6

I recently received a text message which read: "well, knock me over with a feather!" It was in response to a statement which may or may not have been surprising (I honestly have no idea).

Has anyone heard this expression before? I am curious about what it was meant to express.

Improve this question
1
  • I haven't heard this expression for a long, long time. It used to be something a Jewish grandmother would say.
    – Michael Lorton
    Commented Jul 29, 2011 at 18:23

1 Answer 1

Reset to default
7

"Knock me over with a feather" does indicate surprise.

See: You could have knocked me over with a feather

The meaning is from the idea that surprise will put you off balance and so it will be easy to knock you over. In this case, so off balance that all it would take would be the brush of a feather.

Improve this answer
2
  • 2
    It could also be used sarcastically to indicate that you are not surprized.
    – Chad
    Commented Jul 29, 2011 at 17:23
  • 5
    Anything can be used sarcastically to indicate the opposite, that's what sarcasm means.
    – kekekela
    Commented Jul 29, 2011 at 19:56

You must log in to answer this question.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged .