“Don’t assume, you make an ass out of you and me”
Okay, if I assume something and it turns out to be incorrect, I could make an ass out of myself. How, though, do I make an ass out of you?
Don’t know. They had to include the “u” some way.
I think Suraya’s pretty much got it. But maybe… if I tell you what I think without making it clear that it’s an assumption, you’ll think it’s a known truth, and make an ass of yourself by thinking that.
I’d always heard that phrase used in the news business, where management tells a reporter that she shouldn’t assume. Then it becomes fairly obvious who you and me are.
Perhaps if they were to act on the assumption, the “me” in the phrase would make an idiot of himself.
::Scott is taking this too literally::
Client: I’m glad I could fly in for your presentation. I look forward to doing business with you guys.
Collegue 1: Thanks for taking the time. Let’s watch the video we have prepared.
Collegue 1: (psst… collegue 2, where is the vcr?)
Collegue 2: (i assumed we had had one here at the office.)
“Don’t assume, you make an ass out of you and me”
- Just a play on words: assume = ass + u + me
- If you report to me and you make some assumption that results in a big screwup, then you and I can both be in hot water.
Me: “Well that’s what you get when you assume, it makes an ass out of u.”
(pause)
Other dude: “And me.”
Me: “Exactly.”
It served it’s purpose when I was young.
Okay, I’ll ask the question I hoped would be asked when I saw the thread title:
Does anybody know who originally originated* the observation (that when you assume, you make an ass out of u and me)?
*Yes, I know: that’s a redundant redundancy.
It featured in a Benny Hill sketch in the '70s but I have no idea if it goes back further.