Isn't it weird how we use the exclamation "really?" I've been thinking about this recently (yeah, I have nothing better to do) and I've come to the conclusion that the expression has pretty much no semantic worth in the way it's normally used. Take a look at this sample dialogue.

Person 1: So I saw Person 3 the other day, and he was commenting on what a strange name he had.

Person 2: Really?

Person 1: Yeah, and he said that...

What was the point of Person 2 saying "Really?" It implies that he did not believe what Person 1 was saying, and is checking that he's not being lied to. The expression "That's interesting" or "Do go on" would have worked much better, without implying this dishonesty. Of course, if Person 2 really *didn't* believe that Person 1 was telling the truth, then it would have made some sense - but in real life, he'd be much more likely to be very circumlocutory in order to *avoid* giving the impression that he thought Person 1 was lying. He'd say something like "Are you sure about that?"

I'm not entirely sure why I came up with this. I'm just wondering where on Earth that kind of misuse of expressions came from.

Si-"Really?"-gi

PS. Having looked at this message as a preview, I also find it odd how use of punctuation looks so different in monospaced font. The sentence "Isn't it weird how we use the exclamation "really?"?" looks OK in monospace, but very strange in Times New Roman.

Just a thought...