The Hidden Rules of Conversation

Gricean Maxims are a vital part of how we understand each other: a set of... well, maybe "rules" is a bit strong. They're guidelines that we follow without realising it. And it's the reason that "asbestos-free cereal" sounds suspicious.

Gretchen's book BECAUSE INTERNET, all about the evolution of internet language, is available:

(Those are affiliate links that give a commission to me or Gretchen, depending on country!)

REFERENCES:
Grice, H.P. (1975). "Logic and Conversation," Syntax and Semantics, vol.3 edited by P. Cole and J. Morgan, Academic Press. Reprinted as ch.2 of Grice 1989, 22–40.

(you can find contact details and social links there too)

[TomScottGo]

Please keep all vegan jokes in this thread. Or, preferably, inside your own head.

[lasangthecat]

*Goes to a crime scene for no reason*

"Hey officer, i didn't kill him"

[FreterP]

All this, as with everything having to do with language, has to be learned. I remember calling someone and their kid answered the phone and I asked "Is your dad there?" And they just said "yes" and hung up.

[TheSecondVersion]

Student: "I need a recommendation letter"

Professor: "There's a garage down the road"

[johnchessant]

The 3 unwritten rules of conversation:
1.
2.
3.

[cnceited]

My “not involved in human trafficking” shirt has people asking a lot of questions already answered by the shirt.

[Eri.]

Bruh so this is why I can say “have a good day” but “enjoy the next 24 hours” is suspicious

[Calimbandil]

One of my favourites are:
-Do you need any shaving cream.
-No, I don't like how it tastes.
-You eat shaving cream?
-No, why would I do that if I don't like the taste?

[johnalock]

"I need some milk"
"There's a shop down the street"
"Does it sell milk?"
"No."

[plasmodesmatra]

"I'm out of petrol"
"That's good, it probably wasn't safe to be in it"

[apocalipseleaguepl]

Near my home there is a car wash with a giant banner saying “Using this car wash is 100% legal”. It's been there even before the pandemic. I am so concerned every time I see it.

[eternalsong]

See this is why I get really suspicious when Windows assures me that the OS update has not moved my files. What did you do to my files, Windows?

[Freeman]

Employer: what is your main flaw
Candidate: I correctly interpret the semantics of the questions, but I ignore their essence.
Employer: could you give an example
Candidate: I could

[TylerBird]

“ here’s your drink, I didn’t poison it”

[TheAmazingSpiderPunk]

This reminds me of seeing a giant building in Washington DC called "LEGAL SEAFOOD". I never have been more suspect of the legality of seafood than when I came across that restaurant.

[ristopaasivirta]

It is actually cheaper to add the asbestos to the cereals yourself.

[kamikazesenpai]

As a person who is not a serial killer, I find this video interesting

[itk]

Server: Would you like something to drink?
Customer: What are my options?
Server: Yes and no.

[realnoahsimpson]

Tom Scott has an excellent grasp of English and his videos are regular

[morganeclipse]

Police officer: Walking by.
Me: "I've done nothing wrong."
Officer: ...
Me: Runs.
How to get arrested for not commiting a crime and telling the truth about that.