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I think part of the reasoning behind this type of response is that each response is dealing with a different level of abstraction. > A: Did you see any birds a
by yathern 12y ago
I think part of the reasoning behind this type of response is that each response is dealing with a different level of abstraction.
> A: Did you see any birds at the park?
> B: Yeah, no - I didn't see any.
B is first acknowledging the question and it's intent - as well implying that maybe he did look for birds - which then flows into the fact that 'no' - he did not see any.
This can be done with the 'No, totally' example as well.
> A: I wasn't sure if you'd like to go to the park - do you want to?
> B: No, totally! Definitely want to go.
B is first saying 'No' to the implied "You don't want to go.". B is essentially saying 'The assumption you made was wrong - I do indeed want to go'.
Granted, I made these examples to be easy to dissect, and it's likely that from this pattern, it devolved into common vernacular despite being used in this way. But I think it still holds up for most uses.
- robbyking 12y agoI agree completely. It looks weird in print, but in when spoken it makes much more sense. Another example is "No (I don't disagree with you), I do want to do XYZ."
- matkam 12y agoIn a context where there is an assumption that conversation is a debate, "No, totally" means "no I am not disagreeing with you, you are totally right."
- deleted 12y ago[deleted]
- maxsilver 12y agoYour second example is the one I'm most familiar with. I say stuff like that often. It's got nothing to do with all the article's other reasons -- it's usually just because my mind is racing faster than I can speak. Someone : "I thought you really wanted to use the paintbrush. Did you see the if there were any rollers?" Me (mental response): "No (I didn't want to use the paintbrush). Yes (I did see the rollers) but they looked bad". Me (actually said out loud): "No. Yes, but they looked bad"