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a no ser queAn idiom is an expression whose meaning is not readily apparent based on the individual words in the expression. This forum is dedicated to discussing idioms and other sayings. |
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#11
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What do I know ?is (as far as I know) is ¿Qué sé yo? which I suppose
means ¿yo qué sé?
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#12
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I think Alfonso is asking a question about register not about meaning. In a certain way,when you say What do I know? you are metaphorically trying to get rid of the person who asked you or to elude responsibility and depending on context and intonation it might not be too polite.
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"When the first baby laughed for the first time, the laugh broke into a thousand pieces and they all went skipping about, and that was the beginning of fairies." from Peter Pan by J.M.Barrie |
#13
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I agree.......it's as if saying "what do I know" followed by "I'm only the......."
Sometimes when students argue with their teacher the teacher may respond.... "What do I know, I'm only the teacher." Of course, the comment is usually made with sarcasm.
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Elaina All our dreams can come true if we have the courage to pursue them. Walt Disney |
#14
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Thanks a lot you all. It's clear now. I guess what do I know is a common expression as it is qué sé yo, meaning the same, as much semantically as pragmatically (effect on the interlocutor).
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I welcome all corrections to my English. Salu2 desde Madrid, Alfonso |
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