Etymology Journal · G
Go jump in a lake
Meaning
- A colorful, slightly rude way to tell someone to get lost. It implies that the person is being so annoying that the speaker wishes they would just disappear somewhere wet.
Sassy, impatient
Used in a sentence
- If he asks for another favor, I am going to tell him to go jump in a lake.
- I'm not doing your laundry, go jump in a lake.
- She told me to go jump in a lake when I suggested she practice more.
The backstory
The exact origins are unclear, but it is likely an American invention from the mid-20th century. The imagery of jumping into a body of water provides a nice, clear exit strategy for the unwanted person.
Heard in
Nationwide
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