Is flabbergasted a British word?

Definition and synonyms of flabbergasted from the online English dictionary from Macmillan Education. This is the British English definition of flabbergasted.

Is flabbergasted a Scottish word?

The origin of the verb is uncertain; possibly dialectal (Suffolk), from flabby or flap (“to strike”) + aghast. The word may be related to Scottish flabrigast (“to boast”) or flabrigastit (“worn out with exertion”). The noun is derived from the verb.

What is the true meaning of flabbergasted?

Definition of flabbergasted : feeling or showing intense shock, surprise, or wonder : utterly astonished Every second person wore a blank flabbergasted expression, having just offered some gratuitous insult to a stranger, or, perhaps, received one.—

Do Americans say flabbergasted?

As an American, I’m flabbergasted to hear that the word isn’t used in American English. Do you have a source for that? Well, I did say primarily used by British people. But since you, an American, say you’re flabbergasted by me saying so, I guess it is also used a lot by Americans.

Where does the term gobsmacked come from?

The word gobsmacked is a slang term that is generally defined as experiencing a feeling of intense surprise, such as the kind of shock you would feel if you were suddenly hit in the face. The word comes from the borderlands between northern England and southern Scotland.

What is a Cattywampus?

Definition – askew, awry, kitty-corner. Cattywampus is a variant of catawampus, another example of grand 19th century American slang. In addition to “askew” catawampus may refer to “an imaginary fierce wild animal,” or may mean “savage, destructive.”

When was the word gobsmacked first used?

1930s
Gobsmacked originated as English and Scottish slang, and the first records of its use come from around the mid-1930s. It’s now a common slang term in the U.K. and is also used somewhat commonly in the U.S. and other English-speaking areas.

Where did flabbergasted come from?

Alternatively, it comes from the related “flabrigastit”, meaning “exhausted”. Besides Scotland being rather far from Suffolk, the words’ meanings are different enough that the derivation seems unlikely. Another idea is that it’s “flabber” or “flab”, in the sense of “fat” or “wiggly substance”, plus “gast”.

How to use “flabbergasted” in a sentence?

He was flabbergasted when we told him how cheap it was.

What does flabbergasted mean?

: feeling or showing intense shock, surprise, or wonder : utterly astonished Every second person wore a blank flabbergasted expression, having just offered some gratuitous insult to a stranger, or, perhaps, received one.

What does flabbergast mean?

flabbergast (third-person singular simple present flabbergasts, present participle flabbergasting, simple past and past participle flabbergasted) (transitive) To overwhelm with bewilderment; to amaze, confound, or stun, especially in a ludicrous manner.