how should I know?

This page is about the conversational phrase how should I know?

Meaning

You can say this if you're annoyed because you've been asked a question you couldn't possibly know the answer to.

For example

  • "Where did your brother go?"
    "How should I know? I'm not his guardian!"

  • "Can you take alcohol into Malaysia?"
    "How should I know? I've never even been there!"

Quick Quiz

I said, "Why isn't Lee here?" and Ken said, "How should I know?" Ken was

a. pleased I'd asked him

b. surprised I'd asked him

c. sorry that he don't know
a) pleased I'd asked him b) surprised I'd asked him c) sorry that he don't know

Contributor: Matt Errey