"For whatever it's worth..."

[CapeCodTenor]

What does this mean? Can this phrase be used as kind of an insult, or in a derogatory way? I guess I need to give a little background in order to find out. Last year I did a vocal competition that I bombed on, and I mean I bombed on. It wasn't a case where I could just tell my voice teacher that I didn't do so well, 'cause he and his wife were two of the judges...so he heard me, no getting out of it. Before this competition happened, I had kicked the idea around about jump-starting my singing career. I had gone back and forth with idea in my head weighing all the pros and cons. Day of the competition came and I felt fine, except when I walk out on stage - I got nervous, and couldn’t get myself out of that mode. After the competition, I eventually told him that I didn't want to pursue a professional career in singing, and although he didn't show any outward signs, he was upset I chose that route.

Now fast-forward to today. I sent my voice teacher an email earlier today telling him that I had been listening to opera all day and thinking about the great voice lesson I had last Sunday, and how that brought me back to this competition. So I told him that I was considering re-entering this competition for this year to redeem myself and I know I can. Well, his response was, "Well, CCT, go for it, for whatever it's worth. Life's too short. Carpe Diem (translation: seize the day).” Is the use of that phrase, “for whatever it’s worth” used in a derogatory way here? This is why I hate email…I can’t tell.


Unfortunately I'm leaveing work in about 25 minutes, and I have a two hour commute, so I'll check back and respond as soon as I can. Thanks in advance.

Oh, I forgot to add, he put a at the end of the sentance.

 

[Glinda64]

I always take that phrase to mean something like..."I don't know if it's true or not.." or "I'm not sure this is great advice, but..."

 

[ButchJohnson]

No not at all, you're just being very paranoid. As for getting the jitters, just remember to always look at it as you are enjoying yourself, make it fun, otherwise, no sense in being nervous or doing something that makes you nervous. Singers always sing the best when they are having fun and getting into it, when you start thinking about it too much you are going to bomb.

 

[pearlieq]

I kind of take it as "I know this doesn't solve any big problems, but..." or "I know this isn't very much, given the situation, but..."

Say your friend loses their job, or gets dumped, or something. Saying something like "For what it's worth, I think you're a wonderful person" kind of means that you know you can't really do anything to make it better, but still want them to know it anyways.

 

[missypie]

I think he's saying that he doesn't think you're going to win, but if you want to try, fine. Alternative interpretation: Even if you don't win, it will do you good to enter again, to redeem yourself with a good performance.

Good luck with whatever you decide. I think it's sort of a curse for most people to have a terrific voice. Growing up, you get all these positive strokes, but it's so terribly hard to make a living at it. If you turn on the radio, the people who have "make" it don't necessarily have great (or even good) voices.

 

[lg3]

"For whatever it's worth" is like saying "My opinion is (X), and based on how much you value my opinion ("whatever it is worth to you" that is what I think." Difficult to explain. It is certainly not derogatory. I think he was being very encouraging.

 

[JunieJay]

For whatever its worth = this is my opinion, take it with a grain of salt.

 

[ZipaDeeDooDah]

I think he's saying that he doesn't think you're going to win, but if you want to try, fine. Alternative interpretation: Even if you don't win, it will do you good to enter again, to redeem yourself with a good performance.

I agree with this definition! That was my first thought too.

 

[Chicago526]

I think it's something along the lines of "This might be what you want to hear, or maybe not, but this is what I think".

I always sang the worst infront of only a few people (like at auditions). Put me in front of 1000 people on stage, I'm fine. Put me in a room with three people with clip boards, I shake like a leaf. Go figure.

 

[crcormier]

It could also mean "for whatever HIS OPINION is worth". I think it's a pretty common phrase that people use automatically sometimes. I wouldnt' read too much into it.

I would pay more attention to the "Life's too short" part and not worry about it.

 

[Diva of Dragons]

I agree that it usually means...it's just my opinion and do what you want, but I also think he is saying, you have nothing to lose. He says Carpe Diem....You have no reason NOT to try again and you'd probably regret it if you didn't. In the end, it only matters how you feel about it.

 

[RNMOM]

I don't think it is derogatory at all.

For whatever it's worth = My 2cents worth. The value of that person's statement. I think he is telling you he has no way to assure you it is the right decision but if it were him, he would seize the day (opportunity) and run with it. He would make that decision but it is yours to make.

That is my opinion of his statement, for whatever it's worth.....

 

[RitaZ.]

"For whatever it's worth" is like saying "My opinion is (X), and based on how much you value my opinion ("whatever it is worth to you" that is what I think." Difficult to explain. It is certainly not derogatory. I think he was being very encouraging.

That is how I interpret that phrase.

 

[Blondie]

For whatever its worth = this is my opinion, take it with a grain of salt.

That's exactly how I use it in conversations.

 

[deekaypee]

I think the "for what(ever) it's worth," is generally used to suggest, "This is just one/my opinion." It is sometimes even used in a self-deprecatory way. Rather than being derogatory, it's self-effacing.

The construction here is a bit odd, and I think the way it's phrase does suggest he's uncertain of the uncome. Rather than being insulting to you, though, I think he's acknowledging the unknown variables in the competition--including your reaction to it. He follows up his statement with Carpe Diem, which I took to mean he was encouraging you to compete rather than to let an opportunity you're interested in pursuing (despite last time and continuing anxieties?) pass you by.

 

[chris1gill]

Put in context here, I think he said it in a friendly manner... are you overall friendly? Because to me, sounds friendly & I agree with him Carpe Diem