- An expression indicating that something is extremely surprising, impressive, counter-intuitive, or intellectually stimulating, to the point where it feels like the speaker's understanding or perspective has been dramatically altered.
- It signifies a state of astonishment or revelation.
Explanation
Origin
- Became widely popular in the 21st century, heavily boosted by internet culture, memes, and social media.
- The imagery is literal: something so impactful that it metaphorically 'explodes' one's mind or preconceived notions.
- While the concept of being 'blown away' is older, the specific phrase Mind blown as a standalone statement of reaction is more recent.
Synonyms & Related Expressions
Alternatives
Slang/Informal:
- That's wild.
- That's insane. / That's crazy.
- Shook. / I'm shook.
- My brain just exploded.
- I can't even. (Expresses being overwhelmed)
- Whoa.
Vulgar/Emphatic:
- That's fucking incredible. / That's fucking wild.
- Holy shit. (General strong reaction)
Milder:
- That's fascinating.
- Incredible.
- Amazing.
- Wow.
- I'm astonished.
Situational Appropriateness
- Informal.
- Very common in casual conversation, online discussions, social media.
- Might sound slightly unprofessional or overly casual in very formal settings, but generally acceptable in modern, informal workplaces depending on the culture.
Misunderstanding Warnings
- Generally well-understood due to its descriptive nature and widespread use online.
- The intensity might be slightly lost on someone unfamiliar with current internet slang, but the core meaning of 'very surprised/impressed' is usually clear.
Examples
- I just found out that sharks existed before trees. Mind blown.
- Watching that documentary about the universe... seriously, mind blown.
- The plot twist in that movie? Mind blown.
- He explained quantum physics in a way I actually understood. Mind blown.
Dialogue
Alex: Did you know that the actor who played Barney the dinosaur now runs a tantric sex business?
Sam: Wait, what? Seriously? Mind blown. That's the most random fact ever.
Alex: I know! I read an article about it.
Social Media Examples
- Tweet: TIL [Today I Learned] octopuses have 3 hearts and blue blood. Mind blown. 🐙 #ScienceFacts #NatureIsWeird
- Instagram caption: The view from the top was just... mind blown. 🤯 #Hiking #Travel #Views
- Comment: Just finished reading that book. The ending? MIND BLOWN. 🤯 You HAVE to read it.
Response Patterns
- Agreement/Shared Feeling: Right?!, I know, me too!, Totally!, It's crazy when you think about it.
- Asking for Elaboration: Really? What did you learn?, What was the plot twist? (if appropriate)
- Acknowledgment: Wow., That's wild.
Common Follow-up Questions/Actions
- Sharing the specific piece of information or experience that caused the reaction.
- Discussing the implications of the new information/perspective.
- Recommending the source (documentary, book, article) to others.
- Using the 🤯 (exploding head) emoji online.
Conversation Starter
- No.
- Usually a reaction to information or an experience.
Intonation
- Often stated declaratively, sometimes with a pause or emphasis on both words: MIND. BLOWN.
- Can be delivered with a tone of awe, wonder, or stunned silence.
- Falling intonation is common, indicating a state rather than a question.
Generation Differences
- Extremely common among Millennials and Gen Z, heavily tied to internet culture.
- Older generations might understand it but use it less frequently, perhaps preferring Blown away or Amazing.
Regional Variations
- Widely used across English-speaking regions due to the global nature of internet culture.