--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I thought I explained it to you. Boyd and…" description: "\"“I thought I explained it to you. Boyd and I dug coal together.”\" — Elmore Leonard" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0a1/elmore-leonard-3471_coal_i-thought-i-explained-it-to-you-boyd-and_3133950.jpg" --- # I thought I explained it to you. Boyd and I dug coal… ![“I thought I explained it to you. Boyd and I dug coal together.” quote by Elmore Leonard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0a1/elmore-leonard-3471_coal_i-thought-i-explained-it-to-you-boyd-and_3133950.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0a1/elmore-leonard-3471_coal_i-thought-i-explained-it-to-you-boyd-and_3133950.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0a1/elmore-leonard-3471_coal_i-thought-i-explained-it-to-you-boyd-and_3133950.jpg) > ““I thought I explained it to you. Boyd and I dug coal together.”” [Elmore Leonard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elmore-leonard/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A speaker assumes they have clarified something, but the listener still feels confused, highlighting communication gaps. **In simple terms:** Misunderstanding despite explanation. Key Takeaway Clarify and confirm understanding. Themes communication misunderstanding clarity Mood frustrated reflective Type advice reflective When to use this quote - teamwork - conflict resolution - customer service - teaching Key Concepts interpretation dialogue Questions to Reflect On - Did you check if they truly understood? - How can you ensure clarity? A Different Perspective Assuming comprehension can lead to errors. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Coal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/coal/) [Dug Coal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dug-coal-5554592/) [Explained](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/explained/) [Explained Boyd](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/explained-boyd-5554591/) [Raylan-givens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/raylan-givens-154430/) [Thought Explained](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thought-explained-4565693/) ## Related quotes > [“She wondered what he looked like with his hat off and wondered again if he knew he was funny.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elmore-leonard/she-wondered-what-he-looked-like-with-his-hat-off-and-wondered-again/) [Elmore Leonard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elmore-leonard/) > [“You thinkin bout the time I shot you and you rose from the dead? It only happens once in your life." He turned to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elmore-leonard/you-thinkin-bout-the-time-i-shot-you-and-you-rose-from-the-dead-it/) [Elmore Leonard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elmore-leonard/) > [“I couldn’t tell what I really thought until I explained it aloud to someone and heard what I said.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-walton/i-couldn-t-tell-what-i-really-thought-until-i-explained-it-aloud-to/) [David Walton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-walton/) > [I thought I'd explained it clearly before. Bella, I can't live in a world where you don't exist.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephenie-meyer/i-thought-i-d-explained-it-clearly-before-bella-i-can-t-live-in-a/) [Stephenie Meyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephenie-meyer/) > [When I was young, I had this feeling that there was this handbook that I had never gotten that explained how to be, how…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ze-frank/when-i-was-young-i-had-this-feeling-that-there-was-this-handbook-that/) [Ze Frank](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ze-frank/) > [“...if it's something a single book can explain, it's not worth having explained.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/haruki-murakami/if-it-s-something-a-single-book-can-explain-it-s-not-worth-having/) [Haruki Murakami](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/haruki-murakami/) > [My doctor explained that exercise and diet changes might help and that I also might need a medication.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/della-reese/my-doctor-explained-that-exercise-and-diet-changes-might-help-and/) [Della Reese](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/della-reese/) > [Could it ever be explained, how matter becomes conscious?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ian-mcewan/could-it-ever-be-explained-how-matter-becomes-conscious/) [Ian Mcewan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ian-mcewan/) > [“Having something explained to you does not always solve it.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robin-hobb/having-something-explained-to-you-does-not-always-solve-it/) [Robin Hobb](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robin-hobb/) > [For me, art begins when there is something left that cannot be explained.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/moshe-kupferman/for-me-art-begins-when-there-is-something-left-that-cannot-be/) [Moshe Kupferman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/moshe-kupferman/) > [I think I've explained earlier on in the year that I kind of underestimated how important experience was in this series, especially when you're…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-wheldon/i-think-i-ve-explained-earlier-on-in-the-year-that-i-kind-of/) [Dan Wheldon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-wheldon/) > [Something that cannot be explained cannot be seen.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/heinz-von-foerster/something-that-cannot-be-explained-cannot-be-seen/) [Heinz von Foerster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/heinz-von-foerster/) > [Shut up,' he explained.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ring-lardner/shut-up-he-explained/) [Ring Lardner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ring-lardner/) > [My belief is, you know, certain things have to be explained that's never been explained.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dick-gregory/my-belief-is-you-know-certain-things-have-to-be-explained-that-s/) [Dick Gregory](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dick-gregory/) > [“Why ever are you here?“ she whispered, putting her hands to his face. “Because I love you.” In so many ways, that explained nothing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-r-ward/why-ever-are-you-here-she-whispered-putting-her-hands-to-his-face/) [J.R. Ward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-r-ward/) ## More by Elmore Leonard > [It took me 20 years to buy an electric typewriter, because I was afraid it would be too sensitive. I like to bang the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elmore-leonard/it-took-me-20-years-to-buy-an-electric-typewriter-because-i-was/) [Elmore Leonard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elmore-leonard/) > [These are rules I've picked up along the way to help me remain invisible when I'm writing a book, to help me show rather…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elmore-leonard/these-are-rules-i-ve-picked-up-along-the-way-to-help-me-remain/) [Elmore Leonard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elmore-leonard/) > [“There’s something happening here, I know it. It’s right in front of my face, but I just can’t see it.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elmore-leonard/there-s-something-happening-here-i-know-it-it-s-right-in-front-of-my/) [Elmore Leonard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elmore-leonard/) > [The line of dialogue belongs to the character; the verb is the writer sticking his nose in.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elmore-leonard/the-line-of-dialogue-belongs-to-the-character-the-verb-is-the-writer/) [Elmore Leonard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elmore-leonard/) > [“I try to leave out the parts that people skip.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elmore-leonard/i-try-to-leave-out-the-parts-that-people-skip/) [Elmore Leonard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elmore-leonard/) > [I have fun writing. I don't make it a chore. I don't have to struggle with it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elmore-leonard/i-have-fun-writing-i-don-t-make-it-a-chore-i-don-t-have-to-struggle/) [Elmore Leonard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elmore-leonard/) > [If it sounds like writing, I rewrite it. Or, if proper usage gets in the way, it may have to go. I can't allow…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elmore-leonard/if-it-sounds-like-writing-i-rewrite-it-or-if-proper-usage-gets-in-the/) [Elmore Leonard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elmore-leonard/) > [I don’t think writers compete, I think they’re all doing separate things in their own style.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elmore-leonard/i-don-t-think-writers-compete-i-think-they-re-all-doing-separate/) [Elmore Leonard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elmore-leonard/) > [After 58 years you'd think writing would get easier. It doesn't. If you're lucky, you become harder to please. That's all right, it's still…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elmore-leonard/after-58-years-you-d-think-writing-would-get-easier-it-doesn-t-if-you/) [Elmore Leonard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elmore-leonard/) > [“He saw Harvey and Edgar catch each other's eye as he looked off toward the strains of "Alley Cat," Jesus, hoping they'd rush it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elmore-leonard/he-saw-harvey-and-edgar-catch-each-other-s-eye-as-he-looked-off/) [Elmore Leonard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elmore-leonard/) > [I'm not going to write for posterity. I'm going to write to make a buck.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elmore-leonard/i-m-not-going-to-write-for-posterity-i-m-going-to-write-to-make-a-buck/) [Elmore Leonard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elmore-leonard/) > [“A wife's faithful to her husband, subject to him. It's in the bible.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elmore-leonard/a-wife-s-faithful-to-her-husband-subject-to-him-it-s-in-the-bible/) [Elmore Leonard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elmore-leonard/) > [Using adverbs is a mortal sin.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elmore-leonard/using-adverbs-is-a-mortal-sin/) [Elmore Leonard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elmore-leonard/) > [Try not to write the parts that people skip.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elmore-leonard/try-not-to-write-the-parts-that-people-skip/) [Elmore Leonard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elmore-leonard/) > [I want the reader to know what's going on. So there's never a mystery in my books.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elmore-leonard/i-want-the-reader-to-know-what-s-going-on-so-there-s-never-a-mystery/) [Elmore Leonard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elmore-leonard/) [Explore all 130 Elmore Leonard quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elmore-leonard/) ## More Coal quotes > [Assuming normal winter weather, we currently anticipate the coal markets to remain difficult through 2015; while we always strive to operate a full capacity…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-craft/assuming-normal-winter-weather-we-currently-anticipate-the-coal/) [Joe Craft](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-craft/) > [Coal lay in ledges under the ground since the Flood, until a laborer with pick and windlass brings it to the surface. We may…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/coal-lay-in-ledges-under-the-ground-since-the-flood-until-a-laborer/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [The only difference between black coal and a precious diamond is the amount of pressure it endured.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joel-osteen/the-only-difference-between-black-coal-and-a-precious-diamond-is-the/) [Joel Osteen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joel-osteen/) > [In that sense, I became politicized because the people in the coal mining villages who were involved in the struggle knew why they were…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/billy-bragg/in-that-sense-i-became-politicized-because-the-people-in-the-coal/) [Billy Bragg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/billy-bragg/) > [Dusty, dark, cold, and hard, coal has no beauty of its own, but when it is consummated by fire it is beautiful and becomes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederica-mathewes-green/dusty-dark-cold-and-hard-coal-has-no-beauty-of-its-own-but-when-it-is/) [Frederica Mathewes-Green](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederica-mathewes-green/) > [a TEN-YEAR-OLD lad in Indianapolis who was arrested for picking up coal along the side of railroad tracks is now in jail. If the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mother-jones/a-ten-year-old-lad-in-indianapolis-who-was-arrested-for-picking-up/) [Mother Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mother-jones/) > [Coal is the moral choice, particularly for the developing world... The model for the world right now should be Australia. Australia gets it. Scientifically…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marc-morano/coal-is-the-moral-choice-particularly-for-the-developing-world-the/) [Marc Morano](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marc-morano/) > [Iron and coal dominated everywhere, from grey to black: the black boots, the black stove-pipe hat, the black coach or carriage, the black iron…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lewis-mumford/iron-and-coal-dominated-everywhere-from-grey-to-black-the-black-boots/) [Lewis Mumford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lewis-mumford/) > [I remember being very influenced by 'Taxi Driver', and also Tommy Lee Jones in 'Coal Miner's Daughter' a little bit.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-rockwell/i-remember-being-very-influenced-by-taxi-driver-and-also-tommy-lee/) [Sam Rockwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-rockwell/) > [I have visited sweatshops, factories, and crowded slums. If I could not see it, I could smell it. The foundation of society is laid…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/helen-keller/i-have-visited-sweatshops-factories-and-crowded-slums-if-i-could-not/) [Helen Keller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/helen-keller/) > [Shakespeare doesn't belong to the past. If his material is valid, it is valid now. It's like coal. The only meaningfulness of a piece…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-brook/shakespeare-doesn-t-belong-to-the-past-if-his-material-is-valid-it-is/) [Peter Brook](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-brook/) > [Coal is My Worst Nightmare.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-chu/coal-is-my-worst-nightmare/) [Steven Chu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-chu/) > [America is the Saudi Arabia of coal.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-duhigg/america-is-the-saudi-arabia-of-coal/) [Charles Duhigg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-duhigg/) > [“...those others - they're looking for trends - subjects to catch a spark - but I have you - a coal from God's altar…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-geddes/those-others-they-re-looking-for-trends-subjects-to-catch-a-spark-but/) [John Geddes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-geddes/) > [We're not going to be living in a world of abundant coal power in a hundred years.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-chait/we-re-not-going-to-be-living-in-a-world-of-abundant-coal-power-in-a/) [Jonathan Chait](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-chait/) [Browse all 720 Coal quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/coal/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“I thought I explained it to you. 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