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An Interesting American Expression

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May 26th 2012 15:50
Hello guys, recently I was keen on watching Friends VERY much!!! And I have finished watching more than 4 seasons. Today I was confused by a kind of interesting expression, here it goes:

A: see you later.
B: Not if I see you first.

I was told it was a sense of humour by searching the Net. But I can't really understand it well either. So I beg your help, thank you very much~~~

Wish you all guys have a wonderful weekend!
kkangda
Thank you for your correction!
May 26th 2012 16:18
  • Hello guys, recently I was keen on watching Friends VERY much!!!

  • Hello guys. Recently I have been keen on watching Friends a lot!!! // I have been very keen on watching Friends. (The meanings are slightly different.)

 
  • Today I was confused by a kind of interesting expression, here it goes:

  • Today I was confused by a kind of interesting expression. It was:

 
  • I was told it was a sense of humour by searching the Net.

  • I found out that it was a bit of humour by searching the Net.

    Since you said you searched online, I assume that no one told you directly, so "I was told" seems weird.

 
  • But I can't really understand it well either.

  • But I can't really understand it well either.

 
Hmm....it's kind of hard to explain...
I think it's supposed to be funny just because "not if I see you first" isn't a typical response to "see you later."
When someone says "I'll see you later," they don't really mean see - the emphasis is not on just *seeing* the person, it's about meeting them and talking with them. The reply "not if I see you first" is actually about seeing the person with their eyes.
May 26th 2012 17:10 fories
Thanks kkangda, both your correction and explaination help me a lot!!! I also found out another expression just now.It was:
A: I will kiss you.
B: Not if I kiss you first.

Can I say it is totally same with:
A: I will kiss you.
B: No you can't, cause I will kiss you first.

Am I right? lol

Thanks for your help again~~~
May 26th 2012 17:13 fories
Btw, "I have been keen on watching Friends a lot!!! // I have been very keen on watching Friends. (The meanings are slightly different.)"

Could you tell me the difference? Thanks~
May 27th 2012 02:22 kkangda
Yes, it's the same, but only the first phrase is used because it's like a set format of that kind of response.
Btw, I feel like it's Chandler who's saying these things, lol.

"I have been keen on watching Friends a lot!"
- Watching Friends a lot, watching many episodes <-you have been keen on this

"I have been very keen on watching Friends!"
- Watching Friends - you have been very keen on this

It's a very small difference. :P
May 28th 2012 12:39 Ivan
You should watch the show "How I Met Your Mother" :D
May 28th 2012 13:28 fories
haha Thanks Ivan, I will find it online and watch it!~~~
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Hello guys, recently I was keen on watching Friends VERY much!!! And I have finished watching more than 4 seasons. Today I was confused by a kind of interesting expression, here it goes: A: see you later. B: Not if I see you first. I was told it was a sense of humour by searching the Net. But


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