Etymology Journal · W
What gives?
Meaning
- A casual way to ask for an explanation for a strange situation or a sudden change in behavior. It is brief and often used when someone feels confused or suspicious.
Inquisitive, casual
Used in a sentence
- You are heading home at noon? What gives?
- The car won't start and you just changed the battery? What gives?
- Why is everyone acting so quiet in here? What gives?
The backstory
It likely comes from the sense of someone 'giving' information or an account of their actions. It is a classic colloquial shorthand that gained popularity in the mid 20th century.
Heard in
Nationwide
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