gobsmacked

As if smacked (“hit”) in the gob (“mouth (Irish / Scottish gaelic)”).

Attested since 1959, from Northern English dialect, particularly Liverpool, popularized via television.[1]

• (UK) IPA^(key): /ˈɡɒb.smækt/

• Audio (AU)

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gobsmacked (comparative more gobsmacked, superlative most gobsmacked)

1. (chiefly Britain, Australia, slang) Flabbergasted, astounded, speechless, overawed.
   • 1925 December 1, A Yorkshire Clod-Hopper, “From a Yorkshire Clod-Hopper”, in The Bee-keepers' Record‎, volume 49-53, J. Herrod-Hempsall, retrieved 2018-06-08, page 175:

     That wad mack im about yam sick, so ower Ilkla' moor bar-tat wish un best of luck at Ilkley Station, and when he landed back Martha wad be fare gob smacked at the yarns he wad tell 'er about Yorkshire clod-hoppers.

   • 1989 Aug. 7, Glenn Frankel, "Salman Rushdie's Life on the Run," Los Angeles Times:

     We were as appalled and stunned and confused and gobsmacked (punched on the mouth) as anyone else.

   • 2008 June 16, Caroline Mallan, "Linwood Barclay novel wins a plug on key UK book list," Toronto Star (Canada), p. A2:

     "I guess the word would be gobsmacked," Barclay said, of his reaction. "I am stunned."

• gobsmacking
• gobstruck (much less common)