It Goes Without Saying

By Michael Patrick Okeefe

My sweet wife, who is Taiwanese, is very fond of saying "it goes without saying". For example, she might say -- "We will always take care of each other -- it goes without saying." Now understand, English is her second language, yet she is remarkably articulate, with a sly, dry, wit. So, when my wife says "it goes without saying", one cannot simply attribute the statement to repetitive Chinglish filler.

Thus, the question, if it goes without saying -- why say it? To add emphasis? To cast doubt? To elicit a response? To question? To bemuse? To see if I agree that the concept is so profound that "it goes without saying"? And what is "it"? Is this a sexual reference? I mean, if "it goes", and she doesn't have to say it, but she says it anyway, is she trying to tell me something? Is she commenting on my virility? Is this a good thing?

Then again, perhaps the phrase is metaphysical. By invoking "it" and where "it goes", is she suggesting further inquiries into universal truths? Indeed, where does "it" go? And if it goes there without saying, does the fact that she is talking about it alter its destination -- akin to some sort of philosphical Heisenberg uncertainy principal? Is she trying to tell me that I am so insignificant that the universe exists regardless of whether I acknowledge or speak it? i.e., it will go without saying whether I want to say it or not? What if she says "I like Whataburger -- it goes without saying"? Should I take her to Whataburger, or not? Can we ever really know, if "it goes without saying"?

Ah, dear reader. I am confused. It goes without saying.