I Was Confused About "Are You Putting Me On Meaning" - So I Researched Everything
My Quick Answer
After researching extensively, I found that "are you putting me on" means:
- "Are you kidding me?" - Most common meaning
- "Are you joking with me?" - Same idea
- "Are you trying to fool me?" - When something seems unbelievable
- NOT the same as the modern slang "put me on" (which means recommending something)
Why I Researched This Phrase
I kept hearing people say "are you putting me on?" and I honestly wasn't 100% sure what they meant. Was it about physically putting me somewhere? Was it the same as the slang "put me on" (like recommending music)? The phrase confused me, and I couldn't find a clear, comprehensive explanation anywhere.
So I decided to do a deep dive into EVERYTHING about this expression - its meaning, history, usage, and how it differs from similar phrases. Let me share what I learned.
The Complete Meaning - What I Discovered
The Core Meaning
I found that "are you putting me on" is an American English idiom that means someone is asking if you're kidding, teasing, or misleading them - usually in a playful way. It's used when someone tells you something that seems:
- Too good to be true
- Completely surprising or shocking
- Hard to believe
- Suspiciously convenient
Real Examples I Found:
Example 1:
"I won the jackpot!"
"Are you putting me on?" (Translation: Are you serious or just joking?)
Example 2:
"They actually offered me the job with double the salary!"
"Are you putting me on? That's amazing!" (Translation: Is this for real?)
Example 3:
"I'm actually moving to Mars next month for the mission."
"Are you putting me on or are you serious?" (Translation: That sounds crazy - is it true?)
The Fascinating History - Dating Back to 1625!
I was amazed to discover this phrase has a rich history going back centuries! Here's what I uncovered:
📜 1625 - Early Origins:
The use of "put on" meaning "to affect, feign, or pretend" dates back to 1625, appearing in a book written by a clergyman. The idea was "putting on" a performance, like putting on a costume or disguise.
📚 1888 - Oxford English Dictionary:
The OED records the colloquial transitive use "to put it on" (meaning "to affect, feign, pretend") from this year.
🇺🇸 Mid-1900s - American Slang Emerges:
The specific idiomatic question "Are you putting me on?" emerged as American slang during this period.
📰 1965 - New York Times Citation:
A notable early citation appeared in the New York Times on December 27, 1965, comparing it to "pulling my leg."
The Metaphor Behind It
I learned the phrase captures the metaphorical idea of someone "putting on" a performance or pretense - much like an actor putting on a costume or adopting a false appearance. When you ask "are you putting me on?" you're essentially asking: "Are you performing/pretending, or is this genuine?"
CRITICAL: Two Different Phrases That Sound Similar!
⚠️ This Confused Me At First!
I discovered there are TWO completely different phrases that use similar words. This is super important because mixing them up leads to confusion!
Phrase #1: "Are You Putting Me On?" (Traditional Idiom)
- ✓ Meaning: "Are you kidding me?" / "Are you joking?"
- ✓ Usage: When someone tells you something unbelievable
- ✓ Example: "You won the lottery? Are you putting me on?"
- ✓ Origin: 1625, traditional American idiom
Phrase #2: "Put Me On" (Modern Slang)
- ✓ Meaning: "Introduce me to something good" (recommend music, products, trends, etc.)
- ✓ Usage: Asking for recommendations or discoveries
- ✓ Example: "Can you put me on to that new playlist?"
- ✓ Origin: Modern slang from African American Vernacular English (AAVE)
| Aspect | "Are You Putting Me On?" | "Put Me On" (Slang) |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning | Are you joking/kidding? | Recommend/introduce me to something |
| Context | Someone says something unbelievable | Asking for recommendations |
| Example | "You won? Are you putting me on?" | "Put me on to some good music" |
| Origin | 1625 - traditional idiom | Modern AAVE slang |
| Formality | Informal but established | Casual/slang |
Related Expressions I Found
I discovered several expressions that mean basically the same thing as "are you putting me on." It's fascinating how English has so many ways to ask "are you joking?"
British English Equivalents:
🇬🇧 "Are you pulling my leg?"
The most common British equivalent. Same meaning, different metaphor (pulling someone's leg would make them unsteady/off-balance, like tricking them).
🇬🇧 "You're having me on!"
More common in the UK. Short for "having me on" - same idea as "putting me on."
Other American Alternatives:
💬 "Are you kidding me?"
More direct and commonly used today.
💬 "Are you serious?"
Slightly more formal way to express disbelief.
💬 "You must be joking!"
Statement form instead of a question.
💬 "Get out of here!"
Very informal/slang. Means "I don't believe it!"
💬 "For real?"
Casual slang. Short and sweet.
How to Use "Are You Putting Me On" Correctly
When to Use It
I found this expression works best in these situations:
- Casual conversations with friends and family
- When someone shares surprising news (good or bad)
- When something sounds too good to be true
- In playful disbelief - not angry confrontation
Correct Usage Examples:
- ✓ "They offered you a million dollars? Are you putting me on?"
- ✓ "You met Brad Pitt at the coffee shop? Are you putting me on?"
- ✓ "I don't believe you - are you putting me on?"
- ✓ "Stop putting me on and tell me the truth!"
Tone and Context Matter:
😊 Playful/Amused: Said with a smile or laugh
"You won the lottery? Are you putting me on? That's incredible!"
😐 Skeptical: Said with a neutral or questioning tone
"Are you putting me on, or is this actually true?"
😤 Annoyed: Said when you suspect someone is lying
"Stop putting me on! I need the truth."
Common Mistakes and Confusions I Found
Mistake #1: Confusing It with "Put Me On" Slang
I already covered this, but it's worth repeating! The traditional idiom "are you putting me on" (are you joking?) is COMPLETELY different from the modern slang "put me on" (recommend something to me). Context makes it clear which one people mean.
Mistake #2: Using It in Formal Situations
I learned this is an informal expression. Don't use it in:
- Business emails or formal correspondence
- Academic writing
- Very formal conversations
- Professional settings where you don't know people well
Better formal alternatives: "Is this accurate?" "Are you certain?" "Could you confirm this?"
Mistake #3: Taking It Too Literally
I found some learners get confused because "putting" usually means placing something physically. Remember: this is an idiom - the meaning isn't literal. No one is physically putting you anywhere!
My Complete Usage Guide
To help you use this expression correctly, I created this quick reference guide:
| Situation | What to Say | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Friend shares amazing news | "Are you putting me on?" | Playful disbelief, casual context |
| Something sounds suspicious | "Are you putting me on?" | Asking if they're being honest |
| Want music recommendations | "Put me on to some good music" | Using the SLANG meaning |
| Formal business setting | "Could you confirm that?" | Avoid informal idioms |
| British English context | "Are you pulling my leg?" | More common in UK English |
Explore More Grammar Guides
If you found this analysis of "are you putting me on" helpful, I've created other detailed guides to help you master English idioms and expressions:
- 👉 Putting Meaning: Complete Guide
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- 👉 How to Spell Putting: Complete Guide
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- 👉 Puting or Putting: Which is Correct?
Complete analysis of the spelling debate and why only one is correct.
- 👉 Put vs Keep: What's the Difference?
Compare these two common verbs and understand when to use each one.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does "are you putting me on" mean?
I found that "are you putting me on" is an American English idiom that means "are you kidding me?" or "are you joking with me?" It's used when someone tells you something unbelievable and you want to know if they're being serious or teasing you. The expression expresses disbelief and asks for confirmation about whether something is true.
Where does the phrase "putting someone on" come from?
I discovered the phrase has a fascinating history! The use of "put on" meaning "to affect, feign, or pretend" dates back to 1625, appearing in a book by a clergyman. The Oxford English Dictionary records "to put it on" from 1888. The specific idiomatic question "Are you putting me on?" emerged as American slang in the mid-1900s, with a notable citation in the New York Times in 1965 comparing it to "pulling my leg."
Is "are you putting me on" the same as "pulling my leg"?
Yes! I found they mean essentially the same thing - both mean "are you joking with me?" or "are you trying to fool me?" "Pulling my leg" is more common in British English, while "putting me on" is more American, but they're completely interchangeable in meaning. Both express playful disbelief and ask if someone is being serious.
What's the difference between "are you putting me on" and "put me on"?
I learned these are TWO completely different phrases! "Are you putting me on" means "are you joking?" - it's a traditional idiom dating back to 1625. The modern slang "put me on" means "introduce me to something good" (like recommending music, products, or trends) and comes from African American Vernacular English. Same words, totally different meanings! Context makes it clear which one people mean.
How do I use "are you putting me on" in a sentence?
I found it's used as a standalone question when someone tells you something surprising. Examples: "You won the lottery? Are you putting me on?" or "They offered you the job? Are you putting me on or is this serious?" or "You met a celebrity? Are you putting me on?" It expresses disbelief and asks for confirmation about whether something is true or just a joke.
Is "are you putting me on" formal or informal?
I discovered it's definitely informal/slang! This is a casual expression used in conversation with friends, family, or colleagues you know well. You wouldn't use it in formal writing, business correspondence, academic papers, or very formal situations. It's perfect for casual, everyday speech but not for professional contexts where you don't know people well.
What are similar expressions to "are you putting me on"?
I found several alternatives with the same meaning. British English prefers "Are you pulling my leg?" or "You're having me on!" American alternatives include "Are you kidding me?", "Are you serious?", "You must be joking!", "Get out of here!" (very informal), and "For real?" (slang). All express disbelief and ask if someone is joking or being serious.
When was "are you putting me on" first used?
I traced it back to the concept of "putting on" (pretending) from 1625, but the specific question form emerged in American English in the mid-1900s. The New York Times featured it on December 27, 1965, comparing it to "pulling my leg." It's been a common American idiom ever since. The metaphor comes from "putting on" a performance or pretense, like an actor putting on a costume.
Sources
Research for this article was compiled from multiple sources including etymology discussions, dictionary definitions, and language forums. Key sources include:
- [Stack Exchange English - Origin of "putting someone on"](https://english.stackexchange.com/questions/415857/what-is-the-origin-of-putting-someone-on)
- [Dictionary.com - PUT-ON Definition](https://www.dictionary.com/browse/put-on)
- [WordReference Forums - "You're putting me on"](https://forum.wordreference.com/threads/youre-putting-me-on.728985/)
- [Cambridge Dictionary - PUT SOMETHING ON](https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/put-on)
- [Merriam-Webster - PUT (SOMEONE) ON TO](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/put%20%28someone%29%20on%20to)
- [Planoly Glossary - Put Me On Definition](https://www.planoly.com/glossary/put-me-on-put-you-on)