Anyone that has been on the Internet for the last ten years has likely seen or heard the phrase “that’s gonna be a no from me dawg” at least once.
It has become a popular saying in Internet culture over the years. But what does that phrase actually mean? This post unpacks the meaning and origin of the expression.
Meaning
“That’s gonna be a no from me dawg” is usually used to cut someone off in the middle of a conversation by denying what they are saying. It can be used as a response to something stupid or offensive that someone has said, or as a way of strongly saying “no” to someone that has asked you to do something that you do not want to do.
The phrase has a few different meanings, but mostly means the same thing. Context may still be important when determining what someone intends when they use this phrase. More information can be found in the video (here).
Example Usage
“You want to go to the gym at this hour? That’s gonna’ be a no from me dawg.”
“You want me to spend $100 on a pair of jeans? That’s gonna’ be a no from me dawg.”
“You think I’m gonna drive two hours over there to pick you up? That’s gonna’ be a no from me dawg.”
“I know you didn’t just say something racist around me. That’s gonna. be a no from me dawg.”
Origin
The opular television show American Idol has been on the air since 2002, and still produces episodes to this day. The phrase “that’s gonna be a no from me dawg” is believed to have originated from Randy Jackson, who was a talent judge on this show up until the eighth season. But despite common belief, Jackson never actually said “that’s gonna be a no from me dawg” at any point on the show. He did say some variations of that sentence, but not as the wording that we now know it. Regardless, that is still widely considered the origin of the phrase.
In 2019, a channel called Cameo uploaded a video to YouTube with Jackson telling a story in which he says “that’s gonna be a no from me dawg”. So, even though Jackson is still the originator of this phrase, it did not come from the television show as everyone originally believed it had. That being said, the phrase has been used in POC and AAVE culture long before it was ever used on television.
Phrases Similar to That’s Gonna Be a “No” From Me Dawg
- Hell no
- Absolutely not
- No way Jose
- No way
Phrases Opposite to That’s Gonna bB a “No” From Me Dawg
- Yessir
- Absolutely
- Yes
What is the Correct Saying?
- “That’s gonna be a no from me dawg” is the correct saying.
Ways People May Incorrectly Say That’s Gonna Be a “No” From Me Dawg
This phrase is used to cut someone off mid-conversation, tell them “no” when they ask you to do something, or as a response to someone who may have said something offensive. With that in mind, any attempt to use this phrase in a context outside of these listed would be incorrect. Using the phrase when you are agreeing with someone, or when you are willing to do what they ask you, would be the wrong way to use it. Some ways that “that’s gonna be a no from me dawg” is used incorrectly are:
- I’d love to go to the park with you tomorrow. That’s gonna be a no from me dawg.
- I absolutely agree with you. That’s gonna be a no from me dawg.
- I appreciate you coming out to help me today. That’s gonna be a no from me dawg.
Acceptable Ways to Phrase That’s Gonna Be a “No” From Me Dawg
- Did you see the offensive things Ashley posted yesterday? That’s gonna be a no from me dawg.
- You want me to go run a mile with you? That’s gonna be a no from me dawg.
- I hear what you’re saying, but I’m gonna stop you right there. That’s gonna be a no from me dawg.