unable to can

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English

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Etymology

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From can't even (to be unable to express one's feelings about an overwhelming situation), with the implication that one has lost the capacity of English due to shock.

Phrase

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unable to can

  1. (slang, humorous) Rendered utterly speechless or overwhelmed with a situation.
    • 2016 April 25, Phoebe Robinson, “The Catch Recap: A Bug's Life”, in Vulture[1], archived from the original on 21 June 2023:
      I literally cannot with William. I will continue to be unable to can with this fool.
    • 2020 March 25, Harriet Johnston, “Woman reveals her mother has placed a raw ONION in the corner of every room in the house in a bizarre attempt to ward off coronavirus”, in Daily Mail[2], London: DMG Media, →ISSN, →OCLC, archived from the original on 2022-10-14:
      She said: 'This is the peak of the whatsapp mother's cult. I am unable to can lmao.'