I was a kid in the 60's.. This phrase was not used by older sophisticated persons.. It was simply a juvenile response to juvenile name calling.. Some dumb kid would say: "You're Stupid" the simple and quick response would be "I know you are but what am I".. Sometimes (probably when first used) a good come back to one who was truly stupid, because it confounds them, confuses them.. "Uh uh uh, um, you're stupid?"
In actuallity, the phrase would go back and forth, several times.. "You're stupid", "I know you are but what am I" "You're dumb", "I know you are but what am I".. "What a jerk", "I know you are but what am I", "Jerk", "I know you are but what am I"...
Just a juvenile thing.. Used so often though (way back when) that til this day, I use the phrase in response to good compliments.. Most people my age, or close too, enjoy and laugh :)
Example: "You're cute" my response "I know you are but what am I" :)
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It's quite simply the most retarded comeback someone makes when they've completely lost the argument. This statement signifies that the argument has gone to a completely immature level. Below is a hardcore argument starting with the immature statement :)
Person 1: I know you are, but what am I?
Person 2: Good question. What are you?
Person 1: Wow, you're so dumb, you don't even know what I am?
Person 2: You're so dumb, you can't even answer my question.
Person 1: I don't answer stupid questions. Sorry.
Person 2: Then you shouldn't have made your first one.
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The best come back to any insult in the history of the planet. Using this phrase will completely destroy and annihilate your component, so only use of absolutely necessary. (Say they think Sam and cat is a good TV show)
Fred:Our mom just died
Joe:I know you are but what am I
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the most offensive comeback to ever be said. this comeback makes "your mom" seem like a nice thing to say. this comeback can out roast any insult thrown your way.
person one:You gay
person two: i know you are, but what am i
whole everyone else: OOOOHHHHHHH
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not to know someone
i dont know you from adam
i dont know him from adam
i dont know her from adam
John: Yo ma what's really good?
Sam: oh please, I dont know you from adam
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A retort with profound implications. Pee Wee's greatest contribution to youth culture.
Person A: You smell bad.
Person B: There's this thing about a small squirrel and how nobody loves you. Hi-ya! Now that's what I call a verbal bitch-slap.
Person A: I know you are, but what am I?
Person B: Haha what a complete fail of a a comeback. It's like, your face is all red, and you can't come up with a comeback.
Person A: It made no sense, but therein lies the point. The notion that one needs to respond with a rehearsed "comeback" is inane. Your squirrel-centric comeback was also inane; it failed to address your abhorrent smell, it seemed to mistake randomness for wit (really a squirrel?), and the mere fact that you would use it as an example of a verbal bitch-slap is laughable, as it lacks slap. It is quite slap-less. I respond to inanity with inanity.
Person B: Well, "your" still a faggot. And now I'm going to win this by blowing your mind with an ounce of inverse-Descartian drivel.
Person A: Nooooooooooooooo
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