this post was submitted on 06 Jan 2025
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What's the dumbest argument you've ever had? (lemmy.ml)
submitted 2 days ago by Merlu@lemmy.ml to c/asklemmy@lemmy.ml
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[–] DarkDarkHouse@lemmy.sdf.org 9 points 2 days ago (3 children)

Whether the saying is “if they think that, then they’ve got another think coming” or “if they think that, then they’ve got another thing coming”.

[–] SwingingTheLamp@midwest.social 5 points 1 day ago (2 children)

That one always gets me. The phrase means that the person is wrong about something, and circumstances will compel them to reconsider their position or opinion. The word "think" refers to a cognitive process, such as reconsidering their position or opinion. As for the alternative, what's the "thing" that's coming? Their latest Amazon order is out for delivery?

[–] Buddahriffic@lemmy.world 4 points 1 day ago

I've always interpreted the other thing coming as a threat or an unpleasant surprise. Ie, the consequences of thinking the thing they think.

[–] mindbleach@sh.itjust.works 3 points 1 day ago (1 children)

Comeuppance.

[–] SwingingTheLamp@midwest.social 2 points 1 day ago (1 children)

Yeah, that's what I've always figured, since the implied threat of violence/retribution seems like a very American attitude.

[–] mindbleach@sh.itjust.works 4 points 1 day ago (1 children)

What? No, just via circumstances. As in, the situation will have consequences you failed to predict.

[–] SwingingTheLamp@midwest.social 2 points 1 day ago (1 children)

I feel that "another thing coming" has mobster vibes, and a comeuppance is a deserved punishment.

[–] mindbleach@sh.itjust.works 3 points 1 day ago

Okay, well, it doesn't.

[–] agamemnonymous@sh.itjust.works 7 points 2 days ago

After a cursory search it seems like both are acceptable. "Think" appears to be the original phrase, but "thing" is more common today, especially in America.