Plain and simple

[Lean L]

Why do people on this forum say this? It doesn't make the point inarguable by adding this as it adds zero authority. Just curious. I think this is a case of phrases rubbing off on others.

 

[Red Storm]

It means what they're saying shouldn't be complicated, plain and simple.

 

[Lean L]

It means what they're saying shouldn't be complicated, plain and simple.

In that case it is self evident. I see people using it here as a way of adding authority to their opinions.

 

[sixone]

In that case it is self evident. I see people using it here as a way of adding authority to their opinions.

You're reading too much into it. It simply means that it's plain and simple to the person using that phrase.

 

[SlitheryDee]

It has nothing to do with authority. It's more likely that the poster thinks that someone is over thinking what seems to them to be a simple issue. You are in fact doing that now, by adding the idea of an argument from authority to a term that has nothing to do with it. You need to look at the plain and simple meaning of "plain and simple".

 

[Lean L]

It has nothing to do with authority. It's more likely that the poster thinks that someone is over thinking what seems to them to be a simple issue. You are in fact doing that now, by adding the idea of an argument from authority to a term that has nothing to do with it. You need to look at the plain and simple meaning of "plain and simple".

Yes but only if the issue is actually simple.

I've seen it used like this:

If you do xxx than you are xxx plain and simple.

That is an opinion piece and it's neither plain nor simple.

 

[dud]

Why do people on this forum say this? It doesn't make the point inarguable by adding this as it adds zero authority. Just curious. I think this is a case of phrases rubbing off on others.

I am a person and I've never said this and I've never seen anyone else say this. Things tend to be over-complicated and we tend to get verbose. I would think that this phrase would be used to address these issues.

 

[DaveSimmons]

If you like Justin Bieber then you are lacking in musical taste, plain and simple.

 

[SlitheryDee]

Yes but only if the issue is actually simple.

I've seen it used like this:



That is an opinion piece and it's neither plain or simple.

Well their opinion is at least very simple. They've distilled the requirement for being labeled something down to a single variable. Now whether what they say is factually true or not is another matter.

 

[DaveSimmons]

If you're lacking in both intelligence and looks, you're plain and simple.

 

[Lean L]

Well their opinion is at least very simple. They've distilled the requirement for being labeled something down to a single variable. Now whether what they say is factually true or not is another matter.

I can somewhat see that. I guess I'm still overthinking it. The phrase seems like a logical fallacy either way I look at it. Chalking it up to an AT anomaly.

edit: people are using the idiom pure and simple. See the link about example usage. Seems to me like the idiom used on most opinions is a misuse.

http://idioms.thefreedictionary.com/Plain+and+Simple

 

[xochi]

When I was young I used to tie an onion to my belt, which of course was the style of the time. Oh did they have styles in those days, they were both plain and simple.

 

[Dirigible]

If you're lacking in both intelligence and looks, you're plain and simple.

Nicely done.

 

[Krazy4Real]

If you're plain and simple then you're plain and simple, plain and simple.

 

[Schfifty Five]

OP, remember, your name used to be iamanidiot, so....yeah.

 

[edro]

The fact of the matter is...

 

[Lean L]

OP, remember, your name used to be iamanidiot, so....yeah.

How exactly do I turn the A/C off in my car? Funny that we're talking about things that are plain and simple eh?

 

[edro]

The reality is...

 

[Puppies04]

In that case it is self evident. I see people using it here as a way of adding authority to their opinions.

I see you starting stupid threads as a way of adding authority to your opinions.

 

[IronWing]

If I want to add authority to my posts I just tag them ex cathedra. It's something anyone can understand.