Have you ever misheard somebody?
For the longest time my old seminary teacher thought that the primary song said “shalminnow” instead of “by this shall men know ye are my disciples...” He was convinced that The song was referring to the Jesus fish some people plaster to their bumpers.
My brother Austin used to sing “I almost want to be with my own family” instead of “always...”
And I had a long debate with my old roommate about Michael Buble’s hit song “Met you yet.” She was convinced he said “I guess it’s half time-in, and the other half luck.” Like time-out time-in in a football game.
Do any of those mistaken lyrics make any logical sense to anyone but the mistaken?
Of course not.
But that’s what makes them hilarious!! I’m particularly guilty of mis-hearing and mis-reading people.
Just because I speak English with other English speakers doesn’t always mean that we communicate effectively.
From this I’ve gathered a few things about talking with people:
1) ask clarifying questions.
2) think of synonyms
3) account for sarcasm, inside jokes, and cultural differences
4) be good humored & forgiving of misunderstandings
5) it’s only awkward if you allow yourself to feel awkward
6) laugh when you mess up
7) remember that misunderstandings sometimes make for the best stories!
For the longest time my old seminary teacher thought that the primary song said “shalminnow” instead of “by this shall men know ye are my disciples...” He was convinced that The song was referring to the Jesus fish some people plaster to their bumpers.
My brother Austin used to sing “I almost want to be with my own family” instead of “always...”
And I had a long debate with my old roommate about Michael Buble’s hit song “Met you yet.” She was convinced he said “I guess it’s half time-in, and the other half luck.” Like time-out time-in in a football game.
Do any of those mistaken lyrics make any logical sense to anyone but the mistaken?
Of course not.
But that’s what makes them hilarious!! I’m particularly guilty of mis-hearing and mis-reading people.
Just because I speak English with other English speakers doesn’t always mean that we communicate effectively.
From this I’ve gathered a few things about talking with people:
1) ask clarifying questions.
2) think of synonyms
3) account for sarcasm, inside jokes, and cultural differences
4) be good humored & forgiving of misunderstandings
5) it’s only awkward if you allow yourself to feel awkward
6) laugh when you mess up
7) remember that misunderstandings sometimes make for the best stories!
Thanks for teaching me the right lyrics. Ha!
ReplyDeleteHappy to, lol :) and who knows, maybe you and Michael Buble know something the rest of us don't ;)
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