Green’s Dictionary of Slang

(US black) a dismissive phr. suggesting that nothing you say is of the slightest importance.

1971		H.E. Roberts Third Ear n.p.: ain’t sayin(g) nothin(g) phrase referring to a matter or person of little merit, respect, or value.
1972		D. Claerbaut Black Jargon in White America 87: you ain’t sayin’ nothin’ Your opinion is worthless; your words are of no substance or importance.

(US black) gossip, chatter, loose talk.

1972		Hall & Adelman Gentleman of Leisure 114: If somebody did something with him sexually and told another girl, he’d make that girl come down and do the same thing. That’s punishment for ‘he-say, she-say’.
1980		J.L. Gwaltney Drylongso 64: I know how to tell things, without any who-shot-John or he-said-she-said.
1990		M. McAlary Crack War (1991) 89: ‘What you saying about me, saying I was a traitor, going for the money with Todd?’ [...] ‘That’s he-say, she-say talk,’ Sphinx replied.
1995		L. Stavsky et al. A2Z 47/1: he-said-she-said – n. gossip, rumors.

a teasing phr. orig. used by women to men but latterly by either sex; it follows a compliment or ‘line’; thus fig. ext. to any person.

1934		Collier’s 94 12: ‘I’ll bet you say that to all the girls,’ I suggested, but Mr. Sutter ignored my pleasantry.
1942		Amer. Mag. 134 91/2: To deflate a fast worker who thinks he’s the Army’s (or Navy’s) gift to women [...] ‘I’ll bet you say that to all the girls’.
1945		Yank 4 41/2: I’ll bet you say that to all the boys. Don’t try any of that stuff on me.
1967		O. Peck Sex life of a Cop 15: ‘I bet you say that to all the girls,’ she kidded.
1977		Meat Loaf ‘You Took The Words Right Out Of My Mouth’ 🎵 on Bat Out of Hell [album] Boy: Would you offer your throat to the wolf with the red roses? Girl: Yes. Boy: I bet you say that to all the boys!
1994		Kander & Ebb ‘You Could Never Shame Me’ 🎵 on Kiss of the Spiderwoman [soundtrack album] mother: A good son sees his poor old mother through her old age; he doesn’t leave her for a tummy ache! molina: You’re not old...You’re still beautiful. mother: I bet you say that to all the girls!
2001		’I Bet You Say That to All the Hacks’ Baltimore City Paper Online Nov. 19–25 🌐 I bet you say that to all the boys.

(orig. US) absolutely, definitely, I couldn’t agree more.

1919		T.A. Dorgan in Zwilling TAD Lex. (1993) 48: (IS: Listening and wondering as the fat dame introduces her new young husband to her relatives for the first time) She’s a dude at findin’ em — ain’t she? I’ll say she is.
1920		Le Meschacébé (Lucy, LA) 10 Apr. 7/1: ‘Did you have any luck at the game last night? ‘I’ll say so’.
1921		E. Ferber ‘The Afternoon of a Faun’ in One Basket (1947) 142: ‘I’ll say!’ agreed Nick.
1929		C. Coe Hooch! 148: ‘How about a little drink, Dutch?’ [...] ‘I’ll say so!’ Slenk agreed.
1939		Skegness Standard 8 Feb. 5/1: ‘And didn’t they tell themselves off when the time came?’ ‘I’ll say so!’ .
1941		F. Sargeson ‘That Summer’ in Coll. Stories (1965) 155: I’ll say, he said. I bet you have, I said.
1958		Southern & Hoffenberg Candy (1970) 41: ‘Liv’s in one of her moods’ [...] ‘I’ll say!’.
1977		(con. 1940s) O. Manning Danger Tree 92: ‘Any questions?’ ‘I’ll say there are,’ Ridley whispered to Simon.
1999		K. Sampson Powder 52: ‘There’s nothing usual about what I’m proposing ...’ ‘I’ll say.’.
2024		J. Meades Empty Wigs (t/s) 520: Tamara wrote in English and translated herself into Flemish and French. Daunting? ‘I’ll say! Not ‘arf!’.

(US black) a phr. of agreement, affirmation.

2000		Ebonics Primer at www.dolemite.com 🌐 ‘I’m saying doe’ Definition: to concur or agree ie: I second that, short for word up. Example: Yo mike need to stop tripping, I’m saying doe.
2001		Eble Campus Sl. Fall 4: FOR REAL – expression of agreement: [...] Also I’M SAYIN’, TRUE DAT.

1. to say something important and true.

1823		Scots Mag. 7 Dec. 60/2: It was the first time he had ever been heard to speak a mouthful of sense.
1866		Irish Times 22 May 4/3: It was not his intention to speak a mouthful of moonshine.
1895		Royal Cornwall Gaz. 14 Nov. 5/2: A witness [...] assured the Bench that no one could speak a ‘mouthful’ of harm against her.
1913–14		Van Loan ‘Easy Picking’ in Taking the Count 314: A feller told me once [...] that all the wise guys in the cities came in from the small towns. He sure said an armful then.
1914		T.A. Dorgan Indoor Sports 10 Sept. [synd. cartoon] You said a page full. Turn over.
1917		Van Loan ‘Levelling with Elisha’ in Old Man Curry 31: ‘You spoke an armful then!’ said the Kid. [Ibid.] ‘The Redemption Handicap’ 180: Ain’t it the truth! [...] You surely spoke a mouthful then!
1920		R. Lardner Big Town 233: Some egg in the gallery hollered ‘You said a mouthful, kid!’.
1921		N. Putnam West Broadway 35: ‘You are of the people yourself.’ ‘You said a mouthful! [...] I was raised on Avenue A and in [...] cheap theaters all my young life’.
1930		W.R. Burnett Iron Man 19: ‘Coke’s got a chance.’ ‘You said a mouthful,’ said Regan.
1940		W.R. Burnett High Sierra in Four Novels (1984) 394: You said a mouthful, Marie.
1963		(con. 1944) L. Glassop Rats in New Guinea 197: To use one of your phrases, you’ve said a mouthful.
1964		J. Thompson Pop. 1280 in Four Novels (1983) 395: You shorely spoke a mouthful there, Nick.
1978		H. Selby Jr Requiem for a Dream (1987) 16: Now you have just said a mouthful, mah man.
2002		D.H. Sterry Chicken (2003) 98: ‘You’re a very old soul . . .’ concludes Rainbow. You said a mouthful there, sister.

2. to talk at length, esp. critically.

1929

W.R. Burnett Little Caesar (1932) 26: You said a mouthful.

3. (gay) to reprove a fellow homosexual in detail and at great length.

1941		G. Legman ‘Lang. of Homosexuality’ Appendix VII in Henry Sex Variants.
1965		Guild Dict. Homosexual Terms 40: say a mouthful (v.): The reprimand of one homosexual for another, usually at great length, as in ‘To lay (one) to filth.’ The term, with a somewhat different meaning, is said to have come into the popular language from the homosexual.
1972		(ref. to 1940s) B. Rodgers Queens’ Vernacular 177: say a mouthful (rare, ’40s) to severely rebuke.

to denigrate, to give a ‘bad character’.

1824		J. Wight Mornings at Bow Street 104: [S]he has so conducted herself that no living creature can say, ‘black is the white of her eye’—at least that is her opinion.
1844		D. Corcoran (ed.) Pickings from the [...] N.O. Picayune 42: Her own Rory, who’d knock saucepans out of any spalpeen that ’ud say black is the white of her eye.

see holler calf-rope under holler v.

see tell it like it is under tell v.

(juv.) synon, with older say no more, an indication that a proposal is so excellent that it requires no further debate.

2024

Axis Parents’ Guide to Teen Sl. 🌐 .

(US black) to talk trivially.

1959

Jazz: A Quarterly of Amer. Music Summer 201: He’d say, ‘he ain’t sayin’ nothin’’.

(US) to make an important statement, to say something profound; lit. or fig.

1919		H.C. Witwer Smile A Minute 68: You said somethin’!
1921		P. & T. Casey Gay-cat 24: ‘That your dog, Kid?’ he greeted. The kid halted [...] ‘You’ve said something, bo,’ he answered.
1930		R. Irvin ‘The Smythes’ [comic strip] You said somethin’, Pop.
1949		R. Park Poor Man’s Orange 70: She’d better say something, that’s all. I’ll tell her a few things. She can talk.
1959		Jazz for Moderns 21: saying something: producing something of value (‘That cat is saying something!’ This could pertain to a good musician, actor, driver, shoemaker, etc.).
1961		Jazz Rev. Jan. 6: Basie is also an admirer of Martin Luther King: ‘Like the cats would put it, he’s saying something.’.
1968		‘Hy Lit’ Hy Lit’s Unbelievable Dict. of Hip Words 34: sayin’ something – Very good; you dig it; pleasing.
1971		E.E. Landy Underground Dict. (1972).

see cry uncle under uncle n.

(US) an expression of mock disbelief, e.g. what did you say? are you telling the truth?

1917		Van Loan ‘Egyptian Corn’ in Old Man Curry 238: ‘Are you going to bet on him?’ ‘Says which?’ Shanghai showed a double row of glistening ivories.
1930		L. Barry blackface dialogue in Tosches (2001) n.p.: ‘I suppose you read in today’s papers about the big robbery on Main Street, Emmett?’ ‘Says which?’.
1940		R. Chandler Farewell, My Lovely (1949) 13: ‘How long’s this coop been a dinge joint?’ ‘Says which?’.
1978		J. Webb Fields of Fire (1980) 263: ‘How many people do you know who rotated without getting hit?’ Cannonball scowled [...] ‘Say what?’.
1987		‘Joe Bob Briggs’ Joe Bob Goes to the Drive-In 1: Banned in Dallas? Say what, boy?
1997		Simon & Burns Corner (1998) 163: Suddenly the man in the black robes is running wild, talking fifteen and no parole. Say what? Who changed the rules?
2001		Sydney Morning Herald (Aus.) 6 Jan. n.p.: So here’s a tentative guide to Sydney teenspeak: [...] Say what? (repeat that, I don’t understand).
2014		M. McBride Swollen Red Sun 149: ‘We need ta get rid of that crazy old goat fucker’ [...] ‘Say what? You’d hafta take out the whole family’.

a formula used when pouring someone else a drink, i.e. say when you want me to stop pouring.

1889		Modern Society 6 June n.p.: ‘Say when,’ said Bonko, taking up a flagon of whiskey and commencing to pour out the spirit into my glass. ‘Bob!’ replied I [F&H].
1904		G.B. Shaw John Bull’s Other Island Act I: broadbent: [pouring whisky] Say when.
1914		Joyce ‘A Little Cloud’ Dubliners (1956) 73: ‘Water? Say when.’ Little Chandler allowed his whisky to be very much diluted.
1925		Wodehouse Carry on, Jeeves 115: Rocky took up the decanter. ‘Say when, Bertie.’ ‘Stop!’ barked the aunt.
1938		W. Watson Miss Pettigrew Lives For A Day (2000) 149: Miss Pettigrew brought glasses. ‘Say when,’ said Michael.
1940		D. Thomas ‘Where the Tawe Flows’ in Portrait of the Artist as a Young Dog 134-5: ‘More parsnip?’ ‘It goes down the throat like silk, Mr Evans.’ ‘Like baby’s milk.’ ‘Say when, Mr Roberts’.
1991		R. Doyle Van (1998) 498: He showed her the vinegar bottle. – Say when, he said.

(US) a comment that suggests the speaker’s disbelief in another’s attestation.

1947		Desert Sun (CA) 14 Jan. 4/4: Coni Tilghman went to Yosemite over Christmas vacation. New Years Eve she attended the Ahwahnee (that’s what she said!).
c.1949		Eagle Valley Enterprise (CA) 4 Feb. 1/1: Ye Gads! I had no idea there were so many early risers in the world—5:30 a. m. (groan) in California, that’s what the lady from Long Beach said; That's what she said!
2008		Jagwire (Falls Church, VA) 8 Feb. 11: This prank is suffering the same fate as once-popular, now straggling phrases, such as ‘your mom,’ ‘that’s what she said,’ and ‘awkward sea turtle’ .
2011		Heights (Boston College) 8 Dec. C2: After 2 A.M., even if she didn’t actually say it, “that’s what she said” comments are fair game.

(US) how are you?

1948		(con. 1944) N. Mailer Naked and Dead 275: How the old married man [...] what do ya say?
1949		‘Hal Ellson’ Duke 23: ‘What do you say, man!’ I say. ‘What’s doing?’.
1957		M. Shulman Rally Round the Flag, Boys! (1959) 142: Grady, whaddya say?
1960, 1975		Wentworth & Flexner DAS 573/2: What do you say? A conventional greeting that needs no reply [...] Common since c.1920.
1965		J. Thompson Texas by the Tail (1994) 154: What d’you say, Mitch?
1976		H. Selby Jr Demon (1979) 69: Hi, whatta ya say?
1986		H. Selby Jr Song of the Silent Snow (1988) 69: Whatta ya say Ron [...] what’s happening?

(US black) a euph. for an obscenity.

1980

J.L. Gwaltney Drylongso 220: Nowadays blackfolks just ain’ happy ’less they got some bukra peepin’ in they what-I-might-say! [Ibid.] 168: She would rather sit on her do-nothing-stool and take all that what-I-might-say.

1. (orig. US) what did you say? what was that? what do you think?; occas. as excl.

1825		J. Neal Brother Jonathan I 357: ‘Was he hurt, uncle Harwood?’ ‘What-say?’.
1891		M.E. Wilkins New England Nun 31: Well, what say! [DA].
1920		B. Cronin Timber Wolves 312: What say, Jack? Shall we go home right away?
1921		P. & T. Casey Gay-cat 155: A thousand bucks wot we’ll split fiftyfifty. Wot say, Kid?
1927		(con. 1918) J. Stevens Mattock 297: Le’s go ’er together. What say?
1929		T. Wolfe Look Homeward, Angel (1930) 485: ‘What say?’ she asked sharply.
1938		X. Herbert Capricornia (1939) 78: I don’t give a damn what he said. Takim back. Here’s some baccy — now then — what say?
1957		C. MacInnes City of Spades (1964) 43: What say, man? You like a glass of rum?
1970		‘Red’ Rudensky Gonif 95: It’s a big, tough one. What say?
1981		J. Elllroy Brown’s Requiem 36: ‘Let's get together soon, Fritz. Dinner, what say?’.

2. used as a greeting.

1928		Randolph & Pingry ‘Kansas University Sl.’ in AS III:3 221: What say? v.phr.—A form of greeting.
1945		C. Himes If He Hollers 141: ‘What say, Don,’ I greeted, coming up. ‘How’s things breaking?’.
1964		E. Shrake But Not For Love 85: ‘What say, Burney,’ said Iles. ‘What say, Jacob,’ Burney said. ‘Can I buy you a drink?’.

(Aus.) teasing (rhetorical) qn aimed at someone whose actiona could be considered immoral.

1961

(con. WWII) X. Herbert Soldiers’ Women (1978) 54: ‘I drink neat whisky, lassie’ ‘Okay!’ ‘Atta-girlie! But what will they say at the Y.W.C.A.?’.

(orig. US) a phr. underlining the speaker’s agreement with the previous statement.

1943		J. O’Hara ‘The Lieutenant’ in New Yorker 13 Nov. 22/3: ‘Well, everything’s publicity nowadays, I guess,’ said Red. ‘You can say that again,’ said Haley.
1947		(con. 1944) J.H. Burns Gallery (1948) 112: You can say that again, Father!
1953		W. Fisher Waiters 258: ‘You can say that again,’ Rowden finally said.
1957		H. Simmons Corner Boy 93: ‘They ain’t never seen nothing like Perk.’ ‘You can say that again.’.
1968		S. Gore Holy Smoke 36: You can say that again!
1969		R. Rendell Best Man To Die (1981) 94: ‘Folks buy new stuff, they don’t want this reconditioned rubbish.’ ‘You can say that again,’ said Wexford.
1970		A. Sillitoe Start in Life (1979) 120: ‘That was a close call,’ he said. [...] I laughed hysterically. ‘You can say that again.’.
1977		(con. 1941) R. Beilby Gunner 137: ‘Ya can say that again’ he invited glumly.
1982		J. Sullivan ‘The Yellow Peril’ Only Fools and Horses [TV script] You can say that again.

a heavily sarcastic response to a statement of the obvious.

1798		T. Morton Speed the Plough II ii: handy, jun.: I rather fancy I can plough better than any man in England. sir abel: You don’t say so!
1802		G. Colman Yngr Poor Gentleman I i: No! You don’t say so?
1828		J. Thomson An Uncle Too Many I i: No! you don’t say so!
1828		R.M. Bird City Looking Glass V i: You don’t say so! the doctor!
1837		‘The Romance of a Day’ in Bentley’s Misc. June 573: Mercy on us! you don’t say so?
1841		D. Boucicault London Assurance in London Assurance and other Victorian Comedies (2001) Act II: courtly: (aside) Why, that’s is my governor, by Jupiter! dazzle: (aside) What, old whiskers! You don’t say that!
1842		S. Lover Handy Andy 296: You don’t say so!
1843		‘Madison Tensas’ Louisiana ‘Swamp Doctor’ (1850) 150: Exclamations of [...] ‘Lordy grashus!’ and ‘Well, did you ever!’ and ‘You don’t say so!’.
c.1850		F.M. Whitcher Widow Bedott Papers (1883) 66: You don’t say so, elder! well, I declare, I do feel relieved.
1859		E. Eden Semi-Detached House (1979) 36: You don’t say so!
1866		Wild Boys of London I 208/1: Oh, Lor! ’ee don’t zay so.
1870		Old Hunks in Darkey Drama 5 47: tommy: Dis is full of money! harry: You don’t say so?
1871		E. Eggleston Hoosier School-Master (1892) 160: ‘It was called Nazareth, which means ‘Bushtown’.’ ‘You don’t say?’.
1877		J. Greenwood Dick Temple I 242: ‘You don’t say so,’ whispered back Mr. Eggshells, with a sort of disgust.
1883		G.W. Peck Peck’s Bad Boy and His Pa (1887) 83: ‘Sho! You don’t say so,’ says the grocery man.
1891		F. Harris ‘A Modern Idyll’ in Elder Conklin & Other Stories (1895) 115: ‘You don’t tell!’ she exclaimed.
1897		W.S. Maugham Liza of Lambeth (1966) 121: ‘You don’t say so,’ replied her affectionate mother.
1899		R. Whiteing No. 5 John Street 150: You don’t say so; why I’m going to a meeting at his mother’s house.
1900		Boys Of The Empire 25 Dec. 188: You don’t say!
1908		H. Green Maison De Shine 269: ‘All the gelmun’s as full as goats, Mis’ Trippit!’ [...] ‘You don’t say!’.
1914		M. Glass Abe and Mawruss 52: ‘You don’t say so!’ Morris cried.
1917		Wodehouse ‘Extricating Young Gussie’ in Man with Two Left Feet 29: the chappie: (sceptically) You don’t say!
1920		‘Sapper’ Bulldog Drummond 73: ‘Are you aware that this man is a guest of mine, and sick?’ ‘You don’t say,’ remarked the leader.
1923		G.D.H. & M. Cole Brooklyn Murders (1933) 46: ‘I should like to know approximately what Sir Vernon is worth.’ ‘Not far short of a million.’ ‘You don’t say so.’.
1930		K.S. Prichard Haxby’s Circus 41: ‘You don’t say,’ Dan pattered.
1937		P. Cheyney Dames Don’t Care (1960) 94: ‘They should have called you Lousy, it would have matched up better.’ ‘You don’t say,’ I tell her.
1944		L. Glassop We Were the Rats 7: The second girl said ‘Aw gee. You don’t say?’ and the first girl said ‘Spit me death.’.
1959		D. Niland Big Smoke 150: Well, you don’t say.
1965		F.J. Hardy Yarns of Billy Borker 63: Pumpkins don’t grow under the ground. I know that, but this one was so heavy it sunk into the ground till you couldn’t see it. You don’t say.
1976		P. Theroux Family Arsenal 120: ‘You don’t say,’ said Mr Gawber.
1991		J. Osborne Déjàvu Act I: You don’t say.

see under name n.

a general excl. of contempt and disbelief, dismissing as beneath argument the previous speaker’s words.

1853		Dickens Bleak House (1991) 52: That warn’t Chancery practice though, says you.
1927		Dunning & Abbott Broadway II. 108: Steve’s a fine fellow and he’s just out for some innocent fun — Says you — Says I.
1932		D.L. Sayers Have His Carcase 412: ‘When Lord Peter gets these fits of quotation he’s usually on to something.’ ‘Sez you,’ retorted Wimsey.
1934		Wodehouse Right Ho, Jeeves 76: Only a feudal sense of what is fitting restrains you from substituting for it the words, ‘Says you!’.
1940		R. Chandler Farewell, My Lovely (1949) 15: ‘Easy now [...] This isn’t the time to pull the artillery.’ ‘Says you,’ the barman sneered.
1948		Diss Exp. 22 Oct. 4/1: Says You! ‘We have to drop all this confounded nonsense [etc.]’.
1961		(con. WWII) X. Herbert Soldiers’ Women (1978) 60: ‘We’ll be too busy laughing to take any notice of each other’ ‘Says you!’.
1966		B. Reckord Skyvers I i: cragge: ’E ain’t much good at anything. helen: Sez you!
1980		(con. 1930s) Barltrop & Wolveridge Muvver Tongue 35: In the early thirties all the herberts went about saying ‘Oh, yeah’, ‘sez you’ and ‘scram’.

see word up! excl.