Etymology

how embarrassment

Today it means: An expression of embarrassment, either for the speaker or for another individual or group. Full definition →

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The story

A catchphrase of Effie Stephanidis, a character who first appeared on the Australian TV show Acropolis Now (1989–1992) and is played by Mary Coustas. Stephanidis is a Greek-Australian, and the phrase is an imitation of the style of English often spoken by immigrants to Australia.

Etymology from Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.