I KNOW (wot) what I know (wot)

Insights

Insinuation of Secret Knowledge

The phrase is used to imply the possession of secret, significant, or sensitive information that the speaker is deliberately choosing not to reveal, creating an air of mystery or insinuation.

Stubborn Conviction

It functions as a declaration of unshakeable conviction, used to end a discussion or dismiss opposing viewpoints by asserting that the speaker's personal knowledge is final and not open to debate.

Assertion of Power

By hinting at undisclosed information, the speaker can assert dominance or control over a situation, suggesting they have an advantage or cannot be deceived.

Veiled Threat

The proverb can serve as a veiled warning or threat, suggesting that the speaker's hidden knowledge could be damaging if it were to be revealed.

Historical and Literary Context

The use of 'wot', an archaic term for 'know', grounds the proverb in a historical context of common speech, while its frequent appearance in Elizabethan and Jacobean drama, especially by Shakespeare, highlights its role in expressing stubborn, folksy certainty or hinting at undisclosed truths.

Psychological Defense

Psychologically, the phrase acts as a conversational shield. It's a defense mechanism to shut down debate, assert control by withholding information, and protect the speaker's ego by claiming an unassailable position of knowledge, whether real or imagined.

Social Dynamics

In social interactions, uttering this phrase is a power move. It obstructs dialogue and attempts to grant the speaker authority based on secret information, often frustrating listeners by refusing to engage in reasoned argument or provide evidence.

Shakespearean Application

Shakespeare masterfully uses this phrase for various effects: from the comically obstinate ("Say what you will, sir, but I know what I know" in 'The Comedy of Errors') to the chillingly defiant, as in Iago's final refusal to explain his motives in 'Othello' ("Demand me nothing. What you know, you know."), turning a common saying into a moment of profound psychological closure and control.

Rhetorical Devices

Tautology

The phrase is a tautology, repeating the same concept ('knowing') to create rhetorical emphasis. This redundancy highlights the speaker's absolute certainty and the closed, final nature of their statement.

Repetition and Cadence

The simple, repetitive structure creates a memorable and forceful rhythm, making it an effective and easily recalled retort in conversation.

Idiomatic Expression

The meaning is highly idiomatic, relying on conversational context to convey its true intent of secrecy, stubbornness, or insinuation, which is not apparent from a purely literal reading.