from MSNFrom This Land We Are Made. From This Land We Will AWOL. says:
Mmm happen to remember how the “then you know” conversation started?
From This Land We Are Made. From This Land We Will AWOL. says:
What were u talkin bout then ah?
Az says:
i thoguht about it when you msged me ‘loser bitch’.
From This Land We Are Made. From This Land We Will AWOL. says:
Mmm then?
Az says:
i thought i wanted to sms u back.. i eat your chicken basket then you know.
Az says:
then i began wondering what it meant.
From This Land We Are Made. From This Land We Will AWOL. says:
Oh yeah that’s right.
Az says:
i kill you then you know.
james lye is my hero :: http://www.usdudes.com/ says:
i know then you know!
From This Land We Are Made. From This Land We Will AWOL. says:
So there you have it Zhak.
Az says:
wah kao! you know then you know!

This Saturday at MakDauds, we discussed the origins of the term “then you know”. While apparently simple, Azmi appeared perplexed by its origins and what exactly it means.

“Then you know” is added for emphasis at the end of a threat, for example “I punch your face then you know!” What is less clear, of course, is what exactly it is that we’re supposed to “know”.

We suggested that a standard English equivalent would be the use of “or else”, for example “You’d better finish your homework or else!” The use of “or else” is quite vague and is merely a threat, hinting at the possibility of punishment. The syntax behind then you know is quite different, as the punishment is clearly spelt out.

I suggested that maybe this “knowledge” is to know in the Biblical sense, that it is to have uh… carnal relations with someone. Of course, then it would be possible that we would end up saying things like “I know you then you know!” and “I know you upside down then you know!”

Of course, the actual answer is quite obvious if you really thought about it. “Then you know” is a shortened phrase, similar to “Sup?”, short for “Whassup?”, short for “What’s up?”, short for “What is up?”, which is slang for “How are you” or “What are you doing right now?”. But anyway… Since it’s basically a threat, if it were complete it would “Then you know not to mess with me” or “Then you know the power of the dark side” or something similar.

So the mystery is solved.

This was also the session where Azmi and Farhan thought they had died. They were seated at a far corner of Maks Place where the waiters couldn’t see them and at one point I just walked past them, although it still wasn’t as bad as the time Boes walked around us and still couldn’t see us for at least five minutes. The truth of course, was that Azmi and Farhan had died and I was an angel, sent by God to ease their passing into the afterlife. But anyway….

That outing also gave us inspiration for a new UsDudes feature. For the sake of secrecy I can’t really give away too much about what it is. I can only say three words: Story of Azmi. Be afraid. Be very afraid.

*For the record, From This Land We Are Made. From This Land We Will AWOL. is Farhan, james lye is my hero is me (Zhaki) and Az is, obviously, Azmi.