whatever floats your boat en · X
Pronunciation
- (Australia) audio
Etymology
The earliest evidence hints that the phrase originated in the late 1970s among pleasure boaters in the United States.
Meanings
-
(idiomatic, informal) One should do whatever stimulates one or suits one's inclinations.
You can fill your life with love / You can fill your life with owt / You can fill your lifе with food and drink / Or whatever floats your boat
2025, “The Hymn of the North”, in Jarvis Cocker (lyrics), More, performed by Pulp:You can achieve a non-ordinary or altered state with drugs, drumming, dancing, fasting, meditation, whatever floats your boat—floats it into the beyond, that is.
2025 May 17, James Parker, “Return of the Shaman”, in The Atlantic, →ISSN:
Relateds
have it your way · float someone's boat · it's your funeral · whatever helps you sleep at night · do one's own thing · go one's own way · suit yourself · you do you · have it coming
Synonyms
whatever butters your biscuit · whatever butters your bread · whatever humps your camel · whatever melts your butter · whatever butters your toast · whatever sizzles your bacon · whatever winds your clock · whatever butters your biscuits · whatever tickles your pickle · whatever butters your muffin