Language is a weird, living beast that breathes and evolves right under our noses. Sometimes, it evolves because we’re all collectively a little bit lazy or just plain confused. If you’ve ever told someone they were wrong by saying, "If you think that, you've got another thing coming," you’re part of a massive, decades-long linguistic shift. You’re also, technically, using a "wrong" phrase that became right through sheer force of will.
It’s one of those things that keeps grammarians up at night.
The original phrase wasn't "thing." It was "think." But try saying that at a bar or in a heated argument without sounding like you have a marble stuck in your throat. It doesn't flow. So, over the last century, "think" morphed into "thing," and now we’re left with a cultural tug-of-war between historical accuracy and modern usage.
Honestly, it’s fascinating how a simple slip of the tongue becomes the standard.
The Battle Between Think and Thing
Let’s go back to basics. The actual, original idiom is: "If that’s what you think, you’ve got another think coming."
It sounds clunky, right? It feels like the sentence just tripped over its own feet. But logically, it makes sense. If your first "think" (your initial thought) was wrong, you need to go back and have a second "think" to get it right. It’s a bit British. It’s a bit old-school.
The first recorded instances of the "think" version pop up in the mid-19th century. We see it in British newspapers and American regional writing. People used "think" as a noun, which was common back then. You’d "have a think" about a problem. So, if your first think was a failure, you had another one coming your way.
Then came the 20th century.
Somewhere along the line, people started mishearing it. Or maybe they just liked the "th" sound of "thing" better. It’s easier to say. By the time the 1970s and 80s rolled around, you've got another thing coming had completely overtaken the original in popular culture. It became the dominant version in the US, while the UK held onto "think" a little bit longer.
Today, if you use the "correct" version, most people will probably look at you like you’ve lost your mind.
Why the Shift Happened
Phonetics plays a huge role here. "Think coming" requires a hard stop between the 'k' and the 'c'. It’s an awkward vocal jump. "Thing coming" flows. The 'ng' sound slides right into the 'c' with much less effort.
Language usually follows the path of least resistance.
There’s also the semantic shift. When we say "another thing," we’re usually implying a consequence or a rude awakening. It feels more ominous. Telling someone they have a "thing" coming feels like a threat of a physical or situational reality check. Telling them they have a "think" coming just sounds like you’re giving them a homework assignment.
The Judas Priest Effect
You can’t talk about this phrase without talking about British heavy metal legends Judas Priest. In 1982, they released their smash hit, "You've Got Another Thing Comin'."
It was a massive success. It’s one of the quintessential 80s rock anthems.
Rob Halford belts out the title line with so much conviction that he basically cemented the "thing" version into the global lexicon. If a leather-clad rock god says it’s "thing," then for millions of fans, it’s "thing." Period.
Interestingly, Judas Priest is a British band. In the UK, the "think" version was still very much the standard in the early 80s. Whether the band chose "thing" intentionally because it sounded "more rock" or if they just used the version they preferred, it acted as a massive catalyst for the Americanization of the phrase.
What the Experts Say
If you open the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, they’re pretty chill about it. They acknowledge that "another thing coming" is the more common variant now. They basically say that while "think" is the origin, "thing" is so widespread that it’s accepted as standard English.
The Oxford English Dictionary is a bit more conservative, but even they have to acknowledge the reality of how people actually talk.
Linguists like Steven Pinker often point out that language isn't a fixed set of rules handed down by a mountain deity. It’s a consensus. If 90% of the population agrees that a "thing" is coming, then the language has officially changed. That’s how we got words like "lewd" (which used to mean "layman") or "nice" (which used to mean "ignorant").
When to Use Which Version
Context is everything. If you’re writing a formal academic paper or a period piece set in 1890, you should probably stick with "another think coming." It shows you’ve done your research. It gives that air of pedantic precision that certain audiences crave.
In almost every other scenario? Use "thing."
If you use "think" in a casual conversation today, you’re going to spend the next ten minutes explaining why you said it, which effectively kills the vibe of whatever point you were trying to make. There is nothing less "cool" than stopping an argument to give a lecture on 19th-century etymology.
The Regional Divide
Interestingly, you can still find pockets where the "think" version survives.
- The United Kingdom: Older generations still lean toward "think." You’ll hear it in the BBC or in more traditional literature.
- The American South: You sometimes hear "think" in older Appalachian dialects, which often preserve archaic British speech patterns.
- Legal and Academic Circles: Occasionally used by people who take great pride in being technically correct.
Most of the time, though, the "thing" version has won the war. It’s the version you’ll see in movie scripts, song lyrics, and Twitter (X) threads. It’s the version that fits our modern cadence.
Is it a Mondegreen?
A "mondegreen" is a word or phrase that results from a mishearing of another word or phrase. Think "Scuse me while I kiss this guy" instead of "Scuse me while I kiss the sky."
"You’ve got another thing coming" is arguably the most successful mondegreen in history.
It’s not just a misheard lyric; it’s a misheard concept that replaced the original. It’s a testament to the power of the collective ear. We heard something that made slightly more sense to us—or at least felt more natural to say—and we collectively decided to keep it.
Common Misconceptions
People often think that "thing" is just a "stupid" mistake. That’s not really fair.
Language evolves through these kinds of "mistakes." If we didn't change things, we’d still be speaking Old English, and you wouldn't be able to read this article. The shift from "think" to "thing" isn't a sign of declining intelligence; it’s a sign of a living language adapting to the way people actually communicate.
Another misconception is that the "thing" version doesn't make sense. Critics say, "What 'thing' is coming?" Well, the "thing" is the consequence. The "thing" is the reality that is about to hit you. It’s a perfectly valid, if slightly vague, noun.
Usage in Modern Media
Look at how the phrase is used in 2026. It’s a staple of political commentary and sports journalism.
"If the underdog thinks they’re going to walk away with a win, they’ve got another thing coming."
In this context, "thing" acts as a placeholder for "upset" or "reality check." It works. It’s punchy. It fits the 24-hour news cycle energy.
Actionable Insights for Using Idioms
If you’re worried about sounding "wrong" or "too pedantic," here’s how to handle these tricky linguistic shifts:
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1. Know Your Audience
If you’re talking to a group of English professors, maybe drop the "think" version to gain some street cred. If you’re at a BBQ, stay far away from it.
2. Don't Correct People
Unless you want to be "that person," don't correct someone who says "another thing coming." They aren't wrong in the eyes of modern usage, and you’ll just look like a jerk.
3. Embrace the Evolution
Language is a tool for communication. If the "thing" version communicates your point effectively, use it. The goal is to be understood, not to be a historical artifact.
4. Check Your Sources
If you’re a writer, check the style guide of the publication you’re writing for. Some older, more conservative outlets might still require "think," though they are becoming rare.
5. Listen for Other Shifts
Once you notice "thing vs. think," you’ll start noticing others. "For all intents and purposes" vs. "For all intensive purposes." (The latter is still definitely considered wrong, by the way—don't use it).
At the end of the day, idioms are about flavor. They add spice to our speech. Whether you’re a traditionalist who clings to "another think coming" or a modern speaker who embraces you've got another thing coming, you’re participating in the ongoing story of the English language.
Just don't be surprised if the person you're talking to has no idea what you're talking about if you choose the 1850s version. You've been warned. If you think people are going to stop saying "thing," well, you know what’s coming.
The best way to stay sharp is to pay attention to how phrases change in the media you consume. Notice when a journalist uses a traditional idiom and when they opt for the "corrupted" version. It’ll give you a better sense of where the cultural needle is currently pointing. If you’re writing professional copy, always default to what sounds most natural to a contemporary ear unless you have a very specific reason to do otherwise. Keeping your language grounded in current usage ensures your message doesn't get lost in the "correction" noise.