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Original poster

How do you know that?

31 replies

Summerthing · 31/05/2025 20:38

Has anyone been asked how they know something factual? I mean general knowledge factual, not privileged or specialist information.
Ive been asked this twice in as many months.
The first time I was asked, I wracked my brains trying to remember where I'd learnt it (something to do with gardening).
The second time I said well it was just something I knew (something to do with pop music).
Isn't being asked how you know something quite strange? Or could there be a reason for it?
Two separate, unconnected people by the way.

OP posts:
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Hollowvoice · 31/05/2025 22:31

Sometimes I know because there's a story behind me learning something. Sometimes I just know.

HaddyAbrams · 31/05/2025 22:08

I've found that different people have different "general" knowledge. So something that you know and think everyone else does, might not be as "general" as you think. Therefore other people are surprised that you know.

Either that or you come across as dumb as fuck and they are amazed that you aren't Grin

NeverDropYourMooncup · 31/05/2025 22:07

I've been asked it a few times - sometimes I can remember reading something, seeing it or doing it (generally somewhere off to my right in my memory), sometimes there's a convoluted trail of connections swirling around and above me where it needs to be picked - and sometimes it's just 'there', right in front of me.

Inside my head is actually an external mass of swirling information, images and things to flip through to about eight foot away. Kinda works well sometimes, although I'm pretty sure I look like a complete loon waving my arms about and looking at things that aren't there, trying to retrieve something from down the side of the cognitive sofa cushions.

JaneEyre40 · 31/05/2025 22:06

ButteredRadishes · 31/05/2025 21:55

🤣🤣

Just a OP trying to convince us she's clever and then being not at all clever..

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"an" OP - you're welcome. I'm clever.

MaryBeardsShoes · 31/05/2025 22:05

ButteredRadishes · 31/05/2025 21:52

Wellz, the OP clearly wants us to go "ooooh you're so clever" or whatever.

But, she's clearly dumb as bricks if she doesn't understand why people say it... It's not that deep 🤣🤣🤣

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Ironically “it’s not that deep” is the most fucking stupid phrase in the English language.

JaneEyre40 · 31/05/2025 22:04

ButteredRadishes · 31/05/2025 21:55

It's not that deep. It's just something people say. You might have a funny or interesting story behind it. But it's as complicated as "how are you?" It "isn't it great weather?"

They don't necessarily actually want to know... I can't understand how OP doesn't understand, what with her being ever so clever that people constantly ask her how she knows so much
...

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Why do you keep repeating your slang phrase?

Sherararara · 31/05/2025 21:58

Just say “I drink and I know things”

ElaineAndBarbara · 31/05/2025 21:57

My general knowledge is pretty good and I often get asked how I knew something.

I take it as a compliment.

FancyCatSlave · 31/05/2025 21:56

My 5 year old asks me all the time how I know things, and she does it with a very disbelieving tone. Usually she insists on google verification of my “facts” before she accepts them as truth 🤣

Slatterndisgrace · 31/05/2025 21:56

Could be a stealth brag, to be fair.

ButteredRadishes · 31/05/2025 21:55

JaneEyre40 · 31/05/2025 21:54

If going on Mumsnet to get out your anger at whatever shit is going on in your life makes you happy for a moment, I do feel for you.

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🤣🤣

Just a OP trying to convince us she's clever and then being not at all clever..

ButteredRadishes · 31/05/2025 21:55

JaneEyre40 · 31/05/2025 21:53

There are some dick heads replying to you on here. Some people could be curious and want to find out more about the topic possibly?

Show quote history

It's not that deep. It's just something people say. You might have a funny or interesting story behind it. But it's as complicated as "how are you?" It "isn't it great weather?"

They don't necessarily actually want to know... I can't understand how OP doesn't understand, what with her being ever so clever that people constantly ask her how she knows so much
...

JaneEyre40 · 31/05/2025 21:54

ButteredRadishes · 31/05/2025 21:52

Wellz, the OP clearly wants us to go "ooooh you're so clever" or whatever.

But, she's clearly dumb as bricks if she doesn't understand why people say it... It's not that deep 🤣🤣🤣

Show quote history

If going on Mumsnet to get out your anger at whatever shit is going on in your life makes you happy for a moment, I do feel for you.

JaneEyre40 · 31/05/2025 21:53

Summerthing · 31/05/2025 21:37

No need to shout!
I read it the first time and it still baffles me.

There are some dick heads replying to you on here. Some people could be curious and want to find out more about the topic possibly?

ButteredRadishes · 31/05/2025 21:52

JaneEyre40 · 31/05/2025 21:51

Who spat in your coffee this morning? Jeeezz relax.

Show quote history

Wellz, the OP clearly wants us to go "ooooh you're so clever" or whatever.

But, she's clearly dumb as bricks if she doesn't understand why people say it... It's not that deep 🤣🤣🤣

JaneEyre40 · 31/05/2025 21:51

ButteredRadishes · 31/05/2025 21:38

Well, you obviously don't know as much as you think you do.

It's just something people say.

Show quote history

Who spat in your coffee this morning? Jeeezz relax.

JaneEyre40 · 31/05/2025 21:49

ButteredRadishes · 31/05/2025 20:38

It isn't that deep.

It is to the OP obviously 🙄

CorbyTrouserPress · 31/05/2025 21:47

Summerthing · 31/05/2025 20:49

So why would someone ask me how I know something? I just don't get it?! I'd understand if it was some obscure knowledge or if I'd told them how to fly a plane, but it wasn't anything other than ordinary stuff!

Because you’re so clever compared to other mere mortals?

JockyWilsonsaid · 31/05/2025 21:45

I got the answer in the pub quiz the other week to "On Pigeon Street, there was a character called Long Distance who?" and the team behind wanted to know how I knew. Inflection is everything:
How did you know that?!
How did you know that?
They had a foot in both camps. Cos I'm old was my answer.

ButteredRadishes · 31/05/2025 21:38

Summerthing · 31/05/2025 21:37

No need to shout!
I read it the first time and it still baffles me.

Well, you obviously don't know as much as you think you do.

It's just something people say.

Original poster
Summerthing · 31/05/2025 21:37

No need to shout!
I read it the first time and it still baffles me.

OP posts:
ButteredRadishes · 31/05/2025 21:26

Summerthing · 31/05/2025 20:49

So why would someone ask me how I know something? I just don't get it?! I'd understand if it was some obscure knowledge or if I'd told them how to fly a plane, but it wasn't anything other than ordinary stuff!

Again...ITS NOT THAT DEEP.

it's just a question people ask, sometimes there's an interesting/funny story to it...but usually it's just "lol, I dunno, I just do...I come in handy at quizzes though ha ha"

Sassysoonwins · 31/05/2025 20:52

Sometimes I find grumpy older males ask me that in offices when they feel I should only know things like how to book them a taxi.

Original poster
Summerthing · 31/05/2025 20:49

So why would someone ask me how I know something? I just don't get it?! I'd understand if it was some obscure knowledge or if I'd told them how to fly a plane, but it wasn't anything other than ordinary stuff!

OP posts:
Goldenboysmum · 31/05/2025 20:48

I love quiz shows and surprise myself at some of the stuff i know.

i dont mean multiple choices, that can be a lucky guess but on quick fire rounds. I have no idea how I get some of the questions right but I guess it must be buried in my brain somewhere.

So yes, I sometimes ask myself, how do you know that 😅

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