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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

"another think coming" or "another thing coming" - AIBU to suggest we accept both?

205 replies

JAM2018 · 24/12/2022 11:31

Christmas is a time for chestnuts and I've been musing on this old one...

"If you're planning to go to the party wearing that, you've got another..."

...think coming

OR

...thing coming

?

The facts appear to be that "think" was in the original phrase, but - rightly or wrongly - "thing" is well-established as an alternative:

"Another think coming" - examples have been found from before 1900: itre.cis.upenn.edu/~myl/languagelog/archives/004972.html

"Another thing coming" - example exists from 1919: itre.cis.upenn.edu/~myl/languagelog/archives/004971.html

As that second link (written by an academic linguist) mentions, the OED sees "thing" as a misapprehension of "think", but both seem popular.

====

Arguments I've heard on either side plus my response:

"another think coming" doesn't make sense / think is a verb --> 'think' can be a noun, you could be saying "if you think that you are going out dressed like that, then what is coming to you is some time where you will need to sit down and have another think (until you change your mind)", "Have a good think about this" - 'think' is a noun.

"think coming" isn't easy to say, the 'k' and 'c' clash --> yes, but that doesn't mean it's not a valid phrase, but it probably does explain the mishearing or preference for "thing coming"

"another thing coming" doesn't make sense - what "thing"? if it's "another", what's the first "thing" --> lots of idiomatic phrases are hard to make sense of when you try to analyse them (I thought of "sick as a parrot" off the top of my head - but parrots aren't sick? oh, and actually, what on earth is the sense of "off the top of my head"?). There's enough sense for people to use it: "if this is the thing that you are planning to do, then you are mistaken, and you will soon discover that there is another (different) thing that you will be doing [ thing that will be happening to you]".

But everyone I know says "think" / everyone I know says "thing" / it's what I've always said --> are you sure that's what everyone is saying because it's hard to distinguish in spoken English? For most of my life, I just naturally thought it was "thing", and now I'm convinced the 'correct' version is "think", but I'm not too fussed about "thing" as it is so common.

====

I was amused when years ago, David Cameron used it in a speech, and two separate articles in The Telegraph quoted him, one writing "thing" and one "think" (unfortunately, I've searched and can no longer find the articles).

So, you can go on fighting for your choice and insist that logic is on your side. Personally, I just appreciate the way both have been accepted and I enjoy it when people discover the other version for the first time. AIBU?

YABU = you need to pick a side

YANBU = agree, let both thrive

OP posts:
5128gap · 24/12/2022 18:22

PAFMO · 24/12/2022 18:02

Just musing again on why it's such a common mistake (for those at the back, "thing" is used more often than "think" despite not being correct. I'm going to add a fourth reason.
The first is the mis-hearing of the /k/ as /g/
The second is the fact that we're dealing with idiomatic language.
The third is the misconception that "think" isn't a noun.
The fourth is the assumed, but rarely said "if you think that..." If that were the beginning of the idiom, then I doubt "thing" would be so common, because it would then be obvious that what is coming is another "think".

So, perfect storm really. Few other mistakes are as common, maybe because there aren't so many reasons for making them.

I'm shocked to find out it's a common mistake. I've never heard thing said before. Perhaps its a regionally specific error.
I rarely hear the saying at all in fact, outside of my generation (50s) and above, its quite an old fashioned saying that you expect to end in 'young lady'.

Thriwit · 24/12/2022 18:29

For all the people who can’t understand what the first ‘thing’ is:
”If you think THAT, then you’ve got another thing coming” the THAT is the first thing; the thought that you are having.

I think the ‘thing’ version is meant harsher than the ‘think’ version. So the phrase overall has become harsher as ‘thing’ has become more prevalent. I definitely wouldn’t say the ‘thing’ version is remotely jovial or jokey, more threatening and/or aggressive.

PuppyMonkey · 24/12/2022 18:40

the THAT is the first thing; the thought that you are having.

Grin

I mean come on, you’re having us on now surely?

OwwwMuuuum · 24/12/2022 18:41

Think think think

Spidey66 · 24/12/2022 18:42

It's think if you're saying "if you think xyz you've got another think com8ng" ie you need to change your mind.

But if you're saying "you haven't done the dishes and another thing why didn't feed the dog" It's thing.

Anything else doesn't make sense.

Whatifthegrassisblue · 24/12/2022 18:45

I always thought it was thing!!

DappledThings · 24/12/2022 18:48

But if you're saying "you haven't done the dishes and another thing why didn't feed the dog" It's thing.

Well yes, but that's entirely unrelated to the phrase in question.

Spidey66 · 24/12/2022 18:55

DappledThings · 24/12/2022 18:48

But if you're saying "you haven't done the dishes and another thing why didn't feed the dog" It's thing.

Well yes, but that's entirely unrelated to the phrase in question.

I wonder if people have got the phrases mixed up though and that's why they're insistent it's thing and not think.

SiobhanSharpe · 24/12/2022 19:01

Those who say 'think' isn't a noun -- it certainly is; it's quite normal to say 'let me have a think about it.'
The original phrase is a warning, or an admonishment, often to children. My mother used to say to me, 'if you think you're going out like that/dropping French/taking up smoking, you've got another think coming, my girl.'
Thing is not only wrong, it makes no sense because how can there be another thing coming when there was no first thing?

Original poster
JAM2018 · 24/12/2022 19:49

I'm back and I've just read through the many comments - I wasn't expecting so many!

A big cheer to the 50 MNetters who voted YANBU - it's good to know there's a few of you who just sit back with wry amusement as people argue so vehemently about this!

The one poster with a cool head (and expertise it would seem) is @PAFMO - so scroll back a few pages to what they had to say. Special mention to @Thriwit for a sensible comment.

My parting shots (for now):

(1) Think can be a noun, so no point arguing that "think" has to be a verb.

(2) Both options make some sense to those who use them (otherwise they wouldn't persist), so please climb down off your high horse and accept that the one you don't like is plausible, even if you think it's wrong.

(3) For those pointing out the pattern: "If you THINK X, then you've got another THINK coming" - we don't always use the first "think", for example, how about "if you want me to cook your dinner, you've got another THING coming <subtext: that THING being a lecture from me about how it's about time you lifted a finger and cooked the dinner!>" (no use of think at all). There's not really a question of this being wrong if it is a construction chosen by the speaker intentionally with that implication understood by the listener.

(4) I used THING for most of my life, but realised THINK was the original formulation a few years ago, so would probably say THINK, although I'm not sure I've ever actually used it.

(5) If you argue "I've only ever heard X", I am sure there have been many occasions where a speaker has used one choice and the listener has heard the other choice, because that's what they expect. In normal conversation, THINK COMING and THING COMING will be barely distinguished.

Peace to all this Christmas...

OP posts:
purpledalmation · 24/12/2022 21:12

@JAM2018 Think is never a noun, it a verb. Thought is a noun

purpledalmation · 24/12/2022 21:14

SiobhanSharpe · 24/12/2022 19:01

Those who say 'think' isn't a noun -- it certainly is; it's quite normal to say 'let me have a think about it.'
The original phrase is a warning, or an admonishment, often to children. My mother used to say to me, 'if you think you're going out like that/dropping French/taking up smoking, you've got another think coming, my girl.'
Thing is not only wrong, it makes no sense because how can there be another thing coming when there was no first thing?

Let me have a think is incorrect English. Let me think is correct, because think is a verb. Thought is a noun.

purpledalmation · 24/12/2022 21:15

Ignore that. I'm totally wrong! I'm not well 😀😀

purpledalmation · 24/12/2022 21:18

But why would you say 'another thing coming' when the phrase as a whole is something like, "if she thinks she's coming to my party, then she's got another think coming?" Why would you put thing in that context?

purpledalmation · 24/12/2022 21:21

I'm bored...

"If you're planning to go to the party wearing that, you've got another...". ie, you have decided (thought about) wearing a specific item

Why would 'you've got another thing coming make sense? What thing? A different dress?

It's obviously think because thinking implies a decision and the speaker thinks you need to make a different decision.

mydogisthebest · 24/12/2022 21:23

Thing makes absolutely no sense whatsoever. I know no one who says thing. Of course it is think.

DadDadDad · 24/12/2022 21:25

@purpledalmation - if you're bored, you should have time to browse through the 190 posts on this thread that have already addressed some of your questions. Rather than assume that anyone who doesn't do it the way you would do it is an idiot, have some curiosity and consider some other perspectives.

mydogisthebest · 24/12/2022 21:31

Thriwit · 24/12/2022 16:25

The thing that has surprised me the most about this thread, is all the people who somehow can’t see how “If you think that, you’ve got another thing coming!” makes sense. It makes perfect sense.
(I’m not arguing that one or the other is ‘correct’, I’m just surprised people can’t understand both.)

"you've got another thing coming" certainly does not make perfect sense. It is totally wrong and ridiculous to say it.

I never realised there was so many stupid people

DadDadDad · 24/12/2022 21:43

I never realised there was so many stupid people

@mydogisthebest - what then should we make of people who can't manage simple verb agreement on the phrase "there were so many stupid people"? Hmm

DrFoxtrot · 24/12/2022 22:06

Just to reiterate my previous post Grin that I know it is supposed to be think rather than thing. But I have always said thing Blush.

PP explaining that 'another think coming' means 'think again' - even knowing that this is the correct way, I can't get used to it!

'You've got another think coming'.

No I haven't, you aren't in my brain and don't dictate what I think or when thinks (thoughts Grin) are coming. That would be my immediate 'think' if someone said if to me, so maybe that is the 'another think' that was coming Confused.

Anyway, I never really say it. A bit like 'huzzah' - I never say it in real life!

CatJumperTwat · 24/12/2022 22:28

JAM2018 · 24/12/2022 19:49

I'm back and I've just read through the many comments - I wasn't expecting so many!

A big cheer to the 50 MNetters who voted YANBU - it's good to know there's a few of you who just sit back with wry amusement as people argue so vehemently about this!

The one poster with a cool head (and expertise it would seem) is @PAFMO - so scroll back a few pages to what they had to say. Special mention to @Thriwit for a sensible comment.

My parting shots (for now):

(1) Think can be a noun, so no point arguing that "think" has to be a verb.

(2) Both options make some sense to those who use them (otherwise they wouldn't persist), so please climb down off your high horse and accept that the one you don't like is plausible, even if you think it's wrong.

(3) For those pointing out the pattern: "If you THINK X, then you've got another THINK coming" - we don't always use the first "think", for example, how about "if you want me to cook your dinner, you've got another THING coming <subtext: that THING being a lecture from me about how it's about time you lifted a finger and cooked the dinner!>" (no use of think at all). There's not really a question of this being wrong if it is a construction chosen by the speaker intentionally with that implication understood by the listener.

(4) I used THING for most of my life, but realised THINK was the original formulation a few years ago, so would probably say THINK, although I'm not sure I've ever actually used it.

(5) If you argue "I've only ever heard X", I am sure there have been many occasions where a speaker has used one choice and the listener has heard the other choice, because that's what they expect. In normal conversation, THINK COMING and THING COMING will be barely distinguished.

Peace to all this Christmas...

If you think you've made the most patronising post on Mumsnet today, you... are correct.

Zimtsterne · 24/12/2022 23:30

(3) For those pointing out the pattern: "If you THINK X, then you've got another THINK coming" - we don't always use the first "think", for example, how about "if you want me to cook your dinner, you've got another THING coming " (no use of think at all).

That is not the same phrase, though. It's a mangled misuse of the "if you think X..." construction. It doesn't work without the use of "think". It means "If you think X, you are mistaken AND you're going to find out why." You can't be mistaken about wanting something, only about assuming or expecting that you're going to get it, so the second part is redundant.

And what is the meaning of "another" in that sentence? What was the first thing that came?

"If you want..." would more normally be followed by a condition. "If you want me to cook lunch, you'd better go to the shops and buy food."
"If you want me to cook lunch, you're wrong" does not make sense. "If you think I'm going to cook lunch, you're wrong" does make sense.

I think some posters are using "thing" very literally, to mean any actual thing or event that can happen, but in the phrase at hand, it takes on a specificity that makes the phrase nonsensical.

FuzzyPuffling · 25/12/2022 07:45

Maybe the "thingers" also believe "somefink" is a valid word?

TheOnlyLivingBoyInNewCross · 25/12/2022 08:02

It’s think.

People can argue for ‘thing’, say ‘thing’, but it’s not correct 🤷‍♀️

Original poster
JAM2018 · 25/12/2022 08:02

If you think you've made the most patronising post on Mumsnet today, you... are correct.

@CatJumperTwat - that's a competitive field on MN, so I'm chuffed to have that accolade! Thanks.

OP posts: