As you know, Bob

[DamaNegra]

So I'm rewriting my novel because I just found the beginning (well into chapter 4), but now I've come across a bit that, although it is very common in everyday speech (at least in Mexico), to me it sounds like 'As you know, Bob.'

Here's the bit:

"Precisely. Egoist, manipulative and possesive. You don't like me having my own life, every five minutes calling me at the office and you don't even like me going out with my friends."
"You damn liar! Only once have I asked you not to go out with them and, may I remind you, it was our aniversary!"

Is this the case?

[icerose]

Sounds like a common couple's spat rather than as you know, Bob.

As you know, Bob, is when two characters know something and the writer wants to convey their knowledge onto the audience and do so by stating something they both already know and it is pointless for these two characters to state it other than to tell the audience what the writer wants them to know.

[Bk_30]

I agree, in this case that is not a bob bit :)

[Aubrey]

So I'm rewriting my novel because I just found the beginning (well into chapter 4), but now I've come across a bit that, although it is very common in everyday speech (at least in Mexico), to me it sounds like 'As you know, Bob.'

Here's the bit:

"Precisely. Egoist, manipulative and possesive. You don't like me having my own life, every five minutes calling me at the office and you don't even like me going out with my friends."
"You damn liar! Only once have I asked you not to go out with them and, may I remind you, it was our aniversary!"

Is this the case?
I've never heard of "As you know Bob" syndrome, but I did have a bit of constructive crit. I'd put a comma after "office" and get rid of the "you" at "and you don't..." It sounds a little odd coming after a list.

I like your writing style though. It sounds very true to life. I don't even know the characters but I can just see their expressions and hear her voices when I read that.

[katiemac]

I'd drop "may I remind you." Otherwise, I think it's fine and still would be if you don't drop it.

[DamaNegra]

Ah, well, it was a rough translation :D my MS is in Spanish, so it's all translation issues.

But thanks for your input!

[Alan Yee]

"As you know Bob, we are all androids and must recharge our battery packs every four hours or die..."

I think that one came from the Turkey City Lexicon.

IMHO yours is fine, Dama. :D

[SeanDSchaffer]

I don't think so, DamaNegra. I agree with Icerose in that it sounds like a common argument within a married couple.

In fact, I think the "May I remind you...." in the sentence....

"You damn liar! Only once have I asked you not to go out with them and, may I remind you, it was our aniversary!" (Emphasis added)

....sounds more like a facetious remark than does the average "As you know, Bob."

Think about it this way: Do you hear the same tone of voice when "As you know, Bob" is added to the sentence, as you hear when you have it the original way?

----

"You damn liar! Only once have I asked you not to go out with them and, may I remind you, it was our aniversary!"

or

"You damn liar! Only once have I asked you not to go out with them and, as you know, Bob, it was our aniversary!"

----

Personally, I do not get the same message from the two sentences. The first one, IMO, sounds angry and spiteful, while the second one sounds, believe it or not, more like a piece of information.


I hope this helps.