So-called for Dummies

So-called is a phrase that people use to show that they are talking about something or someone that they might not fully agree with or believe in. It's like when you call a person "so-called expert" in a particular field if you don't really think they are as knowledgeable as they claim. It's almost like using quotation marks around the word or phrase, but instead of physically writing the quotations, we say "so-called" to show that we have some doubts or reservations about it.

Let's say you have a friend named Jake who always says he's the best soccer player in the whole school. But when you watch him play, you can see that he's still learning and not as skilled as some other players. So, you might refer to him as the "so-called best soccer player" in your conversations with other friends. It's kind of like saying, "Well, that's what Jake claims to be, but I'm not fully convinced or sure about it." So, in this case, "so-called" is used to express doubt or challenge someone's claim.

Another way we use "so-called" is when we talk about things or ideas that are commonly known by a particular name but might not actually match the true definition. For example, let's say you hear that there's a so-called "miracle cure" for a common cold that people have been talking about. You may want to use "so-called" before "miracle cure" because you want to convey that this cure might not really be as miraculous as people say it is. You want to show that you're skeptical and questioning the validity of this so-called cure.

Using "so-called" in our language allows us to express our thoughts and opinions without being too direct or confrontational. It's a way to show that we have some doubts or reservations about something or someone without using strong words that might hurt others' feelings. So, the next time you hear someone say "so-called," pay attention to how they use it, and you'll be able to understand their doubts or skepticism about a certain word or phrase they're talking about.