Etymology

flabbergast

flab·ber·gast
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Today it means: To overwhelm with bewilderment; to amaze, confound, or stun, especially in a ludicrous manner. Full definition →

First used late 18th c.
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The story

The origin of the verb is uncertain; possibly dialectal (Suffolk), from flabby or flap (“to strike”) + aghast. The word may be related to Scottish flabrigast (“to boast”) or flabrigastit (“worn out with exertion”). The noun is derived from the verb.

First known use, by meaning

  • from late 18th c. To overwhelm with bewilderment; to amaze, confound, or stun, especially in a ludicrous manner.

Etymology from Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.