An expression of strong agreement, meaning 'I completely agree with what you just said.'
This phrase emerged in American English in the early 20th century as an emphatic way to show agreement. The literal meaning suggests the statement was so accurate or well-put that it deserves repetition, though ironically, the speaker rarely actually wants to hear it repeated.
The phrase creates a delightful linguistic paradox - it's an invitation that's never meant to be taken literally. If someone actually did repeat their statement after hearing 'you can say that again,' it would be socially awkward, showing how much of communication relies on understanding implied rather than literal meaning.
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