Something I've wanted to know for a while now...

[neonerd]

What does it mean when people say "per se", and what's the correct way to use it in a sentence?

i don't entirely understand the dictionary meaning

 

[notfred]

It doesn't mean "exactly" per se, but it's pretty close.

 

[HappyPuppy]

Only pseudo intellecuals lacking a grip on the English language ever utter that phrase. Don't worry, they don't know what means, either.

 

[StageLeft]

It means something like "by the book" or "quinesential". For instance "He's not an a-hole per se, but he's at least a jerk."

 

[vi edit]

This isn't a good thread per se, but it's better than what you've posted over the last few days.

 

[ActuaryTm]

Directly from Latin. Essentially means "itself", or "by itself".

Quidquid latine dictum sit, altum viditur.

 

[neonerd]

Originally posted by: vi_edit
This isn't a good thread per se, but it's better than what you've posted over the last few days.

ah, now i understand

thx

 

[Mo0o]

http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=per%20se

I use it as i would "literally speaking"

 

[Pepsi90919]

it's a redundant piece of crap that replaces (or precedes) a comma

 

[oboeguy]

Persay?

(one of those spelling pet peeves, I guess)