not mince words
not mince words (idiom)
/ˌnɑːt ˈmɪns ˈwɜrdz/
Meaning
- Expresses opinions directly and bluntly without softening or sugarcoating them.
- Refers to speaking in a straightforward and unambiguous way, often regardless of whether it might offend or upset someone.
- Highlights the act of being frank or forthright in communication, avoiding polite or evasive language.
Example Sentences
- She does not mince words when critiquing poor performance in her team.
- The journalist is known to not mince words when discussing corruption.
- The CEO does not mince his words when discussing financial results with the board.
- During the debate, he did not mince words, calling out the flaws in the opposing argument.
- They are clearly not mincing words about their dissatisfaction with the service.
- My boss does not mince words when providing feedback, which I appreciate for its clarity.
- She minced no words in describing how the new policy would harm employees.
- He decided to not mince words and told her outright that the project was failing.
Origin and History
This expression has evolved over centuries, with its roots tracing back to various meanings of the word “mince.”
Culinary Origins of ‘Mince’
The term “mince” originally referred to the act of chopping food into small pieces, a usage dating back to the 14th century. For instance, the 1381 culinary text Curye on Inglysch instructs: “Nym onyons & mynce hem smale & fry hem in oyle,” translating to “Pick up some onions and chop them into small pieces and fry them in oil.”
This literal sense of finely cutting food laid the groundwork for the metaphorical use of “mince” in language.
‘Mince’ as Affected Speech or Behavior
By the 16th century, “mince” had also come to describe an affectedly dainty manner of speaking or walking. In the 1562 play Jack Juggler, a character is described: “She minceth, she brideleth, she swimmeth to and fro,” illustrating a delicate and perhaps insincere demeanor.
This connotation of “mince” as a form of affected behavior contributes to the idiom’s implication of avoiding such pretense.
Shakespeare’s Usage
William Shakespeare employed the term “mince” to denote the act of softening or downplaying one’s words. In Henry V, a character declares, “I know no wayes to mince it in loue, but directly to say, I loue you,” emphasizing straightforward speech. Similarly, in Antony & Cleopatra, the line “Speake to me home, Mince not the generall tongue, name Cleopatra as she is call’d in Rome” urges unambiguous communication.
These instances reflect the evolving use of “mince” in the context of speech.
Earliest Recorded Use of ‘Not Mince Words’
The specific phrase “not mince words” appears to have been first recorded in the 19th century. Benjamin Disraeli, in his 1826 novel Vivian Grey, wrote:
“Your Lordship’s heart is very warm in the cause of a party, which, for I will not mince my words, has betrayed you.”
This usage encapsulates the modern meaning of the idiom, indicating a refusal to soften one’s language.
Alternative Theories and Speculations
While the documented evolution of “mince” supports the current understanding of the idiom, some speculative theories suggest alternative origins. One imaginative hypothesis posits that “not mince words” could derive from the practice of minstrels in medieval times, who might have altered their songs (or “minced” their words) to suit different audiences. However, there is no substantial evidence to support this theory. Another conjecture links the phrase to the minced oaths, where swear words are softened; thus, “not mincing words” would mean refraining from such euphemisms. Again, this lacks concrete historical backing.
Synonyms
Variants
- mince no words
- does not mince one’s words
- not mincing words
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