I Can't

I haven't heard it come out of the mouth of a parent or teacher for many years but this was a very common statement when I was a child. "There's no such word as can't." I believe it meant you shouldn't place limitations on what you can achieve, which is all well and good if you are four years old and struggling to tie your shoe laces. Sooner or later you will master that or just wear slip on shoes (creative problem solving). But if you're standing on a precipice with a hoard of Orcs advancing towards you and not an eagle in sight then what?

I can't might also be used as an excuse for 'I don't want to.' For example, when your Croc loving friend wants to take you shopping for a pair, 'I can't, my feet are the wrong shape,' might be kinder than, 'I would rather stick pins in my eyes than wear a pair of those ugly shoes.'

I can't may be used in a humbling kind of way. 'Oh no, you're too kind, but I really can't accept such an honour.' Some of our world leaders might benefit from this approach, rather than greedily hoarding every plane, crown or golf club gifted to them. Remember the scene in GoT where the arsehole brother of Danaerys, mother of Dragons had molten gold poured onto his head to form a crown? That wasn't a figment of the author's brutal imagination. It actually happened several times throughout the bloody course of human history, just google Genghis Kahn and Inalchuq. Whether humility would have changed the ending for either of them is unknown but it might have been worth a try.

I so can't has become a popular phrase, generally meaning the exact opposite. Yes it is terrible grammar but only a handful of us worry too much about that nowadays.

Occasionally, very occasionally, when somebody wants to really emphasise a point, I can't reverts to the original 'I cannot.' 'I cannot believe you did that.' It takes you right back to childhood, standing in front of the wall you scribbled on, while a parent points an accusing finger at the wall, then at you, as your artistic achievement goes unappreciated.

If you're still with me, remember to be kind. I can't take it back is the saddest I can't in the world.