Sayings

Sayings

“Don’t say I didn’t warn you,” Gramps said.

“What would happen if I did?” asked six-year-old David.

“Did what?”

“Say you didn’t warn me?”

“What?”

“You said ‘don’t say I didn’t warn you’, what would happen if I did say it?”

“No, no. That’s not what that means.”

“But that’s what you said...”

“Yes, but... Yes... OK, I did say that but it didn’t mean what it sounded like it meant.”

“Huh?”

“It’s just a saying.”

“Because you said it?”

“No, a saying means something lots of people say, but it doesn’t really mean what the words you say sound like they mean...”

“Huh?”

“Well, you know how lots of people say have a nice day?”

“Yeah. So, they don’t really want you to have a nice day?”

“Bad example... yes they do want you to have a nice day... ah... I can’t think of anything. Just trust me, when somebody says ‘Don’t say I didn’t warn you...’ ah... OK I’m totally confused. Let’s start over!”

“OK! So... what were we talking about?” David asked.

Grampa sighed, “I can’t remember...”