Off The Record for Dummies
What does Off The Record really mean?
Off The Record is an expression that people often use when they want to talk about something in a private and confidential manner. Imagine if you and I were having a little chat by the playground, away from everyone else, and you wanted to tell me something that you didn't want anyone else to know. You might say, "Hey, let's go off the record for a moment." That means you're telling me something important, but you don't want me to share it with others or make it public.
Now, let's break it down a little further. The phrase "off the record" actually comes from the world of journalism. You see, journalists are people who write news stories and report on things happening in the world. Sometimes, when they are talking to someone and gathering information, they might hear something really juicy or interesting that they think people would want to know about. However, the person talking might not want their name or their words to be shared with the public. They might worry that if their words were printed in a newspaper or said on TV, it could cause them some trouble or harm their reputation.
In situations like this, the person being interviewed might say, "Okay, what I'm about to tell you is off the record." By saying that, they are asking the journalist to promise not to use their words in their news story or attribute them as the source of information. It's like they're telling the journalist, "Hey, what I'm about to say is just between you and me. It's not for public consumption."
So, when we use the term "off the record" in everyday conversations, we are essentially asking someone to keep what we're about to say confidential. It's like we're creating a little bubble of trust where our words won't be repeated or shared with others. It's a way of having an open and honest conversation without worrying that our words will come back to haunt us.
To summarize, "off the record" is a phrase we use when we want to speak privately and confidentially, without our words being shared with others. It comes from the world of journalism, where sources ask journalists not to use their words in news stories. It's a way of creating trust and having an open conversation without the fear of our words becoming public.
Now, let's break it down a little further. The phrase "off the record" actually comes from the world of journalism. You see, journalists are people who write news stories and report on things happening in the world. Sometimes, when they are talking to someone and gathering information, they might hear something really juicy or interesting that they think people would want to know about. However, the person talking might not want their name or their words to be shared with the public. They might worry that if their words were printed in a newspaper or said on TV, it could cause them some trouble or harm their reputation.
In situations like this, the person being interviewed might say, "Okay, what I'm about to tell you is off the record." By saying that, they are asking the journalist to promise not to use their words in their news story or attribute them as the source of information. It's like they're telling the journalist, "Hey, what I'm about to say is just between you and me. It's not for public consumption."
So, when we use the term "off the record" in everyday conversations, we are essentially asking someone to keep what we're about to say confidential. It's like we're creating a little bubble of trust where our words won't be repeated or shared with others. It's a way of having an open and honest conversation without worrying that our words will come back to haunt us.
To summarize, "off the record" is a phrase we use when we want to speak privately and confidentially, without our words being shared with others. It comes from the world of journalism, where sources ask journalists not to use their words in news stories. It's a way of creating trust and having an open conversation without the fear of our words becoming public.
Revised and Fact checked by Olivia White on 2023-10-29 13:54:21
Off The Record In a sentece
Learn how to use Off The Record inside a sentece
- When a reporter talks to a politician off the record, it means that what they say will not be published or shared with others.
- If two friends have a private conversation off the record, it means that they don't want anyone else to know what they are saying.
- During a meeting, if someone says something off the record, it means that they want their words to be kept confidential and not part of the official record.
- When a lawyer talks to their client off the record, it means that the conversation is confidential and won't be used against the client in court.
- If a doctor asks personal questions off the record, it means that the information shared will be kept private and will not be included in the patient's medical records.