'a thin story' - indelicate? too sarcastic?

[Tamara]

Hi

Does It’s a thin story sounds rough? (indelicate? too sarcastic?))
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[Alan]

Hi Tamara,

I think you can just about say a thin story but to my ear, without wishing to be too academic, I prefer the separation of the two words and would say: That story sounds a bit thin. In other words I would use it predicatively instead of attributively.

Having said all that I would still say thin in the sense of without substance or slight is acceptable when applied to words like: story, plot, excuse.

Alan
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[Yankee]

Hi Tamara

The word "it" suggests that you might be saying the sentence to someone other than the person responsible for the story.

Now, if you said "That's a thin story" the sentence would sound more like direct feedback (i.e., said directly to the person who told the story). The meaning could be "That's a lie" or "Your story lacks substance/isn't well-written". Either way, the person responsible for the story probably won't be happy to hear the comment.

I wouldn't call it "rough", but just how indelicate or sarcastic it might be perceived would depend mostly on the context (and probably the personalities involved).

Amy
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Amy
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ESL teacher, translator, and a native speaker of American English

[Alan]

Hi Tamara,

Had another thought about thin, which may be of interest and that is the expression: having a thin time of it. If you are having a thin time of it, you are going through a difficult period in your life, mainly through being unemployed, not having much money ot having personal problems.

Just a thought on thin. Thanks

Alan
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[Tamara]

Hi Alan! Hi, Amy!

Thanks!

I know the expression go through thick and thin! Its Russian equivalent sounds even more funny

... Going to read your answers - slowly and with pleasure
(but having no intention to vanish into thin air )
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[Conchita]

The thread is wearing thin, so I'd like to add one expression I find particularly funny:

To be thin on top (to become bald).

[Torsten]

You should also concentrate on a limited number of projects, otherwise you might run the risk of spreading yourself thin.
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[Tamara]

Hi!

'thin table'