Book Discussion: When You CAN Judge a Book by Its Cover

No doubt you've all heard the expression, "Never judge a book by its cover." From The Britannica Dictionary:

Never Judge A Book by Its Cover 

Question

What is the meaning of "never judge a book by its cover"? — Kris, Mexico

Answer

The saying "never judge a book by its cover" or "don't judge a book by its cover" means that you shouldn't judge someone or something based only on what you see on the outside or only on what you perceive without knowing the full situation. It means that the outward appearance of something is not an indication of its value or worth.

 

It comes from the idea that you may see the cover of a book and decide it's not a good book or it's not worth reading without knowing anything else about it. It is used metaphorically when it is applied to other things such as a TV show, a person, a job, or a restaurant.

 

Here are some examples of how it is used:

 

Jim: Wow, you really want to go to a restaurant called 'Plain Burger'?

Joe: Hey, never judge a book by its cover! They may have delicious burgers!

 

Shawn: Look at those scrawny kids on the other team. This game should be easy for us to win.

John: Don't judge a book by its cover. They might be faster than us. We won't know until we play.

 

Yes, the phrase can refer to more than just books, but this is a book discussion, so I am referring to actual book covers.

When doing challenges, I often encounter reading categories that say, "Book with (something) on the cover" or "A cover (in a color)." So in a way, this allows me and other participants to judge a book by its cover.

What do you think when you see a book's cover? Does it turn you on or off? Do you even look at the cover before picking out a book? According to some, people should do this.

P.S. Read my blog tomorrow for an announcement.