# You have got another "thing" or "think" coming? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [November 14, 2012, 12:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-have-got-another-thing-or-think-coming/640931 "2012-11-14T00:26:30Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 9
**Author:** ![eburacum45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eburacum45/32/8690_2.png) [@eburacum45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eburacum45)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2012, 10:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-have-got-another-thing-or-think-coming/640931/161 "2012-11-21T22:39:01Z")
I am amazed to find that my wife thinks it is ‘thing’, while I think (correctly of course) that it is ‘think’. ---
**Author:** ![eburacum45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eburacum45/32/8690_2.png) [@eburacum45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eburacum45)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2012, 10:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-have-got-another-thing-or-think-coming/640931/162 "2012-11-21T22:55:04Z")
[This graph is interesting on the subject](http://books.google.com/ngrams/graph?content=another+think+coming%2C+another+thing+coming&year_start=1900&year_end=2000&corpus=15&smoothing=3&share=) note that ‘thing’ is slightly in the ascendant in the early years of the century, but that could be the result of a single example. ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2012, 1:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-have-got-another-thing-or-think-coming/640931/163 "2012-11-22T01:37:16Z")
> [@tdn](#): > > Yeah, well, I couldn’t thing of a better word. But I believe I have another drink coming. Glad you took that in the jovial spirit offered! ---
**Author:** ![CanvasShoes](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/74df32/32.png) [@CanvasShoes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CanvasShoes)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2012, 6:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-have-got-another-thing-or-think-coming/640931/164 "2012-11-23T06:45:12Z")
> [@Feyrat](#): > > Think. > > The whole quote is “If you think that, you have another think coming.” > > Thing doesn’t even make sense. My vote also, thing makes no sense at all. ---
**Author:** ![Greg\_Charles](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/839c29/32.png) [@Greg\_Charles](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Greg_Charles)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2012, 7:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-have-got-another-thing-or-think-coming/640931/165 "2012-11-23T07:54:50Z")
Thing is an eggcorn here for think, just like tender hooks for tenterhooks, and I’ve heard people swear tender is more appropriate to the meaning of “on tenterhooks” as well. If you like the eggcorn better, then use the eggcorn. Just don’t try to claim it’s an acorn. ---
**Author:** ![GSV\_Consolation\_of\_Dreams](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/f1d935/32.png) [@GSV\_Consolation\_of\_Dreams](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GSV_Consolation_of_Dreams)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2012, 7:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-have-got-another-thing-or-think-coming/640931/166 "2012-11-23T07:57:58Z")
Another vote for “think”. I don’t think the two variants even sound the same, but maybe that’s because I speak in a very boring neutral british english accent. I don’t know how to properly describe the phonetics though. ---
**Author:** ![solosam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9d8465/32.png) [@solosam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/solosam)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2012, 11:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-have-got-another-thing-or-think-coming/640931/167 "2012-11-23T23:49:41Z")
I was recently reviewing a periodical titled, “The Goon,” (v.3, issue 18). This issue includes an article which claims “Thing” is the more common and correct usage. As “The Goon” represents a scholarly journal of the highest repute, I consider these findings authoritative. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Niply\_Elder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/8e8cbc/32.png) [@The\_Niply\_Elder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Niply_Elder)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2012, 8:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-have-got-another-thing-or-think-coming/640931/168 "2012-11-24T08:22:59Z")
The usage of the expression is a warning or threat. Therefore, have another thing coming makes perfect sense, as many posters mentioned previously it is clear that implies something along the lines of a fist coming toward your face. Anywa, for the supporters of “think coming”, can you provide with any independent usages of “think” as a noun that is not some sort of advice/warning/threat related to this passage? I thing not. ---
**Author:** ![Jragon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e19b73/32.png) [@Jragon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jragon)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2012, 8:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-have-got-another-thing-or-think-coming/640931/169 "2012-11-24T08:35:44Z")
nm ---
**Author:** ![GSV\_Consolation\_of\_Dreams](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/f1d935/32.png) [@GSV\_Consolation\_of\_Dreams](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GSV_Consolation_of_Dreams)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2012, 9:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-have-got-another-thing-or-think-coming/640931/170 "2012-11-24T09:11:07Z")
> [@The\_Niply\_Elder](#): > > The usage of the expression is a warning or threat. Therefore, have another thing coming makes perfect sense, as many posters mentioned previously it is clear that implies something along the lines of a fist coming toward your face. > > Anywa, for the supporters of “think coming”, can you provide with any independent usages of “think” as a noun that is not some sort of advice/warning/threat related to this passage? I thing not. Hmm, I will have to have a good long think about that. I’m sure I can come up with something though… ---
**Author:** ![The\_Niply\_Elder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/8e8cbc/32.png) [@The\_Niply\_Elder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Niply_Elder)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2012, 1:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-have-got-another-thing-or-think-coming/640931/171 "2012-11-25T01:00:03Z")
I wouldn’t consider your example as an independent usage of the noun think. It’s a variation of the same “have a think” expression debated in the thread. ---
**Author:** ![Ximenean](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/aca169/32.png) [@Ximenean](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ximenean)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2012, 2:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-have-got-another-thing-or-think-coming/640931/172 "2012-11-25T02:39:13Z")
I thought you said it had to be advice, a warning, or a threat? Anyway, the noun status of “think” is beside the point. Clearly, while it is a legitimate noun, it is mostly used as a verb. But, as has been said above, in the phrase under discussion it seems to have formed part of a mild play on words, with the noun echoing the more conventional verb usage earlier in the phrase. It apes the way certain other words involving sensation and experience have verb/noun duality (e.g. look, smell, touch etc.) and deliberately employs a similar but less common and therefore slightly odd-sounding noun usage for comic effect. In plain terms, it is supposed to sound a bit silly. Objections that it isn’t actually very funny are equally beside the point. These things are subjective. It was the 19th century. They were easily amused. ---
**Author:** ![cmyk](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cmyk/32/3353_2.png) [@cmyk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cmyk)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2012, 8:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-have-got-another-thing-or-think-coming/640931/173 "2012-11-25T08:10:16Z")
“Thing”, because I can’t make a fist in a mock-threatening manner, and say, “If you’re planning on eating that last slice, you’ve got another _thing_\* coming.” It’s mostly used as a threat, warning or admonition (mockingly, or real). “Think” just doesn’t work… and sounds weird. Is this a colloquialism? Like many, I’ve never even heard “think” until this thread. Must be the Judas Priest. \*_My very unimposing fist._ ---
**Author:** ![GSV\_Consolation\_of\_Dreams](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/f1d935/32.png) [@GSV\_Consolation\_of\_Dreams](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GSV_Consolation_of_Dreams)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2012, 4:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-have-got-another-thing-or-think-coming/640931/174 "2012-11-25T16:22:55Z")
> [@The\_Niply\_Elder](#): > > I wouldn’t consider your example as an independent usage of the noun think. It’s a variation of the same “have a think” expression debated in the thread. [Dictionary.com](http://Dictionary.com) lists it as a verb, noun and adjective: noun 21. Informal . the act or a period of thinking: I want to sit down and give it a good think. ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2012, 8:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-have-got-another-thing-or-think-coming/640931/175 "2012-11-26T20:46:41Z")
> [@cmyk](#): > > “Thing”, because I can’t make a fist in a mock-threatening manner, and say, “If you’re planning on eating that last slice, you’ve got another _thing_\* coming.” > > It’s mostly used as a threat, warning or admonition (mockingly, or real). “Think” just doesn’t work… and sounds weird. > > Is this a colloquialism? Like many, I’ve never even heard “think” until this thread. > > Must be the Judas Priest. > > \*_My very unimposing fist._ Exactly. How can “another think coming” be a threat? I mean, I can understand “think” being used the way the Dopers above think it is used, but I’ve only heard it used as a threat. And, in fact, I almost never hear it in context with “If you think that.” It’s just “You got another thing coming, mister” said in an aggressive tone (in movies) or a faux aggressive tone in real life. I think that, no matter how it originally started, the phrase “you have another thing coming” is now used legitimately, even granting that “another think coming” still exists. ---
**Author:** ![Kiwi\_Fruit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kiwi_fruit/32/12_2.png) [@Kiwi\_Fruit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kiwi_Fruit)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2012, 11:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-have-got-another-thing-or-think-coming/640931/176 "2012-11-26T23:22:47Z")
> [@cmyk](#): > > “Thing”, because I can’t make a fist in a mock-threatening manner, and say, “If you’re planning on eating that last slice, you’ve got another _thing_\* coming.” > > It’s mostly used as a threat, warning or admonition (mockingly, or real). “Think” just doesn’t work… and sounds weird. > > Is this a colloquialism? Like many, I’ve never even heard “think” until this thread. > > Must be the Judas Priest. > > \*_My very unimposing fist._ > [@BigT](#): > > Exactly. How can “another think coming” be a threat? I mean, I can understand “think” being used the way the Dopers above think it is used, but I’ve only heard it used as a threat. And, in fact, I almost never hear it in context with “If you think that.” It’s just “You got another thing coming, mister” said in an aggressive tone (in movies) or a faux aggressive tone in real life. > > I think that, no matter how it originally started, the phrase “you have another thing coming” is now used legitimately, even granting that “another think coming” still exists. I think these two posts encapsulate the argument for “thing”: the users of the expression believe it to be a threat and don’t start the phrase with the obligatory “If you think that…” which is matched by “…you’ve got another think coming!” I’m in the “think” camp and have never heard it used without the beginning “If you think…” It’s more of a warning or caution that you are mistaken than a threat. ---
**Author:** ![Musicat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/musicat/32/20189_2.png) [@Musicat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Musicat)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2012, 11:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-have-got-another-thing-or-think-coming/640931/177 "2012-11-26T23:34:07Z")
It’s 6 o’clock, and I think I’ll have a beer. That’s a “think.” Tortured, but understandable. “Dad, can I have a beer?” says Musicat-lite. “If you think you can have a beer, young squirt, you’ve got another think coming,” says Musicat. ---
**Author:** ![cmyk](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cmyk/32/3353_2.png) [@cmyk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cmyk)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2012, 8:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-have-got-another-thing-or-think-coming/640931/178 "2012-11-27T08:45:21Z")
“No no, that’s not it, you need another think.” “See, the think is…” “The thing is, I believe you have the wrong think. Have you tried another think?” Just… weird… _twitch_ ---
**Author:** ![furdmort](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e47774/32.png) [@furdmort](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/furdmort)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2012, 12:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-have-got-another-thing-or-think-coming/640931/179 "2012-11-27T12:32:14Z")
> [@DSeid](#): > > 1. Nimrod for idiot is not the Beavis and Butthead generation but [the Bugs Bunny one](http://www.omg-facts.com/Celebs/Nimrod-became-a-synonym-for-idiot-thank/50925?c_val=1). > > 2. “Thing” is the usual way I’ve always heard it, and always “you got another …” and never “you’ve got …” When I heard “think coming” I always thought someone was trying to be cutsie in some way. And coming off dumb. > > 3. Both apparently go way back and neither seems to really have a clear claim as “the right way” either by virtue of original phrase or by being overwhelmingly used. Nah. I’m the bugs Bunny generation, and I always got that Nimrod was all about Elmer Fudd being a “mighty (poor excuse for a) hunter” because I’d actually read books and stories with references to Nimrod, as well as having heard of the british Nimrod fighter plane. It’s the Beavis and Butthead generation who only read at gun point and got all their education from MTV that transformed Nimrod into a fool. ---
**Author:** ![Krouget](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/b38774/32.png) [@Krouget](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Krouget)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2012, 1:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-have-got-another-thing-or-think-coming/640931/180 "2012-11-27T13:08:04Z")
I’ve always heard “thing” used in the phrase, and while it doesn’t make the most sense once I really thought about it, I understood the intended idea…it never garnered another think. 🙂 However, after reading the arguments for “think”, and understanding the humor, it actually does make more sense than “thing”. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-have-got-another-thing-or-think-coming/640931.md?page=8)