Introduction
Can’t make up your mind? 🤔 Join the club! This tug-of-war in our thought trenches has been a literary roller-coaster from the early sixteenth century to Charles Dickens’ galore!
Definitions and Similar Terms
Definitions:
- In Two Minds: Unable to decide; in doubt.
- On the Fence: Hesitant, undecided about which side to take.
- Of Two Minds: Indecisive, torn between two options.
Similar Terms:
- Sitting on the fence: Unable to decide which of two sides to be on.
- In a quandary: Perplexed and unable to decide.
- Caught between two stools: Unable to discern between two choices, often resulting in a loss between the two.
Synonyms and Antonyms
Synonyms:
- Hesitant
- Uncertain
- Indecisive
- Ambivalent
Antonyms:
- Decisive
- Determined
- Resolute
- Certain
Humorous Quotes
- “I am not indecisive. Unless you want me to be. Maybe.” – Anonymous
- “Indecision may or may not be my problem.” – Jimmy Buffett
Proverbs
- “He who hesitates is lost.”
- “A wise man changes his mind, a fool never will.” - Icelandic Proverb
Literary References
Here’s how some classic literature portrays indecision:
- David Copperfield by Charles Dickens: “I was in twenty minds at once.”
- A Child’s History of England by Charles Dickens: “…was in two minds about fighting or accepting a pardon.”
Suggested Titles:
- “David Copperfield” by Charles Dickens
- “A Child’s History of England” by Charles Dickens
Music and Film
You’ll find foreboding fences and wavering wills in music and film too.
- 🎵 Song: “Should I Stay or Should I Go” by The Clash
- 🎬 Movie: “The Secret Life of Walter Mitty” - A film about a man’s hesitations and adventurous daydreams.
Farewell Thought
Choosing not to decide is still a choice. 🤔 Whether you lean towards twenty minds or two, embrace the beauty of thought’s tango.
Quizzes
### Which phrase is synonymous with 'in two minds'?
- [x] Sitting on the fence
- [ ] Driving on a highway
- [ ] Drowning in pudding
- [ ] Flying with pancakes
> **Explanation:** 'Sitting on the fence' means the same thing as 'in two minds,' both indicating a state of indecision. The others are just whimsical nonsense.
### What does 'in two minds' mean?
- [x] Indecisive
- [ ] Overconfident
- [ ] Exhilarated
- [ ] Fastidious
> **Explanation:** If you're 'in two minds,' you're indecisive and unsure which way to go, stuck in a mental tug-of-war.
### True or False: The phrase 'in two minds' goes back to the early sixteenth century.
- [x] True
- [ ] False
> **Explanation:** True! It even appears in a 1530 writing by Jehan Palsgrave, who said, “I am of dyverse myndes."
