Far Be It for/from Me to…
💬 Definition: A disclaimer, often quite false. It means “I would not dream of doing/saying [something], but I really would.”
🔖 Synonyms:
- Perish the thought
- Heaven forbid
- Not in a million years (yeah, right)
- As if I would…
❓ Antonyms:
- Just between us
- Truth be told
- No disclaimer here
Fun Quotes:
📜 “Far be it from me to judge, but here I am, judging anyway.” - Anonymous
🧠 “Far be it from me to criticize your cooking, but were you trying to make shoe leather stew?” - Waggish Witman
Related Proverbs & Expressions:
- Don’t throw stones if you live in a glass house: Don’t criticize others when you have faults of your own.
- Pot calling the kettle black: Accusing someone of something you yourself are guilty of.
- Those who live in brick houses shouldn’t play baseball indoors: Similar sentiment with a sporty twist!
In Literature, Songs, and Movies:
Literature:
- Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen: An array of polite criticisms masked in decorum.
- The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger: Holden Caulfield’s salient points wrapped in disclaimers.
Movies:
- Mean Girls: Gretchen Wieners’ non-October 3rd remarks follow this pattern.
- The Office (U.S.): Michael Scott’s plethora of veiled criticisms.
Songs:
- “You’re So Vain” by Carly Simon: The ultimate example of indirectly critiquing someone.
### What does "Far be it for/from me to" usually indicate?
- [ ] Sincere intent
- [x] Humorous or ironic disclaimer
- [ ] Declaration of love
- [ ] Formal apology
> **Explanation:** It's often used as a humorous or ironic disclaimer, such as saying you'd never suggest something you are actually hinting at.
### Which of these is a similar expression?
- [ ] Truth be told
- [ ] To be or not to be
- [x] Heaven forbid
- [ ] All for one, and one for all
> **Explanation:** "Heaven forbid" serves as a similar kind of disclaimer, implying you'd never dream of the thing being proposed.
### True or False: "Far be it for/from me to" appears in the Bible (King James Version).
- [x] True
- [ ] False
> **Explanation:** True, it appears in Genesis 44:17 as "God forbid that I should do so."
⭐ Thought-Provoking Farewell:
May your words be as graceful as Wycliffe’s and as tactful and telling as Austen’s. Use your disclaimers wisely, and let your irony be as sharp as Salinger’s wit.
Happy trotting through the tangled vines of language and expression!
