🤷♂️ See No From Adam: Don’t Know Him From a Hole in the Ground 🤷♀️
Definition
To “see no from Adam” or the more common “not to know someone from Adam” means to have absolutely no idea who someone is, to be completely unfamiliar with someone, often implying that the person in question could be anyone. The phrase highlights the innocence or anonymity of the person being referenced.
Synonyms
- To be in the dark about someone
- To be oblivious to someone’s identity
- To be none the wiser about someone
- To not have the faintest idea about someone
Antonyms
- To know someone like the back of your hand
- To be well-acquainted with someone
- To be familiar with someone through and through
Similar Terms and Expressions
- “Not to know someone from Adam’s off ox”: An American extension of the phrase, equally emphasizing unfamiliarity.
- “To not know your elbow from your ear”: Another humorous way of saying someone is clueless or inexperienced.
Proverbs and Common Sayings
- “Stranger danger”: Often used in a more serious context to advise caution around unfamiliar people.
- “He could be anyone” : Implies someone is so unknown that he or she might as well be anonymous.
Humor-Filled Quotes
- “If I had a nickel for every stranger I didn’t know—well, I’d have a lot of nickels and no idea who gave them to me.”
- “They say everyone is famous for fifteen minutes. But some people are just famous for fifteen minutes of ‘Who the heck is that?’”
Literary References
- “Catch-22” by Joseph Heller: Featuring characters who are often navigating mistaken identities and misunderstandings, making it a comically chaotic read.
- “Waiting for Godot” by Samuel Beckett: Characters wait for someone they don’t know, embodying a deep sense of absurdity and anonymity.
Movies
- “The Talented Mr. Ripley”: A tale of identity and anonymity, where characters often play into mistaken or assumed roles.
- “Unknown”: A movie centered around the theme of not knowing one’s own identity, let alone strangers’.
Songs
- “Who Are You” by The Who: An apt backdrop to the struggle of establishing identity.
- “Hello Stranger” by Barbara Lewis: A nostalgic tune about sudden but sweet introductions.
### Which of these means to be completely unfamiliar with someone?
- [x] See no from Adam
- [ ] Frying with two pans
- [ ] Sailing in a moon bubble
- [ ] Playing piano in a bathtub
> **Explanation:** To "see no from Adam" or "not know someone from Adam" is a phrase that conveys total unfamiliarity with a person.
### Which is a real extension of the phrase "not to know someone from Adam"?
- [x] Not to know someone from Adam's off ox
- [ ] Not to know someone from Adam's dirty laundry
- [ ] Not to know someone from Adam's midnight snack
- [ ] Not to know someone from Adam's song on the gramophone
> **Explanation:** "Not to know someone from Adam's off ox" is a recognized American extension of the original phrase.
### True or False: 'Not to know your elbow from your ear' means the same as 'not to know someone from Adam'
- [x] True
- [ ] False
> **Explanation:** Both phrases imply a level of cluelessness or unfamiliarity, making them synonymous in layman's terms.
### Which book creatively deals with themes of mistaken identity and anonymity?
- [x] Catch-22 by Joseph Heller
- [ ] Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë
- [ ] Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
- [ ] 1984 by George Orwell
> **Explanation:** "Catch-22" is prominently filled with characters constantly navigating mistaken identity and misunderstanding, fitting the theme well.
As we wrap up, remember: every stranger is just a friend you haven’t met—or perhaps an Adam you haven’t identified yet! Until next time, keep discovering the beautifully baffling world of clichés.
Yours linguistically,
W. T. Wittywords
