What is the meaning of the phrase ‘bare with me’?
The correct phrase is ‘bear with me’ which means ‘be patient with me’. The phrase ‘bare with me’ literally means ‘uncover with me’ and is not correct for professional purposes.
What is the origin of the phrase ‘bare with me’?
The phrase ‘bear with me dates back to the 1300s when it originated in Middle English. It uses the verb ‘bear’ which means to endure or tolerate something. ‘Bare with me’ is a common misspelling of the phrase, which is likely to have come about much later.
The words ‘bear’ and ‘bare’ are homophones, or in other words, words that sound alike but are spelled differently and have different meanings. These particular homophones not only sound the same but also share the same letters, so it’s no wonder the phrase, and its meaning gets so confused.
How do you use the phrase ‘bare with me’?
In a variety of different professional settings, someone may be asked to carry out a task for someone else. Sometimes such tasks may take time to carry out for one reason or another. If it’s your task, you’d be well advised to use the phrase ‘bear with me’ so that the person you are helping knows to be patient and wait a while.
Very often, if you were to use the phrase ‘bare with me’ instead of ‘bear with me’, the correct meaning would usually be assumed. That said however, if your work was in copywriting such mistakes won’t go down well.
What are some notable uses of the phrase ‘bare with me’?
The incorrect phrase ‘bare with me’ is often used for humorous purposes, such as in pop culture, within comedy skits and stand-up routines, as well as TV sitcoms. More recently, the phrase has also taken off in social media and internet memes.
The phrase also features in books such as ‘Eats, Shoots, and Leaves’, which is a book about the English language. Similarly, you may also come across the incorrect version of the phrase in English as a Second Language websites and classes to highlight the importance of spelling in written communication.
