let the door hit you where the good Lord split you

English

Etymology

Described as early as 1977 as Black American slang constituting a "nasty command to leave, euphemism of 'split you' avoiding profanity." The phrase "where the good Lord split you" describes the crease of the buttocks.

Phrase

let the door hit you where the good Lord split you

1. Synonym of don't let the door hit you on the way out
   • 1991, Dorothy Abbott, Mississippi Writers: Poetry, page 343:

     If you want a ride, you let the doorknob hit you where the good lord split you.

   • 2013, Alice Crespo, Never Be Discouraged, page 74:

     I knew this one guy who said that I could date him as long as I promised him that I would give up my dog and my white cane—I told him, “don't let the door hit you where the good Lord split you.”

   • 2014, Samuel G. Freedman, Breaking the Line: The Season in Black College Football, page 31:

     I need a man around me who's smart as me or smarter. And if you ain't, then get outta that chair. And let the door hit you where the good Lord split you.

Usage notes

Sometimes phrased as "let the doorknob hit you where the good Lord split you"; or as "don't let the door hit you where the good Lord split you" (implying that the person should leave, but avoid being hit by the doorknob on the way out) or even as "let the doorknob hit you where the dog should've bit you".