Are you looking for a way to tell someone that they can’t fool you again? If so, you can use “fool me once, shame on me.” This post unpacks the meaning and origin of this expression.
Meaning
The proverbial saying “fool me once, shame on you” means that you let someone get the better of you the first time, but it’s not going to happen again. The phrase is the shorter version of “fool me once, shame on you, fool me twice, shame on me.”
It’s a way of saying that you should have realized people were trying to con you, but you fell for it, taking responsibility for the outcome. After learning your lesson, it’s unlikely that the person will catch you out again.
Example Usage
“I can’t believe that customer paid with a fake check. I should have picked that up. Oh well, fool me once. I’ll never let that happen again.”
“You guys thought you could trick me again, but I’ve been preparing for it. Fool me once.”
“Yup, I fell for that last time, but it’s not going to happen again. Fool me once, shame on you, fool me twice, shame on me.”
“That was such a good scam. I fell for it hook, line, and sinker. I feel like an idiot right now, and there’s no way I’m ever falling for something like that again. Fool me once.”
Origin
The origin of the expression "fool me once, shame on you" comes from the book "The Court and Character of King James," written by Anthony Weldon in 1651, where it appears as follows.
"The Italians having a Proverb, 'He that deceives me once, it's his fault; but if twice, it's my fault.'"
It's common for people to confuse this saying and speak it incorrectly. Even President G.W. Bush struggled with it, tangling the words in one of his speeches in the 1990s.
"There's an old saying in Tennessee I know it's in Texas, probably in Tennessee--that says, fool me once, shame on-shame on you. Fool me- you can't get fooled again." – G.W. Bush.
Phrases Similar to Fool Me Once Shame on You
- You can't get fooled again.
- A fool and his money are soon parted.
Phrases Opposite to Fool Me Once Shame on You
- I never fall for scams.
What is the Correct Saying?
- Fool me once.
- Fool me once, shame on you, fool me twice, and shame on me.
- Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me. Fool me three times, shame on both of us. (Stephen King).
Ways People May Say Fool Me Once Shame on You Incorrectly
Some people may use the phrase “fool me once, shame on me.” However, the correct saying is “fool me once, shame on you, fool me twice, and shame on me.”
Therefore using the former version is incorrect, blaming the initial mistake on yourself rather than the other person.
Acceptable Ways to Phrase Fool Me Once Shame on You
You can use the saying “fool me once, shame on you” when you’re telling someone that you are wise to their actions and that they won’t be able to trick you again. The phrase suits social and professional use.
You could use it at work to describe how a con artist took advantage of you, using a stolen credit card to process a sale.” Or, you could use it with your friends as a retort after they pull a prank on you.
“Fool me once, shame on you,” is the abbreviated version of the longer phrase, “fool me once, shame on you, fool me twice, and shame on me.”