As writers, readers, and lovers of language, we often find ourselves defending the small details — the turn of a phrase, the rhythm of a sentence, the clever use of words. And sometimes, it’s not about invention, but preservation.
One common expression that tends to stir the pedants among us (and rightly so) is:
“You’ve got another thing coming.”
You’ve likely heard it dozens of times — in conversation, in TV shows, even in song lyrics. But here’s the twist: that version isn’t the original, and strictly speaking, it isn’t correct.
The Original Phrase: A Matter of Think
The phrase should actually be:
“You’ve got another think coming.”
Yes, you read that correctly — think, not thing. It sounds odd to our modern ears, perhaps even ungrammatical. That’s because the word “think” is being used as a noun, which is rare today but was quite acceptable in earlier English.
The full phrase is a kind of informal reprimand, typically used when someone makes a bold (and often mistaken) assumption. For example:
“If you think I’m going to do your work for you, you’ve got another think coming.”
It’s a witty, almost cheeky way of telling someone they’re mistaken — and that they’d best reconsider their opinion. This phrase has been in recorded use since at least the early 20th century, and likely earlier in spoken form.
So Where Did “Thing” Come From?
Over time, as language evolved and “think” used as a noun became less common, the phrase began to be misheard and reinterpreted. People started saying “thing” instead of “think,” perhaps assuming it made more sense — after all, who goes around having a “think”?
But of course, that’s the very point. The original phrase doesn’t sound entirely logical — it’s a playful twist, a bit of linguistic cheek. And in that, it’s rather brilliant.
Why It Matters
While some might argue that “thing” has become so widespread it’s now accepted, writers and language enthusiasts often take pride in upholding the quirkier truths of English. Not because we’re trying to win points — but because language should be fun, clever, and meaningful.
So yes, it might sound pedantic to point it out — but the next time you hear someone say, “You’ve got another thing coming,” you can smile to yourself and know the truth:
They’ve got another think coming.
