General
gobsmacked
What does gobsmacked mean?
Utterly astonished or speechless with surprise.
"I was gobsmacked when they announced the winner."
Origin
From 'gob' (British slang for mouth, originally Scots/Irish) plus 'smacked' — the image of being struck in the mouth with surprise. Spread across the UK in the 20th century and went mainstream by the 1980s.
Frequently asked questions
What does gobsmacked mean in slang?
It means utterly shocked or stunned, as if someone slapped you across the mouth with surprising news.
Is gobsmacked rude?
No, it's mild and informal — totally fine in everyday conversation, work chat, or on TV.
What does gob mean?
Gob is British slang for your mouth, as in 'shut your gob.' Gobsmacked literally pictures your mouth being smacked by shock.
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