"Who you talkin to, Willis?" *

* Yhis question is a take-off of a memorable line from the television show "Diff'rent Strokes".

Hated it.** The show-not the saying. The saying has had more social impact than the widely syndicated television show. I believe this because it definitely seems that that "What you talkin bout, Willis?" sayin has become a part of American [non-Black as well as Black?] snark [lightly sarcastic]vernacular. It is used when somebody wants to ask that question. It's another way of saying "I don't get you drift."

See this excerpt from Diff'rent Strokes-Did You Know?:

"On paper, Gary Coleman's famous line read "what are you talking about?". It was Gary Coleman who said it like "whatchoo talkin' 'bout?" [but ya gotta also say "Whatchoo talkin' bout, Willis'. Willis was the name of Gary Coleman's character [whatever his name was] older brother, Willis [played by Todd Bridges].

-snip-

** The "Hated it" line is also part of American vernacular-for quite a number of Black Americans, at least. It comes from the 1990-1994 African American mostly comedic sketches television program In Living Color.

In one recurring skit, Damon Wayans and another regular actor on that series took on the roles of two Black urban gay art/movie critics. If one or both of these critics really liked something they were reviewing, they'd give it "two snaps up". If they really didn't like something, they'd say in unison "Hated it." . I think at the same time they said this they'd also make the "two thumbs down" gesture.

Btw, Damon Wayans is also responsible for creating the very memorable character "Homie D. Clown", and his signature saying "Homie don't play that" [in this context "play that" means "do that"]. This saying has also become part of African American colloquial culture.[or whatever you call the informal sayings that folks say].

See Homie D. Clown and More Info about "In Living Color". This page includes a photo of the two movie/art critics.


****

Sorry for going off topic. Needles to say, none of this relates even a little bit to LadyJean's initial request for help. I think it was the "divided by a common language" comment that was made upthread that got me off on this tangent. Be that as it may, my off-topic musing may be of interest to readers of this thread.

Then again, this post and others I wrote in this thread [and other Mudcat threads] about African American vernacular may be of no interest to you at all.

In that case, you can ask "What you talkin 'bout, Willis?" You can also say "Hated it" and give these posts two thumbs down.

Or you can play pass them.

or do or say whatever you do or say when you don't like being bothered with something or someone.

In any event, have a good morning, or a good afternoon, or a good evening or a good night {whatever time it is where you are}.

Azizi