Bear with me…

[maudelovesharold]

There’s been a spate of posters recently, asking that people ‘bare with’ them. Someone tonight even used the correct spelling and then queried if it should be ‘bare’. No, no…..it should not. It’s never, ever ‘bare’!

I have to say, this is one that I never know which is correct.

What's the logic / reasoning behind it please?

Yep me too I'm afraid, both seem equally wrong...🐻

Have you heard of the command to ‘bear left’ as in move left? I think of it as being part of seafaring lingo but perhaps it’s not. Navigational? Anyway, that’s what I think of when I hear bear with me. As in, stay with me, cut me some slack, be on my side for a moment. Maybe I’m really off piste though!

The ‘bear’ in the phrase ‘bear with me’ means to tolerate, or put up with (e.g. a delay while someone does something). It’s a similar usage to ‘I can’t bear it’. ‘Bare with me’ would only make sense if you were asking someone to get undressed with you!

I know what the phrase means, but I can't see what it has to do with grizzlies or polar bears anymore than getting naked.

It's nothing to do with bears! 😂

Surely you've heard the phrase, "I can't bear it"? The verb "to bear" means to put up with or to endure.

Examples.
The pain is too great. I can't bear it any longer.
Disneyland is great, if you can bear all the queuing involved.
Please bear with me while I take this call. It shouldn't take long.

I always think of weight bearing when using the phrase bear with me. It makes sense to me as both imply pressure/ resistance.

This is making me think of Miranda

Maybe they are 😂

I know I’m probably labouring the point, but I’ve just seen a ‘baring in mind…’ Aargh! You can bare your soul, yes. Any use of the word ‘bare’ indicates revealing, uncovering, making naked….If that doesn’t fit with the context, then it’s ‘bear’! ‘To bear’ can mean to hold or carry (bear in mind, bear a burden, bear arms - if you’re talking about sleeveless items of clothing, then ok, you’ll have bare arms), to put up with or to tolerate (bear with me, I can’t bear it).

Yes, heard the phrase, but that doesn't help me with knowing which way to spell it.

I posted on this thread hoping for some pointers as to how to remember which spelling to use, not to be laughed at.

I thought people using Pedants' corner would like to help people get it right.

How about "the bare naked ladies bear one week since you looked at them"

Any help?

But you didn't ask for a way to help you remember the spelling, you said that you didn't understand what it had to do with polar bears and grizzly bears.

It’s always going to be ‘bear’ unless it’s about getting naked, stripping off, or the metaphorical equivalent - e.g. to bare your soul to someone.

I can’t bear her/him/it.
Just bear with me, while I make a quick call.
I come bearing gifts.
Bear arms - to carry weapons
Bare arms - no sleeves.

Thanks Maude - that is helpful.

🙂 Just thought of another one!

You need to bear in mind that….

🐻<--- bear left

I always remember is as “bear weight” or “bearing down”

bare= naked

bear = physical or mental activity, lifting, enduring etc.

i am enmeshed in US algorithms at the minute and a lot of them seem to think they have the right to naked arms, rather than the right to lift weapons.

My trick for remember is by asking myself “will getting naked help here?”

No = bear.

😄

Thanks @SetPhasersToStunning - that gives me something that will help me remember.