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Used to indicate that what was just said was not serious or meant as a joke.
I'm the best chef in the world — just kidding!
The speaker is joking about being the best chef.
You're going to fail your exam — just kidding, you'll do great!
The speaker is teasing but reassuring the listener.
Commonly used in casual conversation to soften a statement that might otherwise be taken seriously.
Use 'just kidding' to signal that a statement was made in jest, especially if it could be taken seriously or be perceived as rude. It helps maintain a lighthearted tone in conversation.
While 'just kidding' is useful for clarifying playful intent, overusing it may make your speech sound insincere or dismissive.
The phrase combines the adverb 'just' (meaning 'simply') and the present participle 'kidding' (from 'kid', meaning 'to joke or tease'). The expression emerged in the mid-20th century as a way to clarify playful or non-serious intent in conversation.
'Just kidding' is typically used in spoken English and informal written communication. It is often accompanied by a playful tone or facial expression to signal that the statement was not meant to be taken literally. The phrase can also be used to downplay a potentially offensive remark.