Etymology Journal · W
What a small world
Meaning
- This is said when you unexpectedly encounter someone you know in a place where you did not expect to see them. It emphasizes the feeling that our social circles overlap more than we think.
Surprised, friendly
Used in a sentence
- You know my sister? What a small world!
- Running into you in Tokyo? What a small world.
- We grew up in the same town? What a small world.
The backstory
This has been a common observation for centuries. It became a popular idiomatic phrase in the 20th century, cemented by the Disneyland ride song of the same name.
Heard in
Nationwide
Vibe check