Knee Jerk and Gut Reactions: When We Are Not in Control — VOA Learning English
Topics: суспільство
Beginning
And now, Words and Their Stories, from VOA Learning English.
In life, some of our decisions and actions are well thought out. They involve research, examination, and time for thought. And other decisions and actions are not well thought out. We make them quickly, without thinking, almost like a pure physical reaction.
We can call these decisions, actions or reactions knee-jerk.
This term comes from a medical process. Meriam Webster defines the noun "knee jerk" as “an involuntary forward kick produced by a light blow on the tendon below the kneecap.” It is an involuntary action. It's automatic.
The words “involuntary” and “automatic” are important when understanding the term “knee jerk” and when…
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