❓ Come Again? Understanding the Art of Surprise and Disbelief 🌟
Come again?
What did you say? Did I hear you correctly? This phrase, dating from about 1900, usually implies surprise or disbelief, as in “‘Her science teacher doesn’t believe in evolution.’ ‘Come again? That can’t be true.’”
Related and Similar Terms
- Pardon?: A polite way to ask someone to repeat what they just said when you didn’t hear or understand it.
- Excuse me?: Similar to “Pardon?”, but can also signal disbelief or astonishment.
- Say what?: A more casual and often incredulous way to ask for repetition, indicating surprise.
- You what?: Even more informal, often used among friends to express surprise or doubt.
Proverbs and Expressions
Familiar Faces in the World of Repetition:
- “Once more, with feeling!”: often used humorously to suggest another attempt at something needs more enthusiasm.
- “I beg your pardon?”: A very polite way to ask for repetition, dating back centuries.
Quotes to Tickle Your Funny Bone
- “I’m sorry, did you say something intelligent or am I needing a replay?” – Anon
- “Come again? I must be having a ‘selective hearing’ crisis.” – Unknown
Literature, Books, Songs, Poetry, and Movies
Quirky Enlightenments:
- Book: The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams – Filled with humorous dialogues of surprise and disbelief.
- Song: “Can You Repeat That?” by Baxter Drury – Capturing the essence of miscommunication.
- Poetry: Jabberwocky by Lewis Carroll – Offers a playful twist to language and meaning.
- Movie: Dumb and Dumber – Packed with idiomatic incredulity and laughter.
Quizzes
### Which phrase is most likely used for clarification?
- [x] Come again?
- [ ] Swim with the ducks
- [ ] Fly with the bats
- [ ] Croak like a frog
> **Explanation:** "Come again?" is used to ask someone to repeat what they just said, often due to surprise or disbelief.
### True or False: The phrase "come again?" typically expresses disbelief.
- [x] True
- [ ] False
> **Explanation:** Correct! "Come again?" often implies surprise or disbelief.
### What would typically follow the phrase “Come again?”
- [ ] Silence
- [x] Repetition of the statement
- [ ] Random gibberish
- [ ] A deep bow
> **Explanation:** The phrase "Come again?" typically invites the other person to repeat their statement.
### Which of these situations might elicit a "Come again?" response?
- [x] "The sky is actually green today."
- [ ] "I think I'm going to watch TV."
- [ ] "Pass me the remote, please."
- [ ] "Hello, it's evening."
> **Explanation:** Such an unexpected statement like "The sky is actually green today" would likely prompt surprise and disbelief, making "Come again?" a fitting response.
Inspirational and Thought-Provoking Farewell
In the grand game of communication, never shy away from asking for clarity. Sometimes the most profound discoveries come from a simple, “Come again?” Remember, the clarity of thought and speech can bridge worlds of understanding. 📚✨
Happy idiom-exploring!
— Lexi Wordsmith
