Etymology Journal · S
Say what now?
Meaning
- A casual, slightly baffled way of asking someone to repeat themselves because what they said was confusing or shocking. It is a polite way of saying you did not quite follow the logic.
Confused, casual
Used in a sentence
- The price of a cup of coffee is how much? Say what now?
- Say what now? I think I misheard you when you mentioned the timeline.
- We have to be there at four in the morning? Say what now?
The backstory
This is a modern colloquial expansion of simple requests for repetition. It functions as a way to buy time while your brain processes something surprising.
Heard in
Nationwide
Vibe check