Meanings
- informalSkeptical, not easily convinced and requiring proof.
The appeal to experience was the cry of the man from Missouri—the demand to be shown.
1916, John Dewey, “Introduction”, in Essays in Experimental Logic1 more example
When one predicted that the atom bomb would end the world, the other said, ‘I’m from Missouri—you’ll have to show me.’ His friend answered, ‘Hell, who isn’t from Missouri these days?’
2007, John T. Barker, Missouri Lawyer, page 266
Origin
From the saying I'm from Missouri, you'll have to show me, which alludes to the Missourian reputation for skepticism. Compare Show Me State.
Full word history & related roots →Cite this entry
from Missouri. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 4, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/from%20Missouri
“from Missouri.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/from%20Missouri. Accessed November 4, 2026.
WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “from Missouri,” accessed November 4, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/from%20Missouri.
Source: from Missouri on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.