Idiom Breakdown

tomayto, tomahto

//təˈmeɪtoʊ təˈmɑːtoʊ//

English pronunciation spellingsEnglish responses

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Definition

Used to dismiss a correction to one's adherence to an alternative standard.

Used to dismissively suggest that a particular distinction is a distinction without a difference; used to express the assertion that two similar things are effectively the same, despite any trivial difference.

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Origins

Uses the American English and British English pronunciations of the word tomato. Allusion to George Gershwin's song "Let's Call the Whole Thing Off": "You like tomato (/təˈmeɪtə/) and I like tomato (/təˈmɑːtə/)".

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In Context

"A: Then you hook the hose up to the bibcock, and you're done. B: You mean the sillcock. A: Tomayto, tomahto."
"A: Then you revise the database record for that transaction, and you're done. B: You mean you replace the old record with a new one. A: Tomayto, tomahto."
""Tomayto, tomahto," she said, and Taylor laughed. So they ended on a good note."
"“I withheld truth, but I did not lie.” “Tomayto, tomahto.”"
"“Okay, then, how about Michael?” “Tomayto, tomahto.” Kacie sighed in disappointment."

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Also Said As

potayto, potahto