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NL888 Posted 13 years ago
Grammar

Does "Is it me or did he lose a bit of weight" mean "is it me (who loses a bit of weight) or did he..."?

Context:

Overheard at the press room in Jinan, near Bo’s courthouse:
• “Is it me or did he lose a bit of weight?”
• “A good political purge will do that to you.”
• “I like the white shirt. Classic.”
• “Would you call a smile or a grin?”
• “I would say smile. Calling it a smirk goes a bit too far, gets too interpretative.”
• “Would you say he looks beaten and cooperative or rebellious and ready to stick it to them?”
• “I’d say he looks a little sad, to be honest.”
Comments posted on Chinese social media:
• Sibadaboy: “Even standing at defendant’s seat, Bo is looking quite dapper as usual.”
• XinfuQingw: “He looks haggard/weary.”
• BOveYchan: “He’s got a nice hair style and a pure white shirt.”
• LingXiao1: “The policemen beside him look so tall and big.”
• Ceek2011: “Old Bo’s got a nice orchid fingers.” [A reference to his oddly configured fingers]
• Wang Xiaozhai: “Such a dreary/gloomy scene, he’s so pitiful looking.”
  

Top answer

NL888 Is it me, or did he lose a bit of weight? = Is it just my impression that he lost a bit of weight, or is it true that he lost a bit of weight? ~ Am I the only one who believes that he lost a bit of weight?

  • NL888 Is it me, or did he lose a bit of weight?
  • = Is it just my impression that he lost a bit of weight, or is it true that he lost a bit of weight?
  • ~ Am I the only one who believes that he lost a bit of weight?
  • Similarly, It is hot in this room, or is it just me?
  • (or is it just me who believes that it's hot in this room) Is it me, or is this soup too salty?
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1 Answers
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NL888Is it me, or did he lose a bit of weight?
= Is it just my impression that he lost a bit of weight, or is it true that he lost a bit of weight?
~ Am I the only one who believes that he lost a bit of weight?

Similarly,

It is hot in this room, or is it just me? (or is it just me who believes that it's hot in this room)

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