The phrase “compromise is not a four letter word” is confusing to me. Let’s say the “four letter word” being thought of is fck. "I’d like to suggest both side come to a fck over the dispute." Same with sh*t. Damn? “Can we damn and come to an agreement?”
I understand the intention of the phrase but only through hearing it used in context enough times to recognize it’s meaning when hearing it. It’s not a four letter word. Indeed. Neither is it a five letter word, for that matter. Compromise is a ten letter word. How did this strange saying come into being?
Since it’s said in reference to those seemingly unwilling to yield anything in a compromise-discussion, it’s obviously implying those “four-letter words” to be expletives. And there are only a few four letter expletives. So the phrase “Compromise is not a four letter word” is basically saying “Compromise is not a shit”. Or, “Compromise is not a fuck”. Or…you get the idea. :dubious:
This just seems like a very awkward and broken phrase, literally, if not metaphorically. While it has become so engrained in our language that no one confuses it’s meaning, to me, it seems like a mistake that became accepted speech.
*I just realized this went to GQ. Oops. Mods please move to IMHO