Gobsmacked

Pronunciation

• UK IPA: /ˈɡɒb.smækt/

Origin

As if smacked ("hit") in the gob ("mouth (Irish
Scottish gaelic)").

Attested since 1959, from Northern English dialect, particularly Liverpool, popularized via television.

World Wide Words: Gobsmacked

Full definition of gobsmacked

Adjective

1. (chiefly British, slang) Flabbergasted, astounded, speechless, overawed.
• 1989, Glenn Frankel, "Salman Rushdie's Life on the Run," Los Angeles Times, 7 Aug.,We were as appalled and stunned and confused and gobsmacked (punched on the mouth) as anyone else.
• 2008, Caroline Mallan, "Linwood Barclay novel wins a plug on key UK book list," Toronto Star, 16 Jun., p. A2,"I guess the word would be gobsmacked," Barclay said, of his reaction. "I am stunned."

Related terms

• gobsmacking
• gobstruck much less common