Is That Really So? 🤨
One can almost see the quizzical eyebrow hitching up in disbelief or the sarcastic smirk gracing someone’s lips as they utter this gem of skeptical inquiry. The early nineteenth century saw this phrase take root in the English language, kicking off its long tenure in conversational English.
Related Expressions:
- Do tell!
- You don’t say!
- No kidding!
- For real?
Synonyms:
- Seriously?
- Astonishing!
Antonyms:
- Obviously
- Indubitably
Humorous Quotes: “Is that really so? Next you’ll tell me pigs are flying business class.”
Proverbs & Expressions: “Believe nothing of what you hear, and only half of what you see.” This underscores the skepticism inherent in the phrase.
Literary References:
- John Neal’s The Down-Easters (1833): “George Middleton, hey?—do tell!—is that his name?”
Songs:
- “Rumor Has It” – Adele; this song plays with skepticism, curiosity, and disbelief in the context of spreading rumors.
Movies:
- The Invention of Lying (2009): A film where characters display relentless skepticism and disbelief in a world where lying doesn’t exist.
Inspirational Thought: “In the pursuit of truth, one cannot afford to let skepticism be vanquished by blind faith.”
🍏 Apples and Oranges: And Other Analogous Oddities 🍊
The Dictionary of ClichĂ©s: A Word Lover’s Guide to Overused Phrases and Almost-Pleasing Platitudes
Categories:
- Fun with Language
- Clichés
Tags:
- language
- clichés
- comparisons
- humor
Author: W. T. Wittywords
Date: 2023-10-01
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“Until next time, may your words be carefully chosen and your expressions always timely.” — W. T. Wittywords
