We live in a time when clever folks work long and hard to reveal the hidden meanings of what people have said, written, created, and presented. So much of what we desire to understand remains elusive, hidden, bidding us to “come get me” and “discover my secrets.” We experience this sense that some meaning is hidden as much when we interact with people as we do when struggling to interpret literature, law, artworks, and other cultural symbols. Our common reflex is to indulge in the Socratic impulse to tear the covers off things in the hope that opaque meanings will shine transparent.

Consider this excerpt from a work entitled Men Are from Belgium, Women Are from New Brunswick, which aims to help readers better understand the secret meanings behind the statements spoken by a man and woman during a dinner conversation. Each statement is followed by an interpretation of what the speaker actually meant by his or her words:

1. Guy: Is this meat loaf? (he actually means “This is meat loaf? Isn't it?”)

2. Gal: Of course it is, darling. (she actually means “Do you have a problem with that?”)

3. Guy: Mmm. It's delicious! (he actually means “It's awful”)

4. Gal: I'm so glad you're enjoying it. (she actually means “Isn't that a damn shame”)

5. Guy: Did you use a recipe? (he actually means “Did you just throw all this stuff together randomly or what?”)

6. […]