Or what? - Isn’t that so? This rhetorical question always follows a statement and serves either to emphasize its truth or indicate that its answer is obvious. For example, “Is this fun or what?” says emphatically that this pursuit is fun. As a slangy usage, it dates from the 1960s. However, the phrase can also be the last choice among a series of options, and this usage dates from the mid-1700s. For example, a diary entry by John Adams in 1766 stated, “In what is this man conspicuous? in reasoning? imagination? in painting? in the pathetic? or what?”
Related and Similar Terms, Proverbs, Expressions, and Idioms:
- Isn’t that the truth?: Emphasizing agreement with a statement.
- You bet!: Absolutely, without a doubt.
- To be or not to be: Though not quite the same, this famous phrase illustrates a dramatic choice.
- It goes without saying: Something so obvious it needn’t be stated.
- No-brainer: An easy decision that requires little to no thought.
Synonyms:
- Absolutely.
- For sure.
- Obviously.
Antonyms:
- Not quite.
- Maybe.
- Uncertainly.
Humor-filled Quotes:
- “Do you want to keep procrastinating or what?” - Procrastinator’s Anthem.
- “Cake for breakfast is the best idea, or what?” - Every Kid Ever.
- “Are you done with my money or what?” - Sincerely, Every Parent.
Literature, Books, Songs, Poetry, and Movies:
- Book: “Do You Want to Know a Secret?” by Mary Jane Clark – exploring some inevitable truths.
- Movie: “Surely You Jest!” - A comedy film where everything is taken literally.
- Song: “Ain’t That the Truth” by Ray Charles – for those unequivocal moments.
- Poetry: “Certainties; or what?” – A collection of humorous poems about the obvious, by Nora Wahse.
Quizzes:
“Always question the obvious. Because sometimes, the most obvious statements hold the most subtle truths. Or what?”
- Lang Uage, 2023
