Idioms – Understanding the Meaning of ‘I’m Rubber; You’re Glue’

idioms

I don't really understand the rubber and glue reference in the idiom:

I’m rubber, you’re glue. Whatever you say bounces off me and sticks to you.

since as we all know glue does stick on rubber.

Best Answer

This made me smile.

Okay, I'm rubber, therefore I am bouncy.

The insults you throw at me do not stick to me. I do not let them hurt me. In fact, the insults you have thrown at me will bounce off of me, because I am rubber and I am bouncy. I am resilient! I will "bounce back", so to speak.

However, you are glue. What you have said to me will bounce off me and stick to you. Furthermore, what you say about me really says more about you. The rude things you choose to say about me are often really a reflection of who you are as a person.

I'm rubber. You're glue.

We teach it to kids so that they're not too sensitive.

Thank you for giving me this laugh today. It really made me smile.

Another good one is "Sticks and stones can break my bones, but words may never hurt me.". You can argue about the truthfulness of this statement lol, but again, it's something we teach to the kids.

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