The phrase, "I can't imagine..."

[soccerdad72]

Is it hyperbole for most people or is it accurate? Just curious.

For example, on the cow thread, that phrase got used a lot by people who couldn't believe that there were people who wouldn't have seen a cow before. It seems to get used a lot lately and I have to wonder if it's really true, because in most circumstances, I can usually understand situations for most things being discussed that is outside of my usual experience.

 

[Mizzoufan]

There are some things I truly can't imagine. Outliving my kids is my biggest one.

 

[soccerdad72]

There are some things I truly can't imagine. Outliving my kids is my biggest one.

While I would prefer to not imagine that, I certainly can imagine it, having known people who have had to bury children.

 

[BrianL]

I believe the statement is hyperbole. Most people can imagine even rather outlandish things. In fact, by even comprehending the initial statement that this is a response to you have sort of already imagined it.

 

[Mizzoufan]

While I would prefer to not imagine that, I certainly can imagine it, having known people who have had to bury children.

I think that imagine losing your child vs knowing someone is much different.

 

[Wendy31]

I think a lot of times when people say, "I can't imagine," what they really mean is "I don't want to imagine..."

When something tragic happens to someone a common response is, "I can't imagine what you're going through..."

When, really, I *can* imagine it - although how I'd react in the circumstances might be different - it's just that I don't want to imagine it because it's too sad.

When, suddenly, you're faced w/ the reality of someone else going through something you fear, you don't want to imagine it happening to you.

In the example of losing a child, I certainly can imagine it because it's one of my biggest fears & I have thought about it - but I don't want to imagine it. I don't want to carry my thoughts out & keep going w/ the "what if" scenario.

Other times, when people say, "I can't imagine," I do think it's hyperbole, & there are really very few things we really can't imagine or fathom.

Our imaginations & what we can conjure in our minds are pretty vast.

 

[powellrj]

I think a lot of times when people say, "I can't imagine," what they really mean is "I don't want to imagine..."

When something tragic happens to someone a common response is, "I can't imagine what you're going through..."

When, really, I *can* imagine it - although how I'd react in the circumstances might be different - it's just that I don't want to imagine it because it's too sad.

When, suddenly, you're faced w/ the reality of someone else going through something you fear, you don't want to imagine it happening to you.

In the example of losing a child, I certainly can imagine it because it's one of my biggest fears & I have thought about it - but I don't want to imagine it. I don't want to carry my thoughts out & keep going w/ the "what if" scenario.

Other times, when people say, "I can't imagine," I do think it's hyperbole, & there are really very few things we really can't imagine or fathom.

Our imaginations & what we can conjure in our minds are pretty vast.

You said it it much better than I did!

 

[tinkerbellandeeyor]

I think I have imagined (sp) everything which adds to my anxiety because I can't imagine protective answers to the problem

 

[BrinkofSunshine]

Well I'm one of the guilty ones who used the phrase in the thread; I'll be honest- I didn't think too deeply about it! Cows just happen to be something I pass by so often, was brought to multiple petting zoos as a kid, it's just something I would assume most Americans would have come in contact with. As soon as someone brought up inner city kids, I realized of course, there are plenty of lives in this country that don't resemble mine.

 

[Kaytie]

I can't imagine [me] living more than a half hour drive to the ocean. I can imagine other people doing it, because so many live in landlocked states or countries, or further than I "need" to be - it's an escape issue.

Probably people who can't imagine something, can't imagine themselves in the situation because, well, it doesn't apply to them.

Now, people who can't believe, on the other hand...

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

Is it hyperbole for most people or is it accurate? Just curious.

For example, on the cow thread, that phrase got used a lot by people who couldn't believe that there were people who wouldn't have seen a cow before. It seems to get used a lot lately and I have to wonder if it's really true, because in most circumstances, I can usually understand situations for most things being discussed that is outside of my usual experience.

Wait there was a cow thread!?

I think it's like a lot of things--we develop over time sayings for things. I think it has a variety of uses too from the very serious to the not very serious.

For example: I can't imagine why someone in my neighborhood would buy a treed lot only to tear down all the trees. But also I can't imagine the type of person that shoots a dog with a shotgun (causing one leg to be amputated) simply because they looked like a pitbull (and that wasn't even what the dog was).

 

[AquamarineSteph]

The older I am, the more I can imagine. Sometimes I wish that I couldn't imagine it.

I can't speak for other people, of course, but I have heard the phrase used in face to face conversation where it was painfully evident that the person saying 'I can't imagine' or an equivalent truly meant what they were saying just by the shocked expression on their face. Part of that might have been denial of a shocking reality, but I've also seen people who said that in response to situations which exist outside their scope of experience as if their everyone's experience is the same.

And my comments are not directed toward the cow thread. That's a general observation based on hearing that phrase in personal conversation, not used on a message board.

 

[Micca]

I imagine it's just a figure of speech.

 

[rastahomie]

The thing I love (and hate) about English is that it's an extremely non-specific language. Much of what you can say can mean entirely different things in different contexts. Similarly, a lot of times we say things we simply don't mean. For example, when your parents come to visit and you ask, "How have you been?", you aren't really asking them for a detailed analysis of all of the ups and downs in their life. It's a platitude.

Same with "I can't imagine..." It's just hyperbole.

 

[L&Lfan]

I always understood English to be one of the most precise languages that exist.

 

[jevs]

I imagine it's just a figure of speech.

I can't imagine that.

 

[rastahomie]

I always understood English to be one of the most precise languages that exist.

You have a mother, a father, and two parents.
You have a brother, a sister, and two siblings.
You have an aunt, an uncle... but what is the word for that relationship that is gender-neutral?

You have a nephew and a niece. What is the word for that relationship that is gender-neutral? Similarly, you have "boy cousins" and "girl cousins," but no gender-specific nouns for either. Whereas Spanish has "primo" and "prima" for the different sexes.

If I said, "The last time I ate sushi..." do I mean "the most recent time" or "the final time"?

If I said "This taco is hot," do I mean "spicy" or "warm"?

You "go to the bathroom," which is a polite euphemism for... what, exactly? Could be #1 or #2. We don't have a general word for getting rid of waste products in the bathroom. So you either have to use a euphemism like "using the restroom" or be specific (going pee") and reveal TMI.

My mother has two kids. We're both adult men, not children. So how can my mother indicate that she has two "kids" that aren't "kids" or "children"? She has two "progeny"? She has two "offspring"? Neither of those terms are specific.

I could go on all day, lol.

 

[goofyernmost]

While I would prefer to not imagine that, I certainly can imagine it, having known people who have had to bury children.

My Aunt had 4 children. The last one passed away just two years ago. She is still alive and is 89 years old. I sincerely cannot imagine how much pain that must be and I don't want to know what it feels like. What a life that woman has had. She is the oldest of 12 children. 7 of them have passed on. She had brothers younger then her own children.

One of hers died, as a baby, in her arms of Cystic Fibrosis, Another also had CF, but died in an accidental vaporizer fire while still a baby. Her eldest died of Liver problems brought on by alcohol consumption and the last one died of a heart attack. Her husband died of Pancreatic Cancer (smoker and heavy drinker) and even had a friend visiting one day that had a heart attack and died in her living room. All died in that house.

She recently fell and is now in rehab, but, heading to a nursing home. One cannot imagine how sweet this lady has always been to everyone. I was born the same day that the first one with CF was born. Since we shared the same birth date, I always felt that she would be upset about my still being around when her son had died. If it bothered her she never mentioned or in any way made me feel odd about it. Every birthday party they had for me must have reminded her of her own son.

The house, built by my Mothers father over a hundred years ago is being sold and I cannot imagine a place more pre-disastered then that one. I guess there are a lot of places where "I cannot imagine" fits in accurately.