etymology - Where did the phrase "shut up" as an expression of disbelief or amazement originate?


I recently heard shut up used according to this definition in Urban dictionary.



shut·up (shuht-up) --interjection 1. An expression of disbelief. 2. Amazement; astonishment.



I've only heard it used in a few movies (The Princess Diaries and in an episode of Dr. Who for example). What is the etymology of this idiomatic phrase? I'm particularly curious as to when and in what country this use originated and in what circles is it used. Also, is there a proper or expected response to the phrase in conversation?



Answer



It's an evolution of other imperatives that could also be used to express surprise or disbelief, such as "don't joke around", or in slang "stop fooling" or "quit joshing". While these statements are commands, the implication is that the speaker believes he is being deceived in jest. If the listener were to obey the speaker's request, they'd stop talking, or "shut up", hence the introduction of the command as a similar expression of disbelief.


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