don’t know from Adam 👔
Ever met someone and felt like you couldn’t pick them out of a lineup even if they were the last person on Earth? Well, you “don’t know them from Adam”—a classic idiom meaning you have no idea who they are! Let’s unpack this gem and perhaps even get to know Adam himself a bit better (Who is Adam? We’ll get to that!).
Definitions:
- Don’t know from Adam: To be completely unfamiliar with someone.
- Know from Adam: An expression emphasizing complete lack of recognition.
Similar Terms and Expressions:
- Stranger Danger: While often used in a cautionary sense, it also conveys unfamiliarity.
- An unknown quantity: Someone whose characteristics are not yet known.
- Who’s that guy?: Simple but equally effective.
Contextual Examples:
- “They introduced me to the CEO, but to be honest, I don’t know him from Adam.”
- “Is that your cousin’s friend? I wouldn’t know him from Adam!”
Synonyms:
- Unknown: Having no knowledge about someone or something.
- Anonymous: Not identified by name.
Antonyms:
- Familiar: Well known from long or close association.
- Recognized: Identified from knowledge of appearance or characteristics.
A Dash of Humor:
- “I swear if Adam handed Eve an apple nowadays, she’d probably ask Siri who he is first.”
Inspirational Quotations:
- “It is amazing what you can accomplish if you do not care who knows you from Adam.” — A (If Adam were motivational speaker)
Proverbs and References:
- Better the devil you know than the devil you don’t: Better to deal with someone familiar, even if they are not ideal, than to deal with someone unknown.
- Keep your friends close, but your enemies closer: Being unfamiliar with your adversaries is far more dangerous.
Cultural and Literary References:
- The original Adam, of course! This Adam of Biblical fame means the expression packs an ancient punch.
Recommended Reads and Watches 📚🎬:
- Book: “Who’s Who and Why It Matters” by N. Identifiable
- Poem: “Faces of Strangers” by William Whoknew
- Movie: “Unknown” starring Liam Neeson – not Adam, but might as well be!
- Song: “Who Are You” by The Who
### Which of these phrases means you have no idea who someone is?
- [x] Don’t know from Adam
- [ ] Friends in high places
- [ ] Writing on the wall
- [ ] Jumping the gun
> **Explanation:** "Don’t know from Adam" means having no familiarity with someone at all. The others are different idioms entirely.
### What is an antonym for 'don’t know from Adam'?
- [ ] Mysterious
- [x] Familiar
- [ ] Anonymous
- [ ] Oblivious
> **Explanation:** The opposite of not knowing someone is being familiar with them.
### True or False: 'Don’t know from Adam' originates from the story of Adam and Eve in the Bible.
- [x] True
- [ ] False
> **Explanation:** True! The idiom refers to the biblical Adam, underscoring that someone is as unknown to a person as the very first man.
### Which idiom fits someone completely unfamiliar to you?
- [ ] Known quantity
- [x] Unknown quantity
- [ ] Inside man
- [ ] Familiar face
> **Explanation:** An "unknown quantity" fits the bill of someone who’s entirely unfamiliar.
### What lighthearted scenario was used in the text for recognizing Adam in modern times?
- [ ] Using an atlas
- [ ] Asking Alexa
- [x] Asking Siri
- [ ] Googling it
> **Explanation:** The humorous reference suggested that if Adam handed Eve an apple today, she'd probably ask Siri who he is first.
Inspirational Thought-Provoking Farewell: Even though we might not know someone from Adam today, who knows? Tomorrow, they could be our closest confidant. So, keep your mind and heart open—familiarity often begins with a simple hello.
