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WotD: Open secret
Can you keep a secret?
Really?
If two people know a secret, then it’s not a secret anymore.
So, if someone has told you a secret, perhaps what you know is really an open secret.
An open secret is something widely known but not officially acknowledged.
It refers to information that is supposed to be confidential or private yet is commonly known to many people.
An open secret can be anything from a personal matter to a public issue.
In our daily lives, we often encounter open secrets without even realizing it.
For example, in the workplace, it’s not uncommon for employees to be aware of specific company policies or decisions that are not openly discussed or officially announced.
For example, a restaurant may have two menus and pricing strategies: one for locals and one for tourists.
This kind of open secret can affect the morale and motivation of the employees, as they may feel left out of meaningful discussions.
Similarly, in social circles, there are often open secrets about relationships, personal struggles, or even plans for the future that everyone seems to know about but nobody openly talks about.
These open secrets can create tension and awkwardness in relationships, as people may hesitate to address the elephant in the room.
The concept of an open secret also extends to more significant societal issues.
There are many instances where the public widely knows certain truths or facts, yet those in power do not openly acknowledge them.
Lack of intimacy among Japanese couples is one reason for a falling birthrate.
Don’t say it aloud!
This can lead to disillusionment and distrust among the people, who feel their concerns are ignored or dismissed.
Flesch-Kincaid Readability Test
This post is understandable by someone with at least a 9th-grade education (age 15).
On the Flesch-Kincaid reading-ease test, this post scores 56.
The easier a passage is to read, the higher the score on a scale of 0 – 100.