Once again, I heard two women talking, and one said (with a tone so you knew what she meant), "Shut up!", which was an expression of incredulity. I wondered how that definition developed, though I could only find it in the Urban Dictionary of Slang, which we all know to be, shall we say, not all that scholarly.

Any other insights on this use of "Shut up!"?

I've heard it used in exactly the same way over here. I've no precise idea how it developed but it's not dissimilar to the common use of "I don't believe you/it!" used in the same way.

It may just be my perception but I've a feeling that usage developed in the USA and has been imported to the UK. I've really only heard it on US television programs. I'm sure there's an Eddie Murphy film where it's a repeated refrain, though I can't think at the moment which one.

An Italian misreading of the term was a character in Silone's novel, "Bread and Wine." (Sciatap)

quote:

there's an Eddie Murphy film where it's a repeated refrain

Beverly Hills Cop

quote:

Originally posted by neveu:

quote:

there's an Eddie Murphy film where it's a repeated refrain

Beverly Hills Cop

That's the one!

It's also a term of derision. Jay Leno mentioned "Balloon Boy" during his monolog and questioned if it wasn't a hoax or publicity stunt. He offered that even Bernie Madoff, when he heard ahout the "accident", said "Shut up!"

quote:

SHUT UP WOMAN, GET ON MY HORSE

Ever since I saw this a few weeks ago, I can't get the godamn song out of my head. Two thirds of my thoughts end in oooooh sweet lemonade. It's like I'm doomed to a world full of horse cock, raisins, and miraculous space travel.