Usually preceded by some form of the verb "to have", it is an English idiom meaning "not to know."

To say "I have no idea" simply means "I don't know." However, it is slightly more emphatic than "I don't know", i.e., more like "I really don't know." A similar, equally idiomatic expression is "I don't have a clue."

Often used in the second person followed by an exclamation point: "You don't have an idea!" In this case it typically implies there is more to something than appears immediately obvious. A similar expression is "You don't know half of it!"

When used in the past tense, it is often a form of apology. For example, if one says something that offends a person or a group of persons (which is very easy to do for us who are not native English speakers and do not know all the subtle idioms of the English tongue), and eventually realizes it was offensive, one might apologize by saying: "I had no idea." In that case, one is often expected to blush.

No Idea is also an amazing record label/distro out of Gainesville, Florida. They specialize in punk, hardcore and emo releases from mostly local bands. They also distribute releases by other labels, sell t-shirts/stickers/pins, distribute 'zines, and for a while they put out their own 'zine, also called No Idea. The zine may still be going on, but I haven't seen a new issue in a while.

I'd like to take a more personal moment to vouch for the greatness of No Idea's distro service. Prices are ridiculously low, and I tend to receive orders from them about one week after I drop the order in the mailbox.

Some of the more well known bands on No Idea have been:

• Against Me
• Hot Water Music
• Twelve Hour Turn
• Strikeforce Diablo
• Coalesce
• I Hate Myself
• Palatka

They're quite a fan-friendly label. Prices are kept low, and when they can they fill orders with cool things like colored vinyl or other limited editions.

Mailing address:

No Idea
PO Box 14636
Gainesville, FL 32604