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Original poster

Has DH got another think coming or have I got another thing coming???

812 replies

NotMyRealName2015 · 01/11/2015 14:56

I’ll clarify Blush

DH and I were having a light hearted debate about who was going to sort the garden out this afternoon (there are weeds growing out of weeds, and we have guests coming this week)
DH said that if I thought he was doing it today ‘I had another thing coming’.

I pointed out the phrase was ‘another think coming’ and that he should now go and do the garden as punishment for his failure. Grin
However, he is insisting I am wrong and that ‘thing’ is the right word. I say that doesn’t even make sense! What ‘thing’ is coming?? He just says ‘English doesn’t always make sense.’ (Not technically his first language but he has a British parent so has always been bilingual and is completely fluent)

MN jury needed. Who is correct??
Loser will obviously be doing the garden. Winner will sit down with coffee and biscuits, looking smug and saying 'you've missed a bit.'

OP posts:
GiraffesAndButterflies · 01/11/2015 15:08

Think is definitely right, we have not yet had a link to back up 'thing'... Just lots of volunteers to help your DH in the garden Grin

RainbowRoses · 01/11/2015 15:07

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

DraenorQueen · 01/11/2015 15:07

It's think. A simple google search will confirm.

Original poster
NotMyRealName2015 · 01/11/2015 15:06

oops big x post.

So it should be 'think', but actually the majority of people say 'thing'?

DH is right about one thing: English is weird Grin

OP posts:
MrsWooster · 01/11/2015 15:06

It's think. See above posts with refs and also it just IS!

InvasionOfTheBodyShatners · 01/11/2015 15:06

Think is right though, no doubt about it. You're the winner Grin

SunshineAndShadows · 01/11/2015 15:06

It's is think in the original phrase.
It's just that misuse of the phrase has made thing more common even though it's wrong.

JoeMommuh · 01/11/2015 15:06

Thing.

Original poster
NotMyRealName2015 · 01/11/2015 15:05

Bugger. Envy Thing seems to be winning. That doesn't even make sense though!!

" If you think that that, you've got another thing coming"

I'm confused! Blush

OP posts:
honeysucklejasmine · 01/11/2015 15:03

Although it appears I also need to be cast out to the garden. BlushBlush

SunshineAndShadows · 01/11/2015 15:02

It's another think coming.

Unfortunately accent/poor enunciation has changed the phrase to thing (which makes no sense) in many parts of the country

ProcrastinatorGeneral · 01/11/2015 15:02

Think works better in context. Lazy speaking has morphed it to thing.

Go do it together and it'll be done quicker. Or develop a lack of shits to give about the state of the garden :o

ProbablyMe · 01/11/2015 15:01

Rats. Having looked online the OED confirms its think. It comes front the phrase "if you think that, you've got another think coming". Good to learn something new!!

Missrubyring · 01/11/2015 15:01

Both me and DP say it's 'thing' ... sorry OP.

PrettyBrightFireflies · 01/11/2015 15:01

The guardian did an article on this last year:

www.theguardian.com/media/mind-your-language/2014/nov/18/mind-your-language-another-think

You're right, he's wrong - but, he's in the majority, these days!

appleblossomtime · 01/11/2015 15:01

definitely think

If you think something (a) ...then ( you're wrong and ) and you've got another think (b) coming

you think A

but acytually it's B, so you have to think again.

hope the (a) and (b) makes sense!

LeaveMyWingsBehindMe · 01/11/2015 15:01

It's think. It's the last part of the response 'If you think I am doing that, you've got another think coming.'

If you replace it with thing it makes no sense at all.

HirplesWithHaggis · 01/11/2015 15:00

Of course it's think. "If you think xyz, you have another think coming (because you're wrong)"

balletgirlmum · 01/11/2015 14:59

Hmmm

Maybe you are both right. grammarist.com/usage/another-think-coming/

GiraffesAndButterflies · 01/11/2015 14:59

It's think.

"If you think I'm doing xyz, you've got another think coming."

kateclarke · 01/11/2015 14:59

I think that it is think too.

InvasionOfTheBodyShatners · 01/11/2015 14:59

grammarist.com/usage/another-think-coming/

VimFuego101 · 01/11/2015 14:59

Thing.

FattyNinjaOwl · 01/11/2015 14:59

Another thing coming. Your DH is right.

ProbablyMe · 01/11/2015 14:59

It's thing - sorry!