Reasons that would tell with both of them

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Marius Hancu - 18 Nov 2006 12:13 GMT

Hello:

I wonder what is the meaning of "to tell with somebody" in the
"reasons that would tell with both of them?"

Could it be "reasons that would reveal themselves in both of them?"

------
[Newland Archer has just been engaged to May Welland and he's already
having some doubts.]

What could he and she really know of each other, since it
was his duty, as a "decent" fellow, to conceal his past from her, and
hers, as a marriageable girl, to have no past to conceal? What if, for
some one of the subtler reasons that would tell with both of them,
they should tire of each other, misunderstand or irritate each other?

The Age of Innocence - Edith Wharton, p. 49
http://www.classic-novels.com/author/edith_wharton/age_of_innocence/ageofinnocen
ce009.shtml
------

Thanks.
Marius Hancu

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Paul Wolff - 18 Nov 2006 12:53 GMT

>Hello:
>
[quoted text clipped - 17 lines]
>finnocence009.shtml
>------

Here 'to tell' means to have effect, to carry weight, to be convincing.
The reasons in the quoted passage are those which would be effective on
both of them. This meaning is typically used in phrases such as 'a
telling argument' or 'a telling blow' (in relation to a fight, for
example).

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Paul
In bocca al Lupo!

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Marius Hancu - 18 Nov 2006 13:03 GMT

> This meaning is typically used in phrases such as 'a
> telling argument' or 'a telling blow' (in relation to a fight, for
> example).

OK, these I know:-)

Thanks.
Marius Hancu

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Steve Hayes - 18 Nov 2006 13:07 GMT

>Hello:
>
>I wonder what is the meaning of "to tell with somebody" in the
>"reasons that would tell with both of them?"
>
>Could it be "reasons that would reveal themselves in both of them?"

No, it means "reasons neither of them would consider important or valid".

To "tell with" (and also "to count with" can mean to be regarded as worthy of
taking seriously.

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Steve Hayes from Tshwane, South Africa
Web: http://www.geocities.com/Athens/7734/stevesig.htm
E-mail - see web page, or parse: shayes at dunelm full stop org full stop uk

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John Dean - 18 Nov 2006 14:15 GMT

> Hello:
>
> I wonder what is the meaning of "to tell with somebody" in the
> "reasons that would tell with both of them?"

Same expression as "would count with ..." meaning "would be significant". In
one sense, of course, "tell" and "count" are synonyms.

> Could it be "reasons that would reveal themselves in both of them?"
>
[quoted text clipped - 11 lines]
> http://www.classic-novels.com/author/edith_wharton/age_of_innocence/ageofinnocen
ce009.shtml
> ------

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John Dean
Oxford

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Don Phillipson - 18 Nov 2006 16:11 GMT

> I wonder what is the meaning of "to tell with somebody" in the
> "reasons that would tell with both of them?" . . .
> The Age of Innocence - Edith Wharton, p. 49

http://www.classic-novels.com/author/edith_wharton/age_of_innocence/ageofinnocen
ce009.shtml

The verb tell was (before the 20th century) a
synonym for count. E.g. a Catholic praying with
a rosary was "telling his beads" (because the
different components of the rosary inicate which
prayers should be said, and how many times.)
We still call the counter staff of a bank "tellers"
because they count the money (on the counter,
of course.)

I.e. Wharton uses "reasons that would tell" exactly
where we would now write "reasons that would count."

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Don Phillipson
Carlsbad Springs
(Ottawa, Canada)

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Marius Hancu - 20 Nov 2006 13:00 GMT

> > I wonder what is the meaning of "to tell with somebody" in the
> > "reasons that would tell with both of them?" . . .
[quoted text clipped - 7 lines]
> because they count the money (on the counter,
> of course.)

Interesting. Thanks.
Marius Hancu

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UC - 20 Nov 2006 14:15 GMT

> Hello:
>
> I wonder what is the meaning of "to tell with somebody" in the
> "reasons that would tell with both of them?"

Reasons that both would find compelling.

> Could it be "reasons that would reveal themselves in both of them?"
>
[quoted text clipped - 14 lines]
> Thanks.
> Marius Hancu

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Discussion Groups / English Usage / November 2006

Reasons that would tell with both of them