Would you like to let someone know that you are either surprised or astonished at something that has just been said? The phrase 'you've got to be kidding me' is one that you could use for this, and it's a valid phrase that has been translated into several world languages. This post unpacks the meaning, origin and early use of the term.
Meaning
The common phrase 'you've got to be kidding me' is an expression that is used as an exclamation of astonishment or surprise, often in response to something that another speaker has said.
The saying means that someone is so amazed by the previous statement that has just been put forth that it must have been a joke.
The phrase is not usually literal, and the speaker does not assume that the other party in the conversation is actually joking but implies that the statement they have just said is so ridiculous that it could only have been a joke.
The phrase can also be alternatively expressed as 'you have got to be joking' or expressed as a question: 'Are you kidding me?'
The meaning of the phrease is most often to express humorous sarcasm, belittle the statement or ridicule what has just been said.
The speaker feigns astonishment, because such a ridiculous statement could not be true.
'You have got to be kidding me' is most often as a response to something that another speaker in the conversation has put forward.
The phrase owes part of its origin to the origins of the word “kid” that dates back to the 1800s.
Example Usage
“The kid told me he wanted pineapple on all of the four pizzas. I couldn't believe it. I mean, are you kidding me?”
“Someone told me the Earth was flat yesterday. I mean, they can't actually believe that. You've got to be kidding me, right?”
“If you and the kids really believe that pamphlet that you read at dinner, you have got to be kidding me. Y'all have to be smarter than that.”
“Are you kidding me? The order can't be more than five minutes late or it's free, yet here I am paying full price for a pizza that got here fifteen minutes late.”
Origin
The origin of the phrase 'are you kidding me?' is likely to have come from the word 'kid' that over time turned into 'kidding' as a phrase to mean joking with someone. It is agreed by many language resources that 'kidding' entered the English language around the beginning-1800s.
The phrase 'are you kidding me?' is one that is likely to have entered the English language as a figurative expression or exclamation after this time.
References to the term spread thanks to popular media and newspapers, and the term became an online pop culture reference in the 2010s thanks to its use as a quote by Dr Phil. The quote soon became a meme, which made the expression popular as an internet phrase.
Phrases Similar to You've Got To Be Kidding Me
- Are you kidding me?
- You've got to be kidding me
Phrases Opposite to You've Got To Be Kidding Me
- N/a
What is the Correct Saying?
- You've got to be kidding me
- You've got to be kidding
Ways People May Say You've Got To Be Kidding Me Incorrectly
There are several ways in which someone can use the phrase 'you've got to be kidding me' in the wrong way, or misunderstand the meaning of the term.
If someone does not understand that the meaning of the phrase is likely joking or sarcastic, the phrase can cause confusion. Most languages translate the phrase verbatim, but there might be special confusion for those who do not have an equivalent saying.
Acceptable Ways to Phrase You've Got To Be Kidding Me
The acceptable way to phrase the term 'you've got to be kidding me' is as a statement, or as a question ('are you kidding me?') that expresses mock astonishment or ridicule at something that another speaker has said.