Word Meaning Disputes

Commenters debate the intended or correct meanings of words, phrases, and terminology in posts and discussions, often invoking the quote 'You keep using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means.' from The Princess Bride to highlight semantic misunderstandings.

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Keywords

HN think means means think using word meant means word meaning literally bicycle intended

Sample Comments

carsongross Aug 18, 2012 View on HN

Good. You keep using that word. I do not think that it means what you think it means.

seriouslyjoking Oct 13, 2013 View on HN

You keep using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means.

sneak Dec 27, 2011 View on HN

You keep using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means.

CoastalCoder Dec 7, 2023 View on HN

You keep using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means.

kscaldef Jun 26, 2009 View on HN

You keep using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means.

tutufan Mar 26, 2017 View on HN

You keep using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means.

okintheory Jan 18, 2022 View on HN

That's what I meant, but I see the phrasing is ambiguous...

sidlls Jun 25, 2021 View on HN

It probably doesn’t mean what you think or are trying to imply.

lisper May 21, 2023 View on HN

You keep using this word. I do not think it means what you think it means.

lizardking Dec 15, 2025 View on HN

That's not what they meant