Communication between men and women has been studied by psychologists, debated by comedians and quietly sighed about across dinner tables for decades.

Sometimes it’s not what’s said – it’s what’s meant. Or more specifically, what’s meant but never quite makes it into the sentence.

So, in the spirit of gentle fun (and self-preservation), here’s a tongue-in-cheek translation guide to some of the most common phrases men use – and what they may actually be thinking when they say them.

No offence intended. No men were harmed in the making of this list. And if any of this feels familiar … well, that’s between you and him.

‘I’m going fishing.’
Really means … ‘I’m going to drink myself dangerously stupid and stand by a stream with a stick in my hand, while the fish swim by in complete safety.

”It’s a guy thing.’
Really means …. ‘There is no rational thought pattern connected with it, and you have no chance at all of making it logical.’

‘Can I help with dinner?’
Really means … ‘Why isn’t it already on the table?’

‘Uh huh,’ ‘Sure, honey,’ or ‘Yes, dear.’
Really means … Absolutely nothing. It’s a conditioned response.

‘It would take too long to explain.’
Really means … ‘I have no idea how it works.’

‘I’m getting more exercise lately.’
Really means … ‘The batteries in the remote are dead.’

‘We’re going to be late.’
Really means … ‘Now I have a legitimate excuse to drive like a maniac.’

‘Take a break, honey, you’re working too hard.’
Really means ….’I can’t hear the game over the vacuum  cleaner.’

‘That’s interesting, dear.’
Really means … ‘Are you still talking?’

‘Honey, we don’t need material things to prove our love.’
Really means … ‘I forgot our anniversary again.’

‘You expect too much of me.’
Really means … ‘You want me to stay awake?’

‘That’s women’s work.’
Really means … ‘It’s difficult, dirty, and thankless.’

‘You know how bad my memory is.’
Really means … ‘I remember the theme song to ‘F Troop’, the address of the first girl I ever kissed and the Vehicle Identification Numbers of every car I’ve ever owned, but I forgot your birthday.’

‘Oh, don’t fuss. I just cut myself, it’s no big deal.’
Really means … ‘I have severed a limb, but will bleed to death before I admit I’m hurt.’

‘I do help around the house.’
Really means … ‘I once put a dirty towel in the laundry basket.’

‘Hey, I’ve got my reasons for what I’m doing.’
Really means … ‘I sure hope I think of some reasons pretty  soon.’

‘I can’t find it.’
Really means … ‘It didn’t fall into my outstretched hands, so I’m completely clueless.’

‘What did I do this time?’
Really means … ‘What did you catch me doing?’

‘I heard you.’
Really means … ‘I haven’t the foggiest clue what you just said, and I’m hoping desperately that I can fake it well enough so that you don’t spend the next days yelling at me.’

‘You look terrific.’
Really means … ‘Oh, God, please don’t try on one more outfit. I’m starving.’

‘I missed you.’
Really means … ‘I can’t find my sock drawer, the kids are hungry and we are out of toilet paper.’

‘I’m not lost. I know exactly where we are.’
Really means … ‘I’m lost. I have no idea where we are,  and no one will ever see us alive again.’

‘We share the housework.’
Really means … ‘I make the messes, you clean them up.’

‘This relationship is getting too serious.’
Really means … ‘You’re cutting into the time I spend with my truck.’

‘I don’t need to read the instructions.’
Really means … ‘I am perfectly capable of screwing it up without printed help.’