How is it possible that a fat chance and a slim chance mean the same thing, while a wise man and a wise guy are opposites?
by 
Takei-Shihan
ANSWERS: 3
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You came up with a pretty deep one there. I think I'm stumped for a change. EXCEPT, a wise guy could be a wise man at the same time and just choose that method to express himself.
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Actually, fat chance & slim chance don't mean the same thing. "Fat chance" usually infers "no chance" and "slim chance" infers a "small chance." And "wise men" and "wise guys" are not opposite, just different. The "wise" in wise men refers to wisdom. The "wise" in wise guys refers to personality.
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Some words can take on different meanings by how they are said: "You're a wise guy." is derogratory. "You're a very wise guy" has a different meaning. All languages are like that. When some of the Asian languages use a word it can mean something different depending on how it is used in the sentence and how it is pronounced. That was a good example for the question you asked!!
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