Wiktionary

tomayto, tomahto

See also: tomayto tomahto

English edit

Alternative forms edit

Etymology edit

Uses the American English and British English pronunciations of the word tomato. Allusion to George Gershwin's song "Let's Call the Whole Thing Off": "You like tomato (/təˈmeɪtoʊ/) and I like tomato (/təˈmɑːtoʊ/)".

Pronunciation edit

  • IPA(key): /təˈmeɪtoʊ təˈmɑːtəʊ/
  • Audio (AU)(file)

Phrase edit

tomayto, tomahto

  1. (idiomatic) Used to dismiss a correction to one's adherence to an alternative standard
  2. (idiomatic) Used to dismissively suggest that something is a distinction without a difference
  3. (idiomatic) Used to express two similar things being exactly the same, when they are slightly different
    • 2009, N. B. Grace, Disney High School Musical: #1: Stories from East High Bind Up #1, Disney Press, →ISBN, page 78:
      "Tomayto, tomahto," she said, and Taylor laughed. So they ended on a good note.
    • 2014, C.E. Murphy, Shaman Rises, Harlequin, →ISBN, page 282:
      “I withheld truth, but I did not lie.” “Tomayto, tomahto.”
    • 2017, Cheryl Etchison, From the Start: An American Valor Novel, HarperCollins, →ISBN, page 15:
      “Okay, then, how about Michael?” “Tomayto, tomahto.” Kacie sighed in disappointment.

Translations edit

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