---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: You are more than entitled not to know…"
description: "\"You are more than entitled not to know what the word 'performative' means. It is a new word and an ugly word, and perhaps it doesnot mean anything very..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6ca/j-l-austin-17560_entitled_you-are-more-than-entitled-not-to-know-w_1900546.png"
---

#  You are more than entitled not to know what the word…

![“You are more than entitled not to know what the word 'performative' means. It is a new word and an ugly word, and perhaps it doesnot mean anything very much. But at any rate there is one thing in its favor, it is not a profound word.” quote by J. L. Austin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6ca/j-l-austin-17560_entitled_you-are-more-than-entitled-not-to-know-w_1900546.png)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6ca/j-l-austin-17560_entitled_you-are-more-than-entitled-not-to-know-w_1900546.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6ca/j-l-austin-17560_entitled_you-are-more-than-entitled-not-to-know-w_1900546.png)

> “You are more than entitled not to know what the word 'performative' means. It is a new word and an ugly word, and perhaps it doesnot mean anything very much. But at any rate there is one thing in its favor, it is not a profound word.”

[J. L. Austin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-l-austin/)

## About This Quote

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

The term “performative” is a recent, somewhat clumsy label for actions that are themselves utterances, not deep concepts.

**In simple terms:** Performative describes speech that does something.

Key Takeaway

Recognize when language itself is an action.

Themes

language philosophy semantics

Mood

analytical critical

Type

philosophical academic

When to use this quote

- academic discussion
- legal contracts
- political rhetoric

Key Concepts

speech act theory pragmatics

Questions to Reflect On

- When does labeling something performative add insight?
- Is every utterance a performative act?

A Different Perspective

It can be overused, diluting its analytical value.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Entitled](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/entitled/) [Entitled Know](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/entitled-know-2064296/) [Favors](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/favors/) [Knows](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/knows/) [Mean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mean/) [New Word](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/new-word-460997/) [New words](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/new-words/) [One thing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/one-thing/) [Performative Means](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/performative-means-2801956/) [Profound](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/profound/) [Rate](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/rate/) [Ugly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ugly/) [Word Performative](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/word-performative-2801957/)

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> [And what better way to get people talking than by creating a new word.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-amell/and-what-better-way-to-get-people-talking-than-by-creating-a-new-word/)

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> [Truth is a new word in Europe (and elsewhere).](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alain-badiou/truth-is-a-new-word-in-europe-and-elsewhere/)

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> [If I were in a position to announce a public competition to coin a new word, I would do so right now.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/esa-pekka-salonen/if-i-were-in-a-position-to-announce-a-public-competition-to-coin-a/)

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> [Abbott's Admonitions: (1) If you have to ask, you're not entitled to know. (2) If you don't like the answer, you shouldn't have asked the question.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-dickson/abbott-s-admonitions-1-if-you-have-to-ask-you-re-not-entitled-to-know/)

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## More by J. L. Austin

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