(Wednesday Night blog lite)
But before you pounce and shout Duh! consider that the phrase "Common sense" only comes up, and is usually only mentioned, as a way of deriding and belittling someone else; "lacking common sense" is an insult and is a method of making oneself appear superior to someone else.
Lacking common sense implies that the subject-person is somehow lacking the basics.
But I don't believe common sense exists in the first place, except as a cliché (because they always appear true, clichés are essential anytime you'd like to appear wise and thoughtful, while avoiding saying anything new, relevant or worth remembering.)
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"At least that's what they say."
Ever heard someone say, "Well, they say in another hundred years computers will take over the world and start wearing pants" or ""They say dinosaurs had fur and barked like dogs." We use the expression "They say" to imply that we're in tune with the greater knowledge and wisdom of They.
And everybody knows They are experts in everything.
But think about this: the folks you call They are sitting around somewhere advising their friends "They say that ..."
Which means They are talking about You. They, whoever They are, are quoting you and your opinions as their indisputable source. Because They consider you to be an expert on everything.
Uh oh.
No wonder they say the world's in so much trouble.
