# Compromise is, indeed, not a four letter word.

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/compromise-is-indeed-not-a-four-letter-word/592390>\
**Category:** In My Humble Opinion\
**Created:** [August 11, 2011, 11:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/compromise-is-indeed-not-a-four-letter-word/592390 "2011-08-11T23:18:25Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Ambivalid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a5b964/32.png) [@Ambivalid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ambivalid)\
**Post date:** [August 11, 2011, 11:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/compromise-is-indeed-not-a-four-letter-word/592390/1 "2011-08-11T23:18:25Z")

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The phrase “compromise is not a four letter word” is confusing to me. Let’s say the “four letter word” being thought of is f_ck. "I’d like to suggest both side come to a f_ck 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

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**Author:** ![Idle\_Thoughts](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/838e76/32.png) [@Idle\_Thoughts](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Idle_Thoughts)\
**Post date:** [August 11, 2011, 11:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/compromise-is-indeed-not-a-four-letter-word/592390/2 "2011-08-11T23:29:03Z")

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Moved to IMHO at the request of the OP.

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**Author:** ![Inner\_Stickler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/inner_stickler/32/318_2.png) [@Inner\_Stickler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inner_Stickler)\
**Post date:** [August 11, 2011, 11:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/compromise-is-indeed-not-a-four-letter-word/592390/3 "2011-08-11T23:29:43Z")

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A bunch of cuss words are four letters long. The saying is pointing out that compromise is not a four letter word and therefore one should not shy away from mentioning it when it would be most beneficial. That’s all. I think you’re thinking too hard.

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**Author:** ![Rigamarole](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/77aa72/32.png) [@Rigamarole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rigamarole)\
**Post date:** [August 12, 2011, 1:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/compromise-is-indeed-not-a-four-letter-word/592390/4 "2011-08-12T01:23:27Z")

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> [@Inner\_Stickler](#):
>
> A bunch of cuss words are four letters long. The saying is pointing out that compromise is not a four letter word and therefore one should not shy away from mentioning it when it would be most beneficial. That’s all. I think you’re thinking too hard.

Yes, a very similar (almost equivalent) way of phrasing it would be “Compromise is not a dirty word.”

That better?