"Tomorrow is another day."

[BigV]

A phrase I've found increasingly common and increasingly maddening is offered in reply to one person in a conversation. Person A says something, and Person B replies:

"Yeah, no. Blah, blah, blah, etc, etc."

What the fuck does "Yes. No." mean in that context? It *seems* to mean ... agreement? I hate it. It's the sign of a stalled mind, not just one that needs a moment to select the right gear, as in "um" or "uh"; that one's stopped. It's the conversational equivalent of the dumbass driver at the front of the line for a red light who thinks that's a good time to fire off a text on his fucking phone. The light turns green. His face and interior is lit from the cool white glow from his phone. Our faces are red from all the brake lights. COME TO CLASS IDIOT!

Ok, ok. I'm ok, I'm feeling better now...

[Lamplighter]

Originally Posted by BigV

A phrase I've found increasingly common and increasingly maddening is offered in reply to one person in a conversation. Person A says something, and Person B replies:

"Yeah, no. Blah, blah, blah, etc, etc."

What the fuck does "Yes. No." mean in that context? It *seems* to mean ... agreement? I hate it. <snip>...

Yeah, I'm feeling the exact same way.

[Spexxvet]

Originally Posted by BigV

A phrase I've found increasingly common and increasingly maddening is offered in reply to one person in a conversation. Person A says something, and Person B replies:

"Yeah, no. Blah, blah, blah, etc, etc."

What the fuck does "Yes. No." mean in that context?

I hate it, too. I think it means "I understand what you're saying, but I disagree with what you are saying".

[sexobon]

Originally Posted by BigV

... "Yeah, no. Blah, blah, blah, etc, etc."

What the fuck does "Yes. No." mean in that context? ...

I see it used two ways, in differing tones of voice, in both cases meaning disagreement:

Yeah, [but] no can be used appreciatively e.g. Yeah (that's a good thought), [but] no (it can't/shouldn't be implemented) followed by an elaboration. In this case the word Yeah is said in contemplation, stretched out to varying degrees indicating relative worthiness of consideration and the word no is said as a gentle let down.

OTOH, Yeah, no ... can be used dismissively e.g. Yeah, (I acknowledge you said that) [but] no (the thought has no merit) only sometimes followed by an elaboration. In this case Yeah is said sarcastically and no is said abruptly in disapproval.

[glatt]

A: "I understand you hate to have six in needles stabbed into your eyes?"

B: "Yeah, no I hate that."

[footfootfoot]

Originally Posted by sexobon

I see it used two ways, in differing tones of voice, in both cases meaning disagreement:

Yeah, [but] no can be used appreciatively e.g. Yeah (that's a good thought), [but] no (it can't/shouldn't be implemented) followed by an elaboration. In this case the word Yeah is said in contemplation, stretched out to varying degrees indicating relative worthiness of consideration and the word no is said as a gentle let down.

OTOH, Yeah, no ... can be used dismissively e.g. Yeah, (I acknowledge you said that) [but] no (the thought has no merit) only sometimes followed by an elaboration. In this case Yeah is said sarcastically and no is said abruptly in disapproval.

Someone paid attention in English Comp.

(Are you) coming to dinner?

(You) didn't study for the English Comp test (did you?)