Semantics

[Dark]

(I'm bored and have not posted here in ages, so why the hell not? Don't actually answer that.)

 

I posed an interesting question to my friend today:

 

"My car is the same as your car."

"Your car is the same as my car."

"Our cars are the same."

 

The three mean the same thing, but are there any situations in which you might favor one over the other? When have you ever been cognizant of which one you're using?

I DON'T KNOW HOW SPOILERS WORK ANYMORE SO I'M JUST GOING TO USE CAPITALIZED, EMBOLDENED LETTERS TO TELL YOU THAT THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION SHOULD PROBABLY BE IN A SPOILER SO AS TO NOT BIAS YOUR THOUGHTS ON THE TOPIC.

 

We came to the conclusion that the first gives off the connotation of being polite - saying that something of mine is like something of yours; the second gives off the connotation of being accusatory - saying that you picked something like something of mine; and the third is, obviously, neutral.

[вєgσттєη ιηѕαηιту]

"My car is the same as your car" Claims possession. If you wanted to just focus on your own car.

 

"Your car is the same as my car" Comes across as almost jealous.

 

"Our cars are the same" is very neutral.

 

It depends on the emotion you are creating. I usually phrase it subconsciously based on the mood of the conversation.

[Aix]

Save your breath and say "Our cars are the same."

[Lonk]

Option three is my preferred method of cognization.  I'm a passive person, and I try not to start anything at any cost unless if I am forced into a situation in where I have to go onto the offensive.

[Dad]

I prefer option one.  Whether it be out of humbleness or kindness, it just seems easier,  Until you start trashing my shit.  Then I'll beat you to death with the break pads.  Then it becomes, "my car is a weapon and you are the intended target."

[Tentacruel]

Looking at the options I can see myself saying all three in conversation. 

[-Spider]

I probably wouldn't favour one over the other. 

[Mystery Agent]

I'd pick the third option. Easier to say and I dislike bias in any direction. But eventually I could use the others too.

[~ P O L A R I S ~]

It's jarring to think of someone looking at this sort of question as a light, conversational point of curiosity knowing the poet's torturous fervor to extract from any dimension that might house strength of feeling. 

[Dad]

It's jarring to think of someone looking at this sort of question as a light, conversational point of curiosity knowing the poet's torturous fervor to extract from any dimension that might house strength of feeling. 

 

. . . .

Behave yourself sir.  You're making a lot of people here look silly.  Even if it is funny.