---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: It's a strange world of language in which…"
description: "\"It's a strange world of language in which skating on thin ice can get you into hot water.\" — Franklin P. Jones"
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1d3/franklin-p-jones-27080_hot-water_it-s-a-strange-world-of-language-in-whic_1627108.jpg"
---

#  It's a strange world of language in which skating on thin…

![“It's a strange world of language in which skating on thin ice can get you into hot water.” quote by Franklin P. Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1d3/franklin-p-jones-27080_hot-water_it-s-a-strange-world-of-language-in-whic_1627108.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1d3/franklin-p-jones-27080_hot-water_it-s-a-strange-world-of-language-in-whic_1627108.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1d3/franklin-p-jones-27080_hot-water_it-s-a-strange-world-of-language-in-whic_1627108.jpg)

> “It's a strange world of language in which skating on thin ice can get you into hot water.”

[Franklin P. Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/franklin-p-jones/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

He points out how language can lead to paradoxical situations where actions have unexpected consequences.

**In simple terms:** Words can cause surprising outcomes.

Key Takeaway

Watch for unintended effects of communication.

Themes

language paradox consequence

Mood

thoughtful wry

Type

observational philosophical

When to use this quote

- negotiating contracts
- giving advice
- public speaking
- writing instructions

Key Concepts

semantic irony communication pitfalls social dynamics

Questions to Reflect On

- How does phrasing affect outcomes?
- When have you faced a linguistic paradox?

A Different Perspective

May overstate complexity of everyday language.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Hot water](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hot-water/) [Language](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/language/) [Language Skating](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/language-skating-349920/) [Olympics](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/olympics/) [Skating](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/skating/) [Skating Ice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/skating-ice-349921/) [Strange](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/strange/) [Strange world](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/strange-world/) [Water](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/water/) [World](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/world/)

## Related quotes

> [If you're skating on thin ice, you might as well dance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anita-shreve/if-you-re-skating-on-thin-ice-you-might-as-well-dance/)

[Anita Shreve](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anita-shreve/)

> [It seems like yesterday I was up there watching my first NHL game, and I was skating on the ice this time. It brings…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sidney-crosby/it-seems-like-yesterday-i-was-up-there-watching-my-first-nhl-game-and/)

[Sidney Crosby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sidney-crosby/)

> [ Tallulah \[Bankhead\] is always skating on thin ice. Everyone wants to be there when it breaks. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mrs-patrick-campbell/tallulah-bankhead-is-always-skating-on-thin-ice-everyone-wants-to-be/)

[Mrs. Patrick Campbell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mrs-patrick-campbell/)

> [Roller-skating and ice-skating are two different things - I found that out the hard way.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/todd-bridges/roller-skating-and-ice-skating-are-two-different-things-i-found-that/)

[Todd Bridges](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/todd-bridges/)

> [If you should go skating On the thin ice of modern life Dragging behind you the silent reproach Of a million tear-stained eyes Don't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pink-floyd/if-you-should-go-skating-on-the-thin-ice-of-modern-life-dragging/)

[Pink Floyd](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pink-floyd/)

> [Without strength and courage it's really hard to perform at the highest levels of international figure skating, because you're alone on the ice and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scott-hamilton/without-strength-and-courage-it-s-really-hard-to-perform-at-the/)

[Scott Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scott-hamilton/)

> [In skating over thin ice our safety is in our speed.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/in-skating-over-thin-ice-our-safety-is-in-our-speed/)

[Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/)

> [I'd like to cause a little riot in skating.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sasha-cohen/i-d-like-to-cause-a-little-riot-in-skating/)

[Sasha Cohen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sasha-cohen/)

> [Figure skating is theatrical, and a part of it is wearing costumes. My costumes were very over-the-top and outrageous for figure skating. But for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johnny-weir/figure-skating-is-theatrical-and-a-part-of-it-is-wearing-costumes-my/)

[Johnny Weir](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johnny-weir/)

> [Skating has always been a major area of interest to me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sasha-cohen/skating-has-always-been-a-major-area-of-interest-to-me/)

[Sasha Cohen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sasha-cohen/)

> [I decided to host my show 'Kiss and Cry' hoping that people actually want to participate and feel more familiar with figure skating. When…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yuna-kim/i-decided-to-host-my-show-kiss-and-cry-hoping-that-people-actually/)

[Yuna Kim](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yuna-kim/)

> [Skating is in my heart, not my head](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michelle-kwan/skating-is-in-my-heart-not-my-head/)

[Michelle Kwan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michelle-kwan/)

> [I watch a lot of professional skating, and I am really looking forward to going to nationals.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/debi-thomas/i-watch-a-lot-of-professional-skating-and-i-am-really-looking-forward/)

[Debi Thomas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/debi-thomas/)

> [Skating is a sport that I found a lot of interest in from a very, very young age. Ultimately, I think that being on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nathan-chen/skating-is-a-sport-that-i-found-a-lot-of-interest-in-from-a-very-very/)

[Nathan Chen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nathan-chen/)

> [I think skating helped me find myself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peggy-fleming/i-think-skating-helped-me-find-myself/)

[Peggy Fleming](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peggy-fleming/)

## More by Franklin P. Jones

> [You never realize what a good memory you have until you try to forget something.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/franklin-p-jones/you-never-realize-what-a-good-memory-you-have-until-you-try-to-forget/)

[Franklin P. Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/franklin-p-jones/)

> [One trouble with developing speed reading skills is that by the time you realize a book is boring you've already finished it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/franklin-p-jones/one-trouble-with-developing-speed-reading-skills-is-that-by-the-time/)

[Franklin P. Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/franklin-p-jones/)

> [The easiest way to solve a problem is to pick an easy one.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/franklin-p-jones/the-easiest-way-to-solve-a-problem-is-to-pick-an-easy-one/)

[Franklin P. Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/franklin-p-jones/)

> [Scratch a dog and you'll find a permanent job.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/franklin-p-jones/scratch-a-dog-and-you-ll-find-a-permanent-job/)

[Franklin P. Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/franklin-p-jones/)

> [One advantage of talking to yourself is that you know at least somebody's listening.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/franklin-p-jones/one-advantage-of-talking-to-yourself-is-that-you-know-at-least/)

[Franklin P. Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/franklin-p-jones/)

> [Anybody who thinks talk is cheap should get some legal advice.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/franklin-p-jones/anybody-who-thinks-talk-is-cheap-should-get-some-legal-advice/)

[Franklin P. Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/franklin-p-jones/)

> [A fanatic is one who sticks to his guns whether they're loaded or not.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/franklin-p-jones/a-fanatic-is-one-who-sticks-to-his-guns-whether-they-re-loaded-or-not/)

[Franklin P. Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/franklin-p-jones/)

> [What makes resisting temptation difficult for many people is they don't want to discourage it completely.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/franklin-p-jones/what-makes-resisting-temptation-difficult-for-many-people-is-they-don/)

[Franklin P. Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/franklin-p-jones/)

> [Experience is that marvelous thing that enable you to recognize a mistake when you make it again.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/franklin-p-jones/experience-is-that-marvelous-thing-that-enable-you-to-recognize-a/)

[Franklin P. Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/franklin-p-jones/)

> [Originality is the art of concealing your source.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/franklin-p-jones/originality-is-the-art-of-concealing-your-source/)

[Franklin P. Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/franklin-p-jones/)

> [Anybody who finds it easy to make money on the horses is probably in the dog food business.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/franklin-p-jones/anybody-who-finds-it-easy-to-make-money-on-the-horses-is-probably-in/)

[Franklin P. Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/franklin-p-jones/)

> [When you get something for nothing, you just haven't been billed for it yet.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/franklin-p-jones/when-you-get-something-for-nothing-you-just-haven-t-been-billed-for/)

[Franklin P. Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/franklin-p-jones/)

> [The most efficient labor-saving device is still money.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/franklin-p-jones/the-most-efficient-labor-saving-device-is-still-money/)

[Franklin P. Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/franklin-p-jones/)

> [All women should know how to take care of children. Most of them will have a husband some day.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/franklin-p-jones/all-women-should-know-how-to-take-care-of-children-most-of-them-will/)

[Franklin P. Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/franklin-p-jones/)

> [The British have a remarkable talent for keeping calm, even when there is no crisis.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/franklin-p-jones/the-british-have-a-remarkable-talent-for-keeping-calm-even-when-there/)

[Franklin P. Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/franklin-p-jones/)

[Explore all 21 Franklin P. Jones quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/franklin-p-jones/)

## More Hot water quotes

> [We were so poor as kids. I didn't even see a bathtub, running water, hot water, commode - we didn't have any of that.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phil-robertson/we-were-so-poor-as-kids-i-didn-t-even-see-a-bathtub-running-water-hot/)

[Phil Robertson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phil-robertson/)

> [“See? Injustice. Here we are, risking our lives to rescue Kai and this whole planet, and Adri and Pearl get to go to the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marissa-meyer/see-injustice-here-we-are-risking-our-lives-to-rescue-kai-and-this/)

[Marissa Meyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marissa-meyer/)

> [“The hot water pools are steaming, Fagan and Monsanto and the others are all sitting peacefully up to their necks, they're all naked, but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-kerouac/the-hot-water-pools-are-steaming-fagan-and-monsanto-and-the-others/)

[Jack Kerouac](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-kerouac/)

> [Political correctness is a major defect of the western ethos. Some Western countries have even passed blasphemy laws that would put you in legal…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ali-sina/political-correctness-is-a-major-defect-of-the-western-ethos-some/)

[Ali Sina](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ali-sina/)

> [Nobody ever says, 'Hey daddy, thanks for knockin' out this rent.' 'Hey daddy, I sure love this hot water.' 'Hey daddy, it's easy to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-rock/nobody-ever-says-hey-daddy-thanks-for-knockin-out-this-rent-hey-daddy/)

[Chris Rock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-rock/)

> [“Epsom Salt - Don't underestimate the powerful healing effects of regular Epsom salt.  Soaking in hot water infused with Epsom salts (magnesium sulfate) boosts…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gina-the-veggie-goddess-matthews/epsom-salt-don-t-underestimate-the-powerful-healing-effects-of/)

[Gina 'The Veggie Goddess' Matthews](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gina-the-veggie-goddess-matthews/)

> [“God, I’ve just figured out what’s missing – you ditched the hallowed Albermarle Teddy Bear!’ I nodded.   ‘Banished to a dark cupboard for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tabitha-mcgowan/god-i-ve-just-figured-out-what-s-missing-you-ditched-the-hallowed/)

[Tabitha McGowan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tabitha-mcgowan/)

> [“Matcha This jade-colored powder, pulverized from newly plucked tea buds, is whisked (with a special bamboo tool) into hot water to make ceremonial tea.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-andoh/matcha-this-jade-colored-powder-pulverized-from-newly-plucked-tea/)

[Elizabeth Andoh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-andoh/)

> [“Herbs to use for a good sleep bath and no rash. My grandma on my father’s side was a biologist and botanist. She gave…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julia-shayk/herbs-to-use-for-a-good-sleep-bath-and-no-rash-my-grandma-on-my/)

[Julia Shayk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julia-shayk/)

> [“Pain. It’s there for a reason. Whether your’e shredding your legs on a raspberry bush, scalding your hand in hot water, or taking an…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-pasricha/pain-it-s-there-for-a-reason-whether-your-e-shredding-your-legs-on-a/)

[Neil Pasricha](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-pasricha/)

> [a women is like a tea bag.it's only when she is in hot water that you realize how strong she is.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carl-sandburg/a-women-is-like-a-tea-bag-it-s-only-when-she-is-in-hot-water-that-you/)

[Carl Sandburg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carl-sandburg/)

> [“This sour cream will result in a thicker and slightly richer product than the first recipe. Ingredients 1 cup heavy cream at room temperature…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-helweg/this-sour-cream-will-result-in-a-thicker-and-slightly-richer-product/)

[Rick Helweg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-helweg/)

> [“In a pocket of his knapsack he'd found a last half packet of cocoa and he fixed it for the boy and then poured…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cormac-mccarthy/in-a-pocket-of-his-knapsack-he-d-found-a-last-half-packet-of-cocoa/)

[Cormac McCarthy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cormac-mccarthy/)

> [A woman is like a tea bag. She only knows her strength when put in hot water.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nancy-reagan/a-woman-is-like-a-tea-bag-she-only-knows-her-strength-when-put-in-hot/)

[Nancy Reagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nancy-reagan/)

> [I have a deep-down belief that there are folks in the world who are good through and through, and others who came in mean…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nancy-e-turner/i-have-a-deep-down-belief-that-there-are-folks-in-the-world-who-are/)

[Nancy E. Turner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nancy-e-turner/)

[Browse all 256 Hot water quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hot-water/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "It's a strange world of language in which skating on thin ice can get you into hot water.",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Franklin P. Jones"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/franklin-p-jones/it-s-a-strange-world-of-language-in-which-skating-on-thin-ice-can-get/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Hot water"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/franklin-p-jones/it-s-a-strange-world-of-language-in-which-skating-on-thin-ice-can-get/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1d3/franklin-p-jones-27080_hot-water_it-s-a-strange-world-of-language-in-whic_1627108.jpg",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1d3/franklin-p-jones-27080_hot-water_it-s-a-strange-world-of-language-in-whic_1627108.jpg",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1d3/franklin-p-jones-27080_hot-water_it-s-a-strange-world-of-language-in-whic_1627108.jpg",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“It's a strange world of language in which skating on thin ice can get you into hot water.” — Franklin P. Jones",
                "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
                "creator": {
                    "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
                }
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "BreadcrumbList",
            "itemListElement": [
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 1,
                    "name": "Home",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 2,
                    "name": "Quotes",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 3,
                    "name": "Franklin P. Jones",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/franklin-p-jones/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "It's a strange world of language...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/franklin-p-jones/it-s-a-strange-world-of-language-in-which-skating-on-thin-ice-can-get/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/franklin-p-jones/it-s-a-strange-world-of-language-in-which-skating-on-thin-ice-can-get/#breadcrumb"
        },
        {
            "@type": "WebSite",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "publisher": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "Organization",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "logo": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png",
                "width": 512,
                "height": 512
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
