shivanand  +  18324 Tue, 06 Jan 04 12:19 PM What does it mean when one says-"Is this scary or what?" shivanand Joined on Mon, Jul 21 2003 New Member 09

	Vivica  +  18333 Tue, 06 Jan 04 02:54 PM 'Or what' is generally a rhetorical question (a question that needs no answer because the answer is implied by the question). Therefore, in this case, 'is this scary or what?' is implying that the speaker thinks that it is scary, not really asking if the other person thinks it is scary. It can also work the other way in that the implied answer is no. For example, 'Do you know what you are doing or what?' Hope that helps a little. Vivica Joined on Tue, Jan 6 2004 New Member 11

	Vivica  +  18365 Tue, 06 Jan 04 06:06 PM oh yeah, I didn't think of that. I guess it is context dependant because it could mean either, depending on if it is a question or if it is an exclamation. Vivica

	pedant  +  18421 Wed, 07 Jan 04 06:34 AM No, no, no. Vivica, you were right. "Is it scary or what?" never means "What was it like?" It always means "Is it scary?" or "Is it scary?" "...or what" is simply an idiomatic amplifier. With all due respect, Louisthu, if it's not your first language, why pretend you know the answer? pedant Joined on Thu, Dec 18 2003 Full Member 104