Technically speaking is another way of saying, “Well, actually . . .” Or to put it another way, giving the exact value of a figure or estimate.
A driver might say that he/she drove the speed limit on the highway. But the passenger might say, “Well, technically speaking, you went over the speed limit by 5 to 10 miles per hour a few times.”
So why is it that we generalize or round up or round down when we talk about numbers rather than give the precise value?
Perhaps the “technical” answer isn’t as exciting, or maybe it’s unnecessary to read it out every time. For example, when we talk about salaries, we round up or down to the thousands place or ten-thousands place. We don’t read out every single digit (i.e. the average salary is $50,689.19 at so-so company). Instead, a general value provides the idea we need for the discussion without overcomplicating it. It gives a rough “stat” of the figure rather than to have the listener process every single digit, and thus, to lose their interest or attention.
It’s the same when talking about statistics, such as the average or the median. A number might be 6 or 7 digits long or have four decimal places, but we round to simplify it, to make it easier to grasp.
So although “technically speaking” might give us the accurate answer, it misses the point of the conversation. It’s not about the specs, but about simplifying a value into an idea that comes across with ease.
Fallton Havenstonne 