "I wouldn't even pay one shit to buy that," or similar (no doubt with some mixing up with non-english words), has gradually added people who would give a shit — which only makes sense if they are giving a "shit-ton" of money for it. Showing your enthusiasm for something by handing over a turd is a strange way to show your gratitude. :)
- sambeau 3y agoHere's an interesting discussion on Reddit https://www.reddit.com/r/etymology/comments/2rgl7i/how_did_i_dont_give_a_shit_become_synonymous_with/ https://www.reddit.com/r/etymology/comments/2rgl7i/how_did_i... Further down is the suggestion that "give" in the phrase, means "care". Which it does, in part, but as the way language goes, so many words and phrases have double meanings that merge to make one subtle meaning. "I couldn't give a toss," is a common variant. As is, "I couldn't give a flying fuck." But neither has the positive version in the same way — you don't normally give a toss about something specific, and a flying fuck is never positive. But, interestingly, you can give a toss in general. English, as you have realised, has layers of weirdness and subtle traps.
- arrowsmith 3y ago> "I couldn't give a toss," is a common variant. Not in the US - this is very British.
- mzi 3y agoA finn doing a standup comedy skit about this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=igh9iO5BxBo https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=igh9iO5BxBo
- sambeau 3y agoIt's absolutely perfect. Thanks for posting this. I'd seen it before and was looking for it recently, so it's now safely bookmarked.
- scrollaway 3y agoI had never heard of him until a friend invited me to see him live in Antwerp last week. He of course performed this sketch. Fun seeing it pop up again.
- ProllyInfamous 3y agoThis is highly re-watchable.
- rapnie 3y agoSome good shit. He missed 'turning to shit' and (recently) how that relates to 'enshittification'.
- edrxty 3y agoAlso, holy shit, and the fact that shit gets worse both when it's expanding and reducing in size, ie being a little shit or a huge shit. English is such a weird language...
- alluro2 3y agoI didn't even need to open the link - Ismo is the shit :) I can also highly recommend the one about eating and children in Africa - my favorite :)
- NarcisMirandes 3y ago
- arrowsmith 3y agoThis is why I try to avoid idioms, figures of speech and uncommon words when I'm writing something aimed at software engineers, such tutorials or technical documentation. Most coders aren't native English speakers, and I want my writing as clear as possible. Because I give a shit.
- ProllyInfamous 3y agoMy last W2/work performance review indicated that "ProllyInfamous swears too much in normal interactions." Upon the customary raise and pleasantries, the obvious-acusor sat with arms-folded (upset). Finally she brought up her written words, in public. I responded with one of my favorite [passive aggressive] formal responses: "From now on I won't 'give a shit,' anymore. Instead, I'll start 'giving a hoot'." ---- English is weird. The language of exceptions [similar to chemistry].
- gavinhoward 3y agoThank you for giving me an alternative! I've been searching for one. I hate it when the best version of a phrase has a swear word; I don't blame you for using it.
- ProllyInfamous 3y agoI have found that increasing wordiness while using profanity lessons the stun-factor. For example: "Thank you for at least SEEMING to give a shit about your job." or, "Thank you for giving the impression that you might actually give a shit about this place." Hoot hoot.
- gavinhoward 3y agoLol. Good idea. Unfortunately, I'm one of few people nowadays that just don't swear at all. Yes, I'm peculiar. Oh well.
- 8n4vidtmkvmk 3y agoThe word is "care". Act like you care about the product/client.
- gavinhoward 3y agoI mean, yes, and I use that, but sometimes, a phrase is more punchy.
- bratwurst3000 3y agoHaha german here. I was confused for a second too. I just woke up and wasn’t that awake.
- xtiansimon 3y agoI like reading posts like this, because I’m always hopeful I might learn about other $#!t phrases, such as, “You ain’t shit.” What TF does that even mean? /rant
- ralferoo 3y ago"You're actually quite good."
- guitarbill 3y agoThat is the literal translation/interpretation, "you ain't shit" = "you are not shit". It could mean that, "i expected you to be shit, but you are unexpectedly good", depending on tone/context. But the much more common interpretation "you ain't shit" = "you are less than shit" = "you are worthless/nothing". See also "it don't mean shit".
- CharlesW 3y agoThat would be “You’re the shit”. If you hear “You ain’t shit“, the speaker does not hold you in high regard.
- ralferoo 3y agoMaybe in the US. I've never heard "You ain't shit" used that way myself. Could also be generational, I guess. And for the other one, I've heard "It's the shit" for good (although to me, that's definitely an Americanism that became popular in the UK in the 90s), but never "You're the shit" on its own. But just to show how random this is, "You're the shit who did this!" definitely isn't positive!
- CharlesW 3y ago> I've never heard "You ain't shit" used that way myself. Cool, here's a good example: https://youtu.be/HCm_jfLmBEE https://youtu.be/HCm_jfLmBEE > But just to show how random this is, "You're the shit who did this!" definitely isn't positive! For sure. In my experience, in the U.S. that use is almost always preceded by "little": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nx_giDzTkeg https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nx_giDzTkeg Another variant you may not have heard is "shitass", used a lot in Reservation Dogs: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qYMG0Guy5WI https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qYMG0Guy5WI
- skeeter2020 3y agoI'm most certainly not a prude, but I worked for a company that had literal "Gives a shit" as a core value, and DID live it, but I always found it a little vulgar to say in unknown company, and you've also reinforced it doesn't translate globally. I swear a lot in private circles but would never say "shit" in a public forum; I guess I'm not "edgy"
- robertlagrant 3y agoIt does feel a little like a kid who still thinks it's cool and novel to swear.
- nextlevelwizard 3y agoIt is not even being highly desirable or passionated - just caring. I work daily with people who sling code just for a paycheck, they do not give a shit, just as long as they get paid the end product can be whatever and that really pisses me off
- blauditore 3y agoThe autor deliberately used it to gain more attention with because of the title. It annoys me, not because of the bad language (I do the same), but because of the clickbaitiness.
- deleted 3y ago[deleted]
- idontwantthis 3y agoIt doesn’t mean highly dedicated. It means “caring the smallest amount possible which is more than 0”. Most business interactions are with people who literally do not care at all. Will not consider alternatives, will not give advice, will not tell you you are being silly. In that context, anything better than that is a big deal. You sometimes encounter people who care a lot, but you don’t usually get to compare them with someone who cares only a little. You still get to compare them with the rest who “give zero shits”.