"in the first instance"

veryangryman

Why do only irish politicians use this phrase?

What does it mean? Is it just to fil airtime so that the host doesn't get to the meat of an answer?

Why do they never say "in the second instance" after?

Do you also get the urge to kick throats and gauge eyebals when you hear it?

Allinall

So. Let me start by saying this.

passatman86

Fxxk you Deputy Stagg

ShatterAlan

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058208735/in-the-first-instance

Is there a special piece of testing equipment to gauge eyeballs?

nj27

It’s a perfectly cromulent phrase.

heretothere

Not sure about that exact phrase but I think a lot of people do a little "waffle" to settle themselves before they start into what they really want to say.

Pherekydes

In the first instance, veryangryman, you might need some anger management; and in the second instance, you may need counselling.

KaneToad

"Well, I'm glad you asked that question. And I'm very happy to address it here with you today. And I'd like to point out that I have addressed this previously in other forum. So, let me be very clear...."

That waffle above does two things for the politician:

1) Gives them time to gather their thoughts and think of an answer

2) Uses up valuable airtime so that follow up questions are limited. The politician knows that the interview has to move on.

They will often say the same thing in several different ways. The net result is that the listener just remembers the point and not the fact that they waffled so much.

dxhound2005

The updated version for the computer age is "So, in the first instance".

Morris Garren

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058208735/in-the-first-instance

These are important 'pearls of wisdom' when dealing with, in the first instance, partners in education, as was mentioned before, in relation to, the issue raised, by your good self.

Try to keep up....