From Seinfeld

S&S · #1 (permalink) Thu Mar 10, 2011 6:06 am *From Seinfeld*

MORTY: Did you have a coke or what?

JACK: I did NOT have a coke.

MORTY: Somebody had a coke

What does "or what" mean here? The way Jack replies, it seems like "or not". I am not sure about it.

Thanks a lot.[/i]

Mister Micawber · #2 (permalink) Thu Mar 10, 2011 7:14 am *From Seinfeld*

'Did you have a coke or what [happened, that there are no cokes left or one coke missing, etc]?'. There is no way to judge precisely what is meant by 'or what' without watching the full context.
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Native English teacher at Mister Micawber's

S&S · #3 (permalink) Thu Mar 10, 2011 7:55 am *From Seinfeld*

Many thanks.

Avtkai · #4 (permalink) Thu Mar 10, 2011 8:23 am *From Seinfeld*

'Or what' is sometimes used at the end of a question when the questioner wants to know quickly the answer or what is happening. So someone might ask, 'are you coming or what?'

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