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Original poster

Aibu to think this doesn't make sense (behind my back)

323 replies

tccat · 14/08/2017 20:50

Having an argument with Dh about this, I say the phrase "behind my back" doesn't make sense because if something was behind your back surely it would be in front of you?
I'm getting more and more irate trying to explain my point and only dogs and dolphins can hear me
Am I right?

OP posts:
DudeHatesHisCarryOut · 14/08/2017 21:24

You are watching the tv. I am standing between you and the screen. I am in front of... your face, your breasts, your knees (and your back)...

Now, I move so that you are between me and the screen. I am now behind your face, your breasts, your knees... and back. All those parts of the body are YOUR body, and I am behind them all.

Any clearer?

lougle · 14/08/2017 21:24

This is painfully hilarious.

April241 · 14/08/2017 21:24

I'm properly laughing here! I love wee things like this. I wonder if there are other funny ways you think!

Anecdoche · 14/08/2017 21:25

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster
tccat · 14/08/2017 21:25

I can understand the meaning of the saying but I don't think it's grammatically correct and it making my teeth itch

OP posts:
notevernotnevernotnohow · 14/08/2017 21:25

It is perfectly correct.

RoseGoldEagle · 14/08/2017 21:25

Behind your back and behind your front are the same thing, they're both just behind you. In the same way you could actually say 'in front of your back' and it would mean the same as behind your back.

Gabilan · 14/08/2017 21:26

How can something behind you be in front of you ffs.

Original poster
tccat · 14/08/2017 21:26

Dude no , you are in front of them

OP posts:
Anecdoche · 14/08/2017 21:27

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Trills · 14/08/2017 21:28

'a plane further away than the dorsal surface'.

@MaidOfStars is correct

Linguistically, one could say that the "back" part is used as an intensifier for the concept of "behind".

It is behind YOU. You know which way "behind" is, relative to a person.
Being behind YOUR BACK emphasises that it is in the direction of your back, not your front. It enhances the feeling that you cannot see what is happening there.
It does not change the meaning of "behind".

April241 · 14/08/2017 21:29

HAHA!

But your back is not a separate thing, your back is part of YOU.

So if someone is standing looking at your spine then they are behind your back, as in the back side (note - not arse although technically correct also) of your body, they're also behind your front (side) because they are behind YOU.

Original poster
tccat · 14/08/2017 21:29

Gabilan, because if you're standing at my back then you're not behind it you are in front of it
I'm crying 😂😂😂😂 I'm aware I sound like a raving lunatic but still think I'm right

OP posts:
thenewaveragebear1983 · 14/08/2017 21:29

This is Moby. He is behind my back.

Aibu to think this doesn't make sense (behind my back)
notevernotnevernotnohow · 14/08/2017 21:30

Gabilan, because if you're standing at my back then you're not behind it you are in front of it

Are you imagining someone standing back to back to you? And you are calling this them being in front of your back?

AnnieAnoniMouse · 14/08/2017 21:30

I don't know how to explain it so you understand. Your poor DH 🤣

Your back is facing the same direction as your face.

If you exited a door you would say the door was behind you.

Your back is part of you, therefore anything the other side of your back is behind you and behind your back.

If you don't get it, don't worry, just accept you are wrong & pour your DH a stiff drink.

Original poster
tccat · 14/08/2017 21:30

I'm going to need heavily medicated shortly before I spontaneously combust

OP posts:
JohnLapsleyParlabane · 14/08/2017 21:31

The 'back' of your back is your skin therefore you are wrong

IloveBanff · 14/08/2017 21:31

YOu seem to be thinking that your back is a separate entity with eyes, so that something behind you is in front of your back. That's so strange.

If you can't grasp it re. back and front how about left and right? If something was to your left, it would also be to the left of your left arm wouldn't it? Something behind you is also behind your back!

guffaux · 14/08/2017 21:31

they are behind you ( and your back)
you (and your back) are in front of them

Confused i fink

Anecdoche · 14/08/2017 21:32

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

AlpacasPackOwls · 14/08/2017 21:33

The front of your back is inside you. You don't have a front all the way around your body! The front of your head is your face. The opposite is the back of your head. It's not the front of the back of your head. Grin

Trills · 14/08/2017 21:34

This is obviously a wind-up, but it's running well. Good job OP, if you like this sort of thing.

MuddlingMackem · 14/08/2017 21:34

Think of it this way. You're driving a car. There is a red car in front of you. It is also in front of your car. It is therefore in front of the bonnet.

There is a blue car behind you. It is behind you. It is behind your car. It is behind the boot of your car. It is behind your back.

You turn your car around but the other two cars stay in the same places. The red car is now behind you. The blue car is now in front of you. In front of / behind are relative to the point of reference, and if the point of reference changes direction so does the terminology. Something can only ever be behind your back because directionally anything behind you is also behind your back.

AnotherQuoll · 14/08/2017 21:34

OP, it took a few minutes but I get you now. What you're saying does make sense. If I stand with my back towards the wall, the wall is in front of my back. The rest of my body is behind my back.

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