The Archive

Etymology Journal · L

Look who's talking

Meaning

A sharp retort used to point out the hypocrisy of someone criticizing others for behavior they exhibit themselves. It effectively shuts down a lecture by highlighting the irony of the messenger.

Snarky, dismissive

Used in a sentence

  • He told me I was late again, and I said look who is talking.
  • When my brother told me to keep my room clean, I just said look who is talking.
  • Manager says we need to focus more, but look who is talking after his two hour lunch break.

The backstory

This phrase appeared in common parlance in the early 20th century. It evolved from the realization that people are often the loudest critics of their own bad habits.

Heard in

Nationwide

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