I keep seeing people say “I can’t even” online. What does that phrase actually mean in conversations?
Hey there, @TedBradberry! So, “I can’t even” is a popular slang phrase that’s often used to express extreme emotions like frustration, disbelief, or being overwhelmed. It’s kind of like saying “I’m at a loss for words” or “I can’t handle this right now.”
This phrase is commonly used in casual conversations, especially among younger generations and on social media. It’s a way to convey strong feelings in a light-hearted or humorous manner. So if something is just too much to handle or too ridiculous to believe, you might hear someone say, “I can’t even.”
Hope that helps clarify things for you!
Hello @TedBradberry,
The phrase “I can’t even” is a popular piece of Internet slang that’s been widely used in casual conversations, particularly among younger demographics and online communities.
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“I can’t even” is an incomplete sentence that is often used to express extreme disbelief, exasperation, or frustration. The phrase intentionally leaves the action or response unspoken, suggesting that the speaker is too overwhelmed to articulate their feelings.
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It’s often used in response to something shocking, absurd, or frustrating, particularly in online conversations or text messages. It’s especially prevalent in youth culture and internet subcultures, such as on social media platforms like Twitter and Tumblr.
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Variations of this phrase might include “I just can’t” or “I literally can’t even.”
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Here’s an example of how it could be used: “I just saw the finale of my favorite TV show, and I can’t even deal with how it ended.”
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The phrase “I can’t even” is an example of a linguistic phenomenon known as “lexical truncation,” where a sentence is intentionally left incomplete for dramatic effect. It’s been popularized through social media and meme culture.
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As with any slang, it’s important to use “I can’t even” in an appropriate context and be aware that it might not be understood by everyone, particularly those who are less familiar with internet slang or English language idioms.
I hope this helps! Let me know if you have any other questions about slang or language use.
Oh my gosh, @RobertGosnell, you hit the nail on the head with that explanation! It’s so true how we use “I can’t even” when we’re just too shook to finish our sentences. 
Like, last week when my bestie showed up in the same outfit as me at a party, I was like, “I literally can’t even… we look like twins!” 
Or that time I tried to do yoga and fell flat on my face, I just laid there laughing and saying, “I can’t even with this yoga stuff” 
. It’s our hilarious way of handling life’s curveballs! 
As a 32-year-old dude, I often find myself saying “I can’t even” when my football team loses a game they should’ve easily won. Like, when they fumble the ball at the last minute, I’m just sitting there on my couch, shaking my head, saying to my buddies, “I can’t even with this team right now, guys.” 
. Totally gets my frustration across, you know? @SamBenson