Says who?

[blacknomi]

I am a bit :? with these phrases.


Who says I have to retire at 60?

A:Says who?
B:Says me, that's who.

My question:
(1)Do both phrases share similiar meanings that indicate suspicion to a certain statement or opinion?

(2)Who says + Subject + verb, can "Who says" stand along?
"Says who" is an independent senetnce, can stand along.

[RonBee]

The phrases share similar meanings, but "Says who?" stands alone, but "Who says" does not. In either case it is a kind of challenge. "Says who?" could be restated as "Who dares to say that?"

• A: You have to retire at 60.
  B: Says who?

• A: You have to retire at 60.
  B: Who says I have to?

:)

[blacknomi]

The phrases share similar meanings, but "Says who?" stands alone, but "Who says" does not. In either case it is a kind of challenge. "Says who?" could be restated as "Who dares to say that?"

• A: You have to retire at 60.
  B: Says who?

• A: You have to retire at 60.
  B: Who says I have to?

:)

Ron, you are just wonderful!

[MikeNewYork]

I am a bit :? with these phrases.


Who says I have to retire at 60?

A:Says who?
B:Says me, that's who.

My question:
(1)Do both phrases share similiar meanings that indicate suspicion to a certain statement or opinion?

(2)Who says + Subject + verb, can "Who says" stand along?
"Says who" is an independent senetnce, can stand along.

I wouldn't say "suspicion". The phrase is argumentative. It questions the validity, propriety, or accuracy of a statement.

Who says or says who can stand alone. Both have a subject and a verb.

[blacknomi]

Who says or says who can stand alone. Both have a subject and a verb.

A: Says who?
B: MNY.
A: But the poet said "who says" cannot stand alone.
B: Who says!

[MikeNewYork]

Who says or says who can stand alone. Both have a subject and a verb.

A: Says who?
B: MNY.
A: But the poet said "who says" cannot stand alone.
B: Who says!

Well, "says who" is more natural as a question because it is inverted. The other version with a question mark is also acceptable, IMO. Neither of them can be called formal language.

[blacknomi]

Who says or says who can stand alone. Both have a subject and a verb.

A: Says who?
B: MNY.
A: But the poet said "who says" cannot stand alone.
B: Who says!

Well, "says who" is more natural as a question because it is inverted. The other version with a question mark is also acceptable, IMO. Neither of them can be called formal language.

Yes, Sir. <salute>

[MikeNewYork]

Who says or says who can stand alone. Both have a subject and a verb.

A: Says who?
B: MNY.
A: But the poet said "who says" cannot stand alone.
B: Who says!

Well, "says who" is more natural as a question because it is inverted. The other version with a question mark is also acceptable, IMO. Neither of them can be called formal language.

Yes, Sir. <salute>

[RonBee]

The phrases share similar meanings, but "Says who?" stands alone, but "Who says" does not. In either case it is a kind of challenge. "Says who?" could be restated as "Who dares to say that?"

• A: You have to retire at 60.
  B: Says who?

• A: You have to retire at 60.
  B: Who says I have to?

:)

Ron, you are just wonderful!

Thanks.

[RonBee]

Mike might be technically right, but I have never heard of anybody saying "Who says?" althought I suppose it is possible.

:)