* A large majority: They are exaggerating to emphasize a widespread opinion or belief.
* A specific group: The speaker is referring to a particular community or population, even if they don't explicitly mention it. For example, "Everybody knows that the Earth is round." This statement likely refers to people who are educated and have access to information, not everyone in the world.
* The speaker's opinion: The speaker is using "everybody" to express their personal viewpoint. It's a way of trying to make their opinion sound more universal and accepted.
It's important to be critical when you hear someone use "everybody." Ask yourself:
* Who exactly are they talking about?
* Is there evidence to support this claim?
* Could there be other perspectives or opinions on this?
It's often better to use more specific language instead of "everybody." For example, instead of saying "Everybody likes pizza," you could say "Many people like pizza." This avoids the absoluteness of "everybody" and allows for the possibility of different opinions.