In context, with the right intonation, it's always CRYSTAL clear. It means that the person thinks too highly of him or herself without any substantial basis for that opinion and is acting in a way that demonstrates his or her feelings of superiority.
Ex. Your snobby neighbor shows up at the casual block party in a lame jumpsuit and heels, full makeup. Everyone else brought potluck items to share for all, she clearly has with her like four overpriced bakery cookies. She's already been talking about how she can't stay long.
"Did you see Irene?" [Meaningful look] "Yes, she thinks who the hell SHE is." "Mmmm-hmmm."
cville your explaination makes sense It sounds similar to how an old southern church lady can say bless her heart and actually mean it, or bless her heart and be judging the shit out of someone.
I've heard (and use) "who the hell does she think she is?", which seems to mean the same thing. "She thinks who the hell she is" is (from a grammar/syntax perspective) ... nonsensical. Can someone explain how it makes any sense and why it's worded like that?
In context, with the right intonation, it's always CRYSTAL clear. It means that the person thinks too highly of him or herself without any substantial basis for that opinion and is acting in a way that demonstrates his or her feelings of superiority.
Ex. Your snobby neighbor shows up at the casual block party in a lame jumpsuit and heels, full makeup. Everyone else brought potluck items to share for all, she clearly has with her like four overpriced bakery cookies. She's already been talking about how she can't stay long.
"Did you see Irene?" [Meaningful look] "Yes, she thinks who the hell SHE is." "Mmmm-hmmm."
I mean, I get what it means but to say it is "crystal clear" is silly. It's a sentence that doesn't actually make sense. At all lol!
I'm starting to get annoyed with all the "but it doesn't even make SENSE!!!" responses.
There are lots of expressions we use that don't make sense when you break them down word for word.
I don't think I've heard "she thinks who she is" but I am familiar with "who the hell does she think she is?" And I imagine these expressions are used similarly.
I've heard (and use) "who the hell does she think she is?", which seems to mean the same thing. "She thinks who the hell she is" is (from a grammar/syntax perspective) ... nonsensical. Can someone explain how it makes any sense and why it's worded like that?
EXACTLY! Yeah, people may get what the meaning is, but it's still just a nonsense sentence.