Etymology Journal ยท R
Riddle me that
Meaning
- Used to pose a challenging question or highlight a contradiction in someone else's argument. It frames the situation as a curious puzzle.
Skeptical, dramatic
Used in a sentence
- If you say you were busy but I saw you at the park, riddle me that.
- He claims to love quiet time but owns three drum sets, so riddle me that.
- How can we be out of money when we just got paid, riddle me that?
The backstory
This is a variation of the classic riddle format often associated with fictional villains. It evolved into a colloquial way to demand an explanation for an illogical situation.
Heard in
Nationwide
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