gobsmacked
adjUK /ˈɡɒb.smækt/
Etymology As if smacked (“hit”) in the gob (“mouth (Irish / Scottish gaelic)”). Attested since 1959, from Northern English dialect, particularly Liverpool, popularized via television.
1
Commonwealth, Ireland, UK, Slang Flabbergasted, astounded, speechless, overawed.
- That wad mack im about yam sick, so ower Ilkla' moor bar-tat wish un best of luck at Ilkley Station, and when he landed back Martha wad be fare gob smacked at the yarns he wad tell 'er about Yorkshire clod-hoppers.1925 December 23, A Yorkshire Clod-Hopper, “From a Yorkshire Clod-Hopper”, in The Bee-keepers' Record, volumes 49-53, J. Herrod-Hempsall, retrieved 08 Jun 2018, page 175:
- We were as appalled and stunned and confused and gobsmacked (punched on the mouth) as anyone else.1989 August 7, Glenn Frankel, “Salman Rushdie's Life on the Run”, in Los Angeles Times:
4 more examples
- "I guess the word would be gobsmacked," Barclay said, of his reaction. "I am stunned."2008 June 16, Caroline Mallan, “Linwood Barclay novel wins a plug on key UK book list”, in Toronto Star, Canada, page A2:
- Peterik told CNN that the use of the song caught him by surprise. “I was gobsmacked,” he said. “We were not asked about this at all. The first time we saw it was on national TV.”2015 September 9, Todd Leopold, “Band unhappy with use of ‘Eye of the Tiger’ for Kim Davis”, in CNN:
- Far from the stage, a woman approached them and said she could tell they were big fans, so she was upgrading them to the front row. “We were absolutely gobsmacked,” Ryan said.2023 August 10, Matthew Cantor, “‘Paul McCartney winked right at me’: the fans who buy nosebleed seats – and get whisked to the front”, in The Guardian, UK:
- A hospital consultant who treated Sergei and Yulia Skripal after they were poisoned with the nerve agent novichok was “gobsmacked” when Yulia woke and began trying to get out of bed four days after the attack.2024 October 31, Steven Morris, “Consultant who treated Yulia Skripal ‘gobsmacked’ when she woke up, inquiry hears”, in The Guardian:
- Related terms
- gobsmacking, gobstruck