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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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