Gobsmacked

Use this forum to suggest Good Words for Professor Beard.
Perry
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Gobsmacked

Postby Perry » Tue Nov 28, 2006 11:02 am

gobsmacked
adj : (British; informal) utterly astounded

This is a wonderful expression for indicating astonishment. It seems to have mostly stayed in the UK, but I would guess that most people would get the intent if you employed the expression on this side of the pond.
gob
"a mouthful, lump," c.1382, from O.Fr. gobe "mouthful, lump," from gober "gulp, swallow down," probably from Gaul. *gobbo- (cf. Ir. gob "mouth," Gael. gob "beak"). This Celtic source also seems to be root of gob "mouth" (c.1550), which is the first element in gob-stopper "a kind of large hard candy" (1928).
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gailr
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Postby gailr » Tue Nov 28, 2006 7:33 pm

Nice to see this term here, Perry. The older I get and the more I see, the less often I am gob-smacked (although, on those occasions when I am, it is memorable).

Scroll down to Translationsfor ways to use this term wherever you may go.

-gailr

skinem
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Postby skinem » Tue Nov 28, 2006 7:42 pm

I've always loved this word! Perhaps since that is my natural state... :shock:

Bailey
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Postby Bailey » Tue Nov 28, 2006 8:58 pm

Isn't the essence of sophistication that you are never surprised? I'll stay the gobsmacked bufffoon.

mark wha? Bailey

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