14:27 Dec 6, 2010
"playing dumb" is such a common metaphorical phrase in English, that to my ear it realy doesn't sound at all like an insult. If anything it's a bit clever. You are saying, in effect, I know you know what I am talking about but you are pretending to know that you don't. So you are telling the child, I know you are pretending. That might even bring a smile to the face of the child if said in a gentle way. They like to pretend, or to play pretend. Of course it can also be said sharply. But I strongly agree that the phrase must be joined with play or pretend. I prefer pretend. |