Why did people start qualifying statements with the word "arguably"?
I had always heard it as “unarguably.”
The first time I heard it it was from my daughter several years ago. We had the family over for dinner and my daughter said,“Rick arguably makes the best fried chicken ever!”
Reading an article on Stone’s indictment, there was a sideline that read, “Judge delays sentencing Flynn after rebuke: ‘Arguably, you sold your country out!’ ”
Isn’t that redundant? I mean, you can argue ANYTHING so why stick that word in? It also seems to weaken the person’s position.
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11 Answers
It is one of those words that seems to have been picked up from TV pundits.
“Unarguably” has never been common usage in my experience.
The supposition of “arguably” is that it an absolute determination cannot be made, but that a strong case can be made for one argument or another. When commentator on TV says it, they mean, ” a case can be made, but I am not necessarily making it.”
Your daughter was complimenting Rick’s chicken, but was open to the possibility that Bob’s chicken down the road was just a bit better.
If it is, we never found it @zenvelo! He really does make good fried chicken. I think one of his secrets is that in addition to dredging in flour he also dredges it in crushed up saltines.
I guess I’m wondering why one even use it. To me, there IS no arguing. Flynn sold his country out.
@Dutchess_III You saying there is no arguing sounds like someone saying water isn’t wet! :-)
Arguably = “the argument can be made…”
Example: ”Pet Sounds, by the Beach Boys, is arguably the greatest pop album ever made.”
It’s not an absolute, declarative statement, but the speaker feels that a person would not be amiss in holding that opinion.
Arguably, it’s been used for awhile.
@Dutchess_III If you substitute “one could argue that”, does it seem less objectionable?
It would be the same thing. Redundant, because one can argue anything. Are they giving them permission to argue? Are they asking for people to argue with them?
Arguably, this is the argument clinic.
I could care less that some people don’t know what words mean.
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