Thread: Gob-smacked

At the Olympics, after winning the Gold Medal a minute or two ago in the 1500m - following her Gold in the 800m - Kelly Holmes said she was, "Gob-smacked".

I think I missed the joke.

Originally Posted by Линдзи

I think I missed the joke.

Actually not a joke. I just thought that 'gob-smacked might be an interesting word for a Russian speaker mastering their use of English. Sorry it’s no more entertaining than that

mabye they ment "god smacked"?

Originally Posted by Angel_of_Death-NZ

mabye they ment "god smacked"?

No that was Great Britain's Men's 4 x 100m relay team
(You will get my meaning if you saw the race)

What a win!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
But I'm really sorry you think anyone ought to learn the word gob-smacked. IMO it is horrible. More and more people are using it but it is singularly unattractive. There are so many other, better words to use. I was amazed...I was thrilled... I was so excited. Please all you people out there learning English - don't use the expression gob-smacked!

Mmm. 'Gob-smacked' when they win; 'gutted' when they lose.

The language is dying on its feet.

Originally Posted by joysof

Mmm. 'Gob-smacked' when they win; 'gutted' when they lose.

Originally Posted by joysof

The language is dying on its feet.

I guess you do have a point joysof! Maybe it's just evolution: social change reflected in linguistic behaviour. In Shaw's day he was able to use bloody as a shock-word in Pygmalion.

Originally Posted by BJ

But I'm really sorry you think anyone ought to learn the word gob-smacked

My view is that there is a difference between knowing the meaning of a common word and using it. 'Gob-smacked' is not a rude word or even a taboo word in any way. Although, clearly, I was sufficiently surprised by the athlete's use of the word, that I was propelled into writing my post. Bearing in mind that Kelly Holmes will go down in athletics history as one of the all-time greats, she can say whatever she likes, as long as it is not offensive, even if there are more eloquent alternatives

I do agree with you BJ there are alternatives worth considering but in informal situations you will often hear the word gob-smacked and long may it continue.

I know it's not rude or taboo, but it is ugly. It is used too much by athletes and footballers and people who are too lazy to find an alternative. If someone said 'Shut your gob' it would be considered insulting so why use it as part of an expression to show amazement. Please - don't encourage its use!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

FYI, Gob -smacked is a very recent appearance in US, and is pretty uncommon. It is much more common in England, which makes sense given that "gob" is not used for "mouth" in the US.

Originally Posted by BJ

I know it's not rude or taboo, but it is ugly. It is used too much by athletes and footballers and people who are too lazy to find an alternative. If someone said 'Shut your gob' it would be considered insulting so why use it as part of an expression to show amazement. Please - don't encourage its use!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Anyway, I agree with a Mike's view. I wanna speak right but also I want to understand people. For example, an expression "Хрена ты здесь торчишь" is rude but you ought to know the meaning if somebody is yelling this one to you.

That phrase is very uncommon. I can say that I have never heard anyone on the west coast say it, and we come up with some interesting phrases! I agree that it sounds very ugly and if I heard someone say it I would be shocked into silence. It's not one of those phrases you should need to know the meaning of and if you ever hear anyone say it--smack him.

Originally Posted by TiaraNEug

It's not one of those phrases you should need to know the meaning of

I'm interested TiaraNEug, what are some of the other phrases 'you should not need to now the meaning of'?

I hear it regularly, and don't find it offensive in any way. Do I win a prize?

Kelly Holmes is our local hero here in my town (in which she grew up) so she can say gob-smacked if she likes. In Britain it's a very common (particularly amongst sportsmen!) and not-at-all-offensive phrase. We need to remember the difference between colloquial/slang and offensive language.

Where did anyone say gobsmacked was offensive?

Oddo and Scotcher- No one said it was offensive. Not even once. Where did you guys come up with that?

And to be honest-I can't think of any "good" phrases or slang words that you don't ever need to know. I even asked my "native american-english" speaking friends and they couldn't help. It's one of those things where you just know. You know? Maybe not...

OK, allow me to rephrase...

I hear it regularly, and don't find it objectionable in any way. Do I win a prize?

no.

Originally Posted by TiaraNEug

And to be honest-I can't think of any "good" phrases or slang words that you don't ever need to know. I even asked my "native american-english" speaking friends and they couldn't help. It's one of those things where you just know.

I'm not sure I get your meaning TiaraNEug. Would you mind explaining a little bit more?