- An exclamation used sarcastically to imply that something just said or asked is incredibly obvious or stupid.
- Conveys derision or mocks the lack of common sense.
Explanation
Origin
- Popularized in the mid-20th century, possibly originating in comics or cartoons.
- Intended to imitate the sound of someone perceived as unintelligent or slow speaking.
- Gained significant traction in the late 80s and 90s teenage slang.
Synonyms & Related Expressions
Alternatives
Sarcastic/Dismissive (Informal):
- Ya think?
- No kidding.
- Groundbreaking. (Sarcastic)
- And water is wet. (Sarcastic comparison)
Sarcastic/Dismissive (Vulgar):
- No shit! / No shit, Sherlock!
- Fuckin' obviously.
Neutral/Polite ways to state the obvious:
- Obviously...
- Of course...
- As you know...
- Clearly...
Situational Appropriateness
- Highly informal and often rude or condescending.
- Use with caution, typically only among close friends in very casual settings, or when talking to oneself.
- Avoid in polite conversation, professional settings, or when talking to strangers or authority figures. Can easily cause offense.
Misunderstanding Warnings
- Learners need to understand this is sarcastic and potentially insulting. Using it inappropriately can damage relationships.
- It's not a neutral way of saying obviously.
Examples
- Person A: Wait, so fire is hot? Person B: Duh!
- Person A: You need to plug it in for it to work. Person B: Well, duh!
- Said to oneself after realizing an obvious mistake: Oh, I was pushing the door instead of pulling. Duh.
Dialogue
Context
Liam: Did you remember to bring water for the hike? It's going to be hot.
Chloe: Duh! Of course I did.
Liam: Okay, just checking!
(Later)
Chloe: I can't find my keys.
Liam: Are they in your pocket?
Chloe: (Checks pocket) Oh. Yeah. Duh.
Social Media Examples
- Reply to an obvious statement: Duh. 🙄
- Meme caption: (Picture of someone stating the obvious) Text: Water is wet? Duh.
- Self-deprecating tweet: Spent 10 minutes looking for my phone while talking on it. Duh. #facepalm
Response Patterns
- The person on the receiving end might feel embarrassed or annoyed.
- They might respond defensively (Okay, okay!), sarcastically (Thanks, Captain Obvious), or just ignore it.
- It generally shuts down that line of inquiry.
Common Follow-up Questions/Actions
- The person saying Duh! usually considers the matter closed, as the answer/point is obvious to them.
- The conversation might move on, possibly with some residual awkwardness or irritation.
Conversation Starter
- No. It's a dismissive response.
Intonation
- Sharp, falling intonation. Often monosyllabic and abrupt. Duh!
- Can be drawn out slightly (Duuuh) for extra sarcastic emphasis.
- Tone is dismissive and mocking.
Generation Differences
- Strongly associated with teenage slang of the late 80s/90s/00s but still understood and used, especially informally or humorously. Might sound dated or juvenile to some if used seriously by adults.
Regional Variations
- Primarily North American English in origin and peak popularity, but understood in other English-speaking regions due to media influence.