English

Phrase

that's what I'm talking about

1. Used to express enthusiastic support for the referent of that.
   • 1954, Jean Kerr, King of hearts‎, page 32:

     Daisy Mae just says that the Fiendo-Monster wanted to be sure everybody could see his whole face so he shaved off his mustache.
     [Larry] There! That's what I'm talking about. When he turns around he's going to look like me.

   • 1967, Jimi Hendrix (music), “Fire”, in Are You Experienced:

     Yeah, you know what I'm talking 'bout / Yeah, get on with it, baby / That's what I'm talking 'bout / Now dig this!

   • 1968, James Baldwin, The Amen Corner, page 46:

     [Sister Moore] Is she been trying to serve the Lord? Or is she just wanted to put herself up over everybody else?
     [Brother Boxer] Now, that's what I'm talking about. The Word say, You going to know a tree by it's fruit. And we ain't been seeing such good fruit from Sister Margaret.

Usage notes

• The term has become a catch phrase derived from its ordinary meaning in conversation.

Translations