I see, said the blind man

phrase

Expressing confusion.

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Meanings

phrase
  1. idiomaticExpressing confusion.
  2. idiomaticExpressing understanding after an initial period of confusion.

Origin

USA, about 1860. This form of word play is known as a Wellerism.

Full word history & related roots →

Translations

Greek βλέπω, είπε ο τυφλός
  • βλέπω, είπε ο τυφλός (vlépo, eípe o tyflós)expressing confusion
Italian no fixed expression, but the speaker would usually disparage his own intellect
  • no fixed expressionexpressing confusion
  • but the speaker would usually disparage his own intellectexpressing confusion
Cite this entry
APA

I see, said the blind man. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 5, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/I%20see%2C%20said%20the%20blind%20man

MLA

“I see, said the blind man.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/I%20see%2C%20said%20the%20blind%20man. Accessed November 5, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “I see, said the blind man,” accessed November 5, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/I%20see%2C%20said%20the%20blind%20man.

Source: I see, said the blind man on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.