Meaning & use
my what
Last updated
Meanings
phrasefixed phraseinformal
A short informal question used when someone says a surprising word or phrase and you want them to repeat or explain it.
Grammar: Used as a complete question by itself, usually after the other person has just spoken. It often sounds surprised or slightly playful.
Patterns
- My what?
- someone says 'my what'
He said he was going to sell his pet iguana, and she just looked at him and said, 'My what?'
When the teacher told the class they had won a trip to the moon, one student whispered, 'My what?'
I told him I was moving to a tiny island, and he replied, 'My what?'
phrasefixed phraseinformalhumorous
A surprised or confused echo of a phrase that someone has just used, asking them to repeat the part after 'my'.
Grammar: Often repeats the other person's exact words with a rising intonation. It can sound humorous or slightly rude if overused.
Patterns
- My what?
- say 'my what' to someone
A: 'I'm going to dye my hair purple.' B: 'Your what?' (or 'My what?' if B is repeating A's words).
She told me her new hobby was extreme ironing, and I couldn't help asking, 'My what?'
He mentioned his 'emotional support crocodile,' and everyone at the table said, 'My what?'
Common combinations
- say my what
- He leaned forward and said, 'My what?' because he couldn't believe his ears.
- just go 'my what'
- When she heard the price, she just went 'my what?' and dropped her fork.
- a surprised 'my what'
- There was a surprised 'my what' from the back of the room when the boss announced the new schedule.
- ask 'my what'
- If you don't know what they mean, you can ask 'my what?' in a friendly way.
Synonyms and how they differ
- your what
- Used when the surprising word belongs to the person you are speaking to, not to you; 'my what' repeats the speaker's own word.
- excuse me
- A more polite and general way to ask someone to repeat something; 'my what' is more specific and informal.
- come again
- An informal way to ask someone to repeat what they said, but it does not focus on a single surprising word.
Commonly confused: my what or my word?
my what vs my word
An old-fashioned exclamation of surprise, meaning 'goodness me'. It is not a question and does not ask someone to repeat anything.
Practice
Your friend says, 'I'm going to paint my bicycle bright pink.' You are surprised by the word 'bicycle' and want them to repeat it. What do you say?
Choose one answer.
'My what?' is the fixed informal phrase used to echo a surprising word and ask for repetition. 'My bicycle?' repeats the whole noun, which is possible but does not use the fixed phrase. 'My word!' and 'My goodness!' are exclamations of surprise, not requests to repeat.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “my what”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.