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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:
melj1213 · 14/08/2017 23:25

I'd love the OP to be arrested because I'd be intrigued to see how she manages to put her hands behind her back when the officers try to handcuff her ...

GreenFingersWouldBeHandy · 14/08/2017 23:31

This is making me laugh.

OK.

Someone can be behind you, right?

So if they are behind you with your back turned, they are behind your back.

I honestly don't know how else to explain it?

MargotLovedTom1 · 14/08/2017 23:34

Oh. My. God.

If someone said "Put your hands behind your head" you would know what do do. You wouldn't say "Actually, it should be 'Put your hands in front of the back of your head.'"

So put your hands behind your back. Anyone standing behind you looking at your hands (and whispering horrible things about you) is talking behind your back.

AlpacaLipsNow · 14/08/2017 23:34

Maybe think of it this way; the front of your back is your innards and body and the back of your back is skin. That would mean your back faces forwards like you do so behind your back is correct.

I never thought I'd have to write or even think of such a weird couple of sentences.

Consideringbeingamom · 14/08/2017 23:41

Panto quote-it's behind you!!!

Anecdoche · 14/08/2017 23:44

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

sixinthebedandthelittleonesaid · 14/08/2017 23:48

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

WhereWhyWhat · 14/08/2017 23:50

The phrase for when referring to something that is physically located behind you is:

"Behind me."

The phrase is not "behind my back".

The phrase "behind my back" refers to a situation when a person or persons have done something without your approval; they went "behind your back" and performed some act.

Where is my coat?

It's behind me!

Now it's on, where is it now?

It's ON my back!

It's not BEHIND my back. No, in fact it's IN FRONT of my back.

I'll get my coat...

GammaDelta · 14/08/2017 23:58

Your poor DH.

Didactylos · 15/08/2017 00:23

A man will be imprisoned in a room with a door that's unlocked and opens inwards; as long as it does not occur to him to pull rather than push.

For what its worth:

This is a basic video explaining anatomical descriptive language and directions
its used to help orient knowlege of anatomy eg you can describe organs and structures in relation to each other eg as ventral to the spine (eg the aorta is ventral or anterior when compared to the spine, its closer to the front of your body)
but your back is part of the dorsal surface of your body. Anything behind your back eg the wall, chair etc must be further in the dorsal direction. Anything in front of your back is not 'behind' your back, it is more ventral, or forward facing.

I think you are mixing up the anatomic issue of it being a structure 'your back' with the idea of direction

This is the reason why the anatomic terms and directions explanined in the video are used. Very often the words used in (in English) mean so many differing things that its very difficult to describe things and their relationships precisely and clearly when you need to, as the various idiosyncratic interpretations here show.

Back is a great example of it
eg as a noun its specifically the rear surface of the torso (but not the legs, head, buttocks) although people refer to all of this as the back of their body (or back side, which also has a double meaning)
or it can mean the posterior part of something, from the point of view of an observer
but it can be a verb - eg to 'back someone' or support them, to move backwards (he backed into a corner)
or an adverb meaning the past (back in 1953) or the idea of return (I will get back to you) or move to an earlier state (they tidied everything back to its cupboard)and can be used to refer to relative positions eg 'the house backs onto our garden'

Next challenge! Can you now or have you ever been able to clearly differentiate your gluteal region from your olecranon?

TheStoic · 15/08/2017 01:23

I cannot believe what I am reading.

My back is in front of them, therefore they are not behind my back they are in front of it

So your back is in front of them, yet they are simultaneously in front of it? Surely you can see that is not possible?

Are you thinking of your back as like a mirror, or something? Or a window? Two things facing each other? The clue is in the word 'facing'. Your back is not facing them.

toffee1000 · 15/08/2017 02:02

What the actual fuck have I just read?? HmmConfused

ForagingForFaerieGold · 15/08/2017 03:25

Anyone else reading this finding that the word "back" has now lost all meaning?

Also OP, Any thoughts on the meaning of the phrase "Back of beyond"?

Stirs pot and legs it Grin

catsarenice · 15/08/2017 03:40

So do you also think that if something is 'in front of your face' it's actually behind you? Confused

counterpoint · 15/08/2017 04:01

Your heart is in front of your back. Skin and space are behind (rear to) your back.

Comedyboobs · 15/08/2017 04:18

It's a case of 'back to front' thinking, easily unboggled by bedrest.

MrsOverTheRoad · 15/08/2017 05:00

If they stood behind you, they'd only be in front of your back if your back had eyes...

3luckystars · 15/08/2017 05:09

You are 100% wrong.

Devonishome1 · 15/08/2017 05:13

Really?! That's funny! I can't get you're way of thinking but it certainly made me think but I'm with your hubby on this one. Good luck op😀

hana32 · 15/08/2017 05:17

You are wrong!

But I'm trying really hard to understand you. It's like you think of your back as it's own entity which faces a different direction to you? So if you're standing facing (with your face) forwards, you think your back is facing backwards. Therefore on that logic you think that to be behind your back means in front of you - yes?

Realise your face, every other physical part, and your back are all part of the same person! Your back doesn't face backwards. YOU (every part of you, the whole entity) faces forwards. Therefore behind your back is exactly that, behind you. Not in front.

Cring · 15/08/2017 06:00

The reason you can't understand it is because you need to get that your front and back are "facing" the same way. You are imagining your back is forwards for some reason! Are you being deliberately obtuse?

NewPapaGuinea · 15/08/2017 06:04

Another one, backside. Your bum isn't on the side of your back so explain that one! 😬

SunshineLollipopsRainbows25 · 15/08/2017 06:17

I get what you mean, you're saying if someone is going to use the term "behind my back" that they must physically be in the same area/room as you when people use this term of phrase they could be anywhere in the world but doing something "behind your back". Basically means though that someone is doing something to you or without you, without telling you.

catsarenice · 15/08/2017 06:37

@SunshineLollipopsRainbows25 op understands the phrase - she is saying that grammatically and literally it doesn't make sense. (But it does!)

mummmy2017 · 15/08/2017 06:38

Behind the wall...
Behind the tree..
Behind the back... whose back,,, Hence behind MY back.

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