strange to say

Bafflingly; surprisingly; atypically. Strange to say, it turned out that we both knew John, but had met him in two different parts of the world. He seemed happy that the police caught him, strange to say. Their newest device, is strange to say, a slight step back when it comes to performance and design.

strange to say

Also, strangely enough. Surprisingly, curiously, unaccountably, as in Strange to say, all the boys in his class are six feet tall or taller, or I've never been to the circus, strangely enough. This idiom was first recorded in 1697 as strange to relate.

See also: say, strange, to

The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer. Copyright © 2003, 1997 by The Christine Ammer 1992 Trust. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

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References in periodicals archive

It may sound strange to say that you can add one and get the number you started out with, but the reason that this is true is that infinity isn't a normal kind of number like six or 100.

Dr MATHS with Steve Humble; Dear Dr Maths, My son says that every time he tries to beat his friend in an argument by saying he's 'right times infinity', his friend says he's 'right times infinity plus one' and wins. He'd like to know if you can tell him a bigger number so he can win the argument! KRISTIE, via e-mail

It sounds strange to say, but the book changed her outlook on life," News of the World quoted a friend as saying.

Book 'changes' Kelly Brook's outlook on life

It sounds strange to say it but if Brazil do win, it won't be down to the quality of their football as much as the physical side of their game.

Maradona will ruin Argentina's hopes

It might seem strange to say that it could have been worse.

Economy growth a sign for optimism?

Now, I'm one of the most stupidly superstitious people anyone is liable to meet and the thought of having surgery in the neck area on the 13th of any month wasn't helped when I read in the paper on the way to the hospital that August is the worst possible month to have an operation in any hospital anywhere, because of the new intake of doctors and nurses, etc!But, thanks to Mr Gibbons and his team, not forgetting a wonderful lady anaesthetist, it was a relatively, strange to say, pleasant experience!

Letter: I couldn't fault my treatment at hospital

Strong, guick, great in the air, Joe has everything and sometimes it is as if he finds life in the Premiership too easy, which may seem strange to say. He has such tremendous talent and it now seems as if he has stopped those lapses in concentration.

Football: Joe has top talent to see off Anelka

"There was clear daylight between the two of them but how our player - from being in front - can pull his opponent's jersey is strange to say the least.

Football: Gus touchy with untouchables

"Strange to say," he writes, "but Yahweh is a rather insecure fellow." He's peevish, demanding, irrational.

YOU'RE TOO KIND: A Brief History of Flattery

"It is strange to say it but at the start of the season we just wanted to stay in the league and then compete next season but with us competing this year, it shows that we will be able to compete next year.

Premier winner Upton knows East won't derail Star unless they are more clinical; Amateur League

"I know it is strange to say that, for someone who is only 22, but I think it is the way you see him performing week in, week out.

Lukaku may be involved in Anfield derby clash

It's strange to say it, but I can't see United doing too much in the derby and I think the 3/1 available on Manchester City -1 goal is an absolute steal.

FALSE DAWN; Champions League win is flash in pan

IT seems strange to say it, but the highlight of the evening and indeed the entire Welsh Proms season was a quintessentially English work.

REVIEW #1; Last Night of the Welsh Proms, St David's Hall

It seems strange to say it of a match between two occupants of the relegation zone but, with both sides positive again after a tough few months, Tuesday's game could be a real cracker.

Daggers will be drawn for crucial clash

McDonald (Letters, November 16) listing the people I have insulted is a little strange to say the least, as throughout he resorts to wild inaccurate assumptions littered with insults.

Pen points