1910s
Still common
Definition
Completely dazed, speechless, or caught off guard — staring blankly like you've had the wind knocked out of you.
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Where "Like a Stunned Mullet" Comes From
The image comes from mullet fishing, where fishermen would stun the fish — sometimes with dynamite, or by throwing stones — leaving them floating dazed on the surface.
The earliest known use in print comes from a 1918 letter describing soldiers waiting under fire, and it's been a favourite Australian put-down for confusion ever since.
Example Sentence
He just stood there like a stunned mullet when they announced the surprise party.
How Aussies Actually Use It
Used for anyone caught completely off guard or left speechless, whether by shock, surprise, or simple confusion.
One of a long line of Australian fishing-and-animal similes for looking dazed or out of it.
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