What is the origin of the phrase 'Who'd have thunk it'?

Answer 1

In the early days of radio and TV, Edgar Bergen (yes, Candace's dad) had a ventriloquist act which featured a dummy named Mortimer Snerd. Mortimer was pretty dumb, and most of the time when something was explained to him, he'd shake his head and say "Who'd have thunk it?"

You might also be familiar with another of Mortimer's inventions - the word "DUH!"

Answer 2

Well, honey, "Who'd have thunk it" is just a folksy way of saying "Who would have thought it." It's a playful twist on the more formal phrase, adding a touch of whimsy and surprise. So, next time you use it, just remember you're channeling your inner Southern charm.

Answer 3

The phrase "Who'd have thunk it" is a colloquial, informal way of saying "Who would have thought it." The use of "thunk" instead of "thought" is an example of nonstandard English, often used for humorous or informal effect. The phrase likely originated as a playful or dialectical variation on the standard phrase, with "thunk" being a humorous or intentional misspelling of "thought."