Are you unsure how to explain something perfectly? Maybe you want to give an example, but make sure the listener knows that you are not being literal. If so, the phrase \u201cso to speak\u201d is a great way to get your point across. This post unpacks the meaning and origin of this expression.<\/p>\n
When a person says \u201cso to speak\u201d they are referring to a figurative scenario. It means that what is being said or shown is metaphorical, or meant to closely resemble their actual goal. It is also an uncommon way of giving an explanation when a straightforward description won\u2019t be easily understood. If someone is not being accurate or is unable to be exact, using the phrase \u201cso to speak\u201d will suffice.<\/strong><\/p>\n This turn of phrase is also used to explain a concept to a person or group of people who may not fully understand the original concept. The original use of the term so to speak was used by those who typically spoke High English to refer to low-caste people or forms of English.<\/p>\n \u201cThis information is really only for relatives, but, so to speak, I\u2019ll clue you in\u201d.<\/p>\n \u201cUnfortunately he is not free to do as he wants, his wife acts like his jailer so to speak\u201d.<\/p>\n \u201cA guardian for a minor takes the place of a parent so to speak\u201d.<\/p>\n \u201cThere is, so to speak, an informal agreement regarding how much time we can spend here each year\u201d.<\/p>\n The phrase has been around since the early 1800s. There were earlier variants of the phrase such as so to say and in the vernacular. Over time, the phrase has evolved to \u201cso to speak\u201d, though all iterations of the phrase share the same meaning. The word vernacular was one used by the educated class or the upper class in the 1800s, and most people outside of these classes were unaware of the meaning. Although it was considered high English, it was not formal English, which often led to confusion.<\/p>\n As a result, many in the upper classes would adopt the saying \u201cso to speak\u201d as a way to make themselves understood. It was also a way to preface one's words to inform the listener that an inexact explanation would be forthcoming. In modern days, the phrase has seeped into both regular conversations, and also written text on all levels.<\/p>\nExample Usage<\/h2>\n
Origin<\/h2>\n