The Archive

Etymology Journal · W

What a coincidence!

Meaning

This phrase notes the strange timing of two events occurring simultaneously. It is often said with a skeptical tone when someone does not actually believe the events are unrelated.

Skeptical, observant

Used in a sentence

  • You showed up exactly when I was complaining about you. What a coincidence!
  • We both bought the same shirt. What a coincidence.
  • Oh, you are going to the same park at the same time? What a coincidence.

The backstory

It is a standard English construction derived from the mathematical concept of coincidence. It became a common idiom for social recognition in the early 20th century.

Heard in

Nationwide

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