The Archive

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

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