What does the English expression 'What are you like?' mean exactly what other similar stock phrases are there?

Question

Is is a positive or negative one? I'm thinking and endearing way to tell someone they are odd, bizarre or ridiculous. Also can you give me other stock phrases such as 'Leave it out' or other such cockney ones.

Answer 1

I'd say positive. You're basically asking someone to call themselves something you don't want to say, like cheeky, silly, forgetful, weird, or whatever, but it's always meant in a friendly way as far as I know.

One other cockney phrase: 'you're having a laugh, aint you?' (= you must be joking)