Etymology Journal ยท K
Knock me down and call me shorty!
Meaning
- An expression of extreme surprise or disbelief. It is the verbal equivalent of a jaw dropping to the floor.
Exclamatory, humorous
Used in a sentence
- Well, knock me down and call me shorty, I never thought he would win the lottery!
- Knock me down and call me shorty, I cannot believe you finally finished that project.
- If they actually show up on time, well, knock me down and call me shorty.
The backstory
This is a classic piece of Southern and rural colloquialism. It uses self-deprecating humor to emphasize how shocked the speaker is by a piece of news.
Heard in
The South
Vibe check