know whether one is Arthur or Martha

English

Verb

know whether one is Arthur or Martha (third-person singular simple present knows whether one is Arthur or Martha, present participle knowing whether one is Arthur or Martha, simple past knew whether one was Arthur or Martha, past participle known whether one was Arthur or Martha)

1. (colloquial, chiefly Australia, New Zealand) To be in a clear state of mind.
   • 2007, Helen Garner, The First Stone: 25th Anniversary Edition, Picador Australia, →ISBN:

     His impression was that practically everyone at the party had been drinking on the night in question, and 'wouldn't have known whether they were Arthur or Martha.

   • 2012, Dawn Eagle, Eliza and the Blue Rose, Xlibris Corporation, →ISBN, page 266:

     'For an hour or two after he's had that, he doesn't know whether he's Arthur or Martha.'

   • 2012, Marie-Therese Gould (Stein), Dirt to Scratch and Eggs to Lay: A Journey From Mitchell to Ma’s, Xlibris Corporation (→ISBN), page 241:

     The poor little darling had so many mothers; she didn't know whether she was Arthur or Martha!

Usage notes

• Almost always used in the negative.