ABSTRACT
According to Witt, there are certain words (‘flag’ words) that, when used in conversation, are a pretty reliable sign that the speaker does not mean what he or she is saying. The words are as follows:
‘of course’, ‘naturally’, ‘no doubt’ – used when the speaker thinks that something is highly unlikely. For example, ‘Naturally we will consider giving you a rise in six months’ time’;
‘by the way’, ‘incidentally’ – used when the speaker wants to make something seem less important than it is. For example, ‘By the way, there is a railway line just over the garden wall, but we hardly ever hear anything’;
‘I can’t because. . .’ – used when someone actually can. For example, ‘I can’t set the deadline any later because my boss won’t let me’.
