“Great minds think alike” is a common expression, but what does it mean when someone says that? It means that two people are in agreement or have the same idea at the same time. If you read on, you’ll gain a fuller understanding of the origin and meaning of the phrase.
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What Does It Mean by Great Minds Think Alike?
As mentioned earlier, great minds think alike means one person agrees with or approves of someone else’s idea or position. That idea or position doesn’t have to be expressed out loud. For instance, you could observe an action someone takes and like it or plan to take the same action. As you do so, you might say “Great minds think alike!”
Examples of “Great minds think alike”:
- I heard you want pizza for dinner; great minds think alike!
- I told her I have little interest in logic and statistical probability, and she smiled and said, “Great minds think alike.”
- Steve also hates our noisy neighbors; great minds think alike.
- So you’re headed to the swimming hole on this hot day; great minds think alike!
- The librarian has an annoying habit of saying “Great minds think alike” whenever someone agrees with him.
What’s the Origin?
As with many other popular phrases, no one knows exactly when this expression came about.
Some have speculated that it goes back to 1618 and a man named Dadbridgcort Belchier. Supposedly, Belchier wrote the words “Good wits doe jumpe.”
Now, that might not seem to make much sense at first glance. You probably infer that doe is an older spelling of do and not a reference to a female deer. But what about jumpe? How can thoughts leap or jump? Actually, the word has an archaic meaning: coincide.
Others attribute the saying to Confucius, who has had a lot of sayings credited to him, rightly or not.
What’s the Context?
If someone says, “Great minds think alike” to you, is that a good thing? Most of the time, it is. However, you can use it sarcasticallyor as humorous expression as well. Let’s say you observe two people doing the same dubiously wise thing. So you might shake your head or roll your eyes and say, “Great minds think alike.” You obviously don’t truly mean this since you disapprove of what those people are doing.
What About the Rest of the Phrase?
Did you know that there is a second half of the quote? It’s “Great minds think alike, but fools seldom differ.” (If you didn’t, now you do.)
That second part is a way of saying that just because two people agree doesn’t mean they’re right. The intent is often humorous, but it can also be critical or mean-spirited. For instance, you might say it of two people with whom you vehemently disagree.
Another meaning is an implication that unintelligent people don’t think creatively or originally. The idea is that they’re intellectually stagnant.
When and How to Use “Great Minds Think Alike”?
“Great minds think alike” is so common that there really aren’t many situations where saying it would be inappropriate; this phrase is acceptable in both formal and informal situations. You might also have noticed that it doesn’t have to be about something serious. In fact, it often isn’t.
The phrase is common in both spoken and written language.
Final Thoughts
“Great minds think alike” is a way of saying you agree with something someone else says or does. In most cases, it’s positive, but sometimes it’s critical or sarcastic. It’s very similar to “I’m totally with you” or “100%” and other terms like them.
