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I used to think we should say "keep your hands off the wall", but one of the lines in Money, from Pink Floyd, they say "keep your hands off of my stash". That made me confuse.

  1. Do we always say keep your hands off of something?

  2. How does it work for "keep your hands off (of) the wall"?

Thank you

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2 Answers 2

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Just off is correct, and should be used in a formal context. On the other hand, off of is quite popular, and usage dictates correctness in the long run. It's more common in American English than in British English.

I think it's popular because the pair on - off is similar in usage to in - out, and out goes with of in the same kind of sentences off of is used. E.g. Get out of my house. Get off (of) the table.

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The 'of' is superfluous, especially as 'of' is historically an unstressed form of 'off'. It does seem to be popular in rock and pop songs, though: Mick Jagger sings "Hey, you, get off of my cloud!"

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    Do you have a source you can cite to show that "of" is an unstressed form of "off"?
    – Kristina Lopez
    Commented Dec 16, 2014 at 14:54
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    @KristinaLopez Here's one that suggests that: etymonline.com/…
    – Caleb
    Commented Dec 16, 2014 at 15:39
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    Thanks @Caleb! David should include that in his answer - it was helpful!
    – Kristina Lopez
    Commented Dec 16, 2014 at 16:58
  • I'd say that QOI has got it right, so I'll leave it that.
    – David Garner
    Commented Dec 16, 2014 at 17:54

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