Comments on: Can You Name Them All?

Can You Name Them All?

sambosambo — Wed, 27 May 2009 04:36:14 -0800

Meme Scenery - Only someone familiar with the original memes would sense something's amiss, like the set of a play waiting for the actors to stumble into history.

By: Captain Cardanthian!

Captain Cardanthian! — Wed, 27 May 2009 04:44:55 -0800

This is really cool. I only got ten of them, so I guess I'm not cool enough for the internet anymore. I tell you what, if you click on the third one for the answer you'll feel really dumb. No joke.

By: sambosambo

sambosambo — Wed, 27 May 2009 05:08:56 -0800

I got 11. It reminds me of the video of the kids passing the basketball around. You get so caught up trying to count the passes that you don't notice the gorilla walking through the scene.

By: From Bklyn

From Bklyn — Wed, 27 May 2009 05:16:02 -0800

Is this something I'd need to be able to crack a really tired, not funny any more joke about, to understand? 'Cause I kind of only got five.

By: Joe Beese

Joe Beese — Wed, 27 May 2009 05:16:19 -0800

That tunnel from the Rick Astley video gave me the same shudder as if it were the gates of Auschwitz.

By: sephira

sephira — Wed, 27 May 2009 05:17:24 -0800

I got 19. When does the shame wear off?

By: Captain Cardanthian!

Captain Cardanthian! — Wed, 27 May 2009 05:18:07 -0800

I just watched the last one for the first time, and... I don't even know. I'm at a complete loss. I need someone to put my world back together. Nothing makes sense anymore.

By: DU

DU — Wed, 27 May 2009 05:20:54 -0800

Am I the only one disturbed by the Kittens Inspired By Kittens one? WTF is that torture chair?

By: autodidact

autodidact — Wed, 27 May 2009 05:21:23 -0800

I only missed kittens and Numa Numa.

By: DoctorFedora

DoctorFedora — Wed, 27 May 2009 05:26:37 -0800

Gonna be that guy who goes "hey folks, 'meme' doesn't mean 'fad,' you know."

By: DU

DU — Wed, 27 May 2009 05:29:02 -0800

Fad is a subset of meme.

By: six-or-six-thirty

six-or-six-thirty — Wed, 27 May 2009 05:33:13 -0800

Wow, I am so much more lame than I even knew.

By: Joe Beese

Joe Beese — Wed, 27 May 2009 05:34:49 -0800

The Dramatic Chipmunk/Prairie Dog must feel like such a has-been at having not been included.

By: From Bklyn

From Bklyn — Wed, 27 May 2009 05:35:22 -0800

Seriously, what _is_ up with that 'torture' chair?

By: sambosambo

sambosambo — Wed, 27 May 2009 05:38:46 -0800

To be honest, I was kind of disappointed they didn't include Bubb Rubb. But I guess they can't all be winners.

By: solipsophistocracy

solipsophistocracy — Wed, 27 May 2009 05:42:14 -0800

Fad is a subset of meme. If anything, it's the other way around. Memes were such a neat idea at the beginning, and it pains me deeply to have seen the concept lose its original meaning. Thanks for nothing, internet.

By: Emperor SnooKloze

Emperor SnooKloze — Wed, 27 May 2009 05:43:37 -0800

I recognized one of these. The rest? Not a frackin' clue even on a "oh I recognize this from a reference to X by way of Y" level. Clearly, I'm not spending my time on the right stuff on that interweb series of tubes thing.

By: Uther Bentrazor

Uther Bentrazor — Wed, 27 May 2009 05:47:10 -0800

I'm sad, for two reasons: 1. I got all of them except for "Kittens" and "Winnebago Man". 2. I've never seen Winnebago Man before, and it made me laugh uncontrollably. I'm tempted to send it on to others, but if it's this much of a meme, then I'm guessing I'm the only one who HASN'T seen it.

By: hypersloth

hypersloth — Wed, 27 May 2009 05:47:19 -0800

This meme, it vibrates?

By: grounded

grounded — Wed, 27 May 2009 05:49:40 -0800

Memes were such a neat idea at the beginning The same could be said of mimes.

By: Thorzdad

Thorzdad — Wed, 27 May 2009 05:52:56 -0800

Your favorite video ≠ a widespread meme

By: Pants!

Pants! — Wed, 27 May 2009 05:54:22 -0800

Memes were such a neat idea at the beginning The same could be said of mimes. And momes.

By: DU

DU — Wed, 27 May 2009 05:55:27 -0800

If anything, it's the other way around. A meme is (or at least was) a unit of mental informational reproduction. According to Wikipedia, Dawkins' original examples included: "melodies, catch-phrases, and beliefs (notably religious belief), clothing/fashion, and the technology of building arches." Fads fall right in line with these, particularly the catch-phrases and fashion. QED

By: solipsophistocracy

solipsophistocracy — Wed, 27 May 2009 05:59:58 -0800

How does "falling in line with" equate to "being a subset of?" Oh, man, you just read the Wikipedia article? I have got to stop reading books.

By: Captain Cardanthian!

Captain Cardanthian! — Wed, 27 May 2009 06:03:34 -0800

Go Team Meme!

By: DU

DU — Wed, 27 May 2009 06:05:37 -0800

I consulted Wikipedia to get the examples because I haven't read the book since about 1999. I realize it's popular among knee-jerk contrarians to hate on the word "meme" but using it as a shorthand for "fad" is pretty much accurate. I defy you to define "fad" in such a way as to exclude it from being a subset of memes.

By: solipsophistocracy

solipsophistocracy — Wed, 27 May 2009 06:08:35 -0800

Memes were originally conceived of as units of cultural replication. While there's no consensus on exactly what constitutes a single meme, I think early meme theorists would have little trouble agreeing that internet fads are more like coadapted meme complexes than individual memes. Fads or trends rely on memes for successful replication, not the other way around.

By: DU

DU — Wed, 27 May 2009 06:13:01 -0800

knowyourcoadaptedmemecomplexes.com doesn't have quite the same ring, besides being a little pedantic. And in any case, I don't see how "check out this funny video" is any less of a meme than the "check out this cool style of dress" that was given as a canonical example at the time of inception.

By: PeterMcDermott

PeterMcDermott — Wed, 27 May 2009 06:13:29 -0800

The same could be said of mimes. And momes. Penes are still good though.

By: solipsophistocracy

solipsophistocracy — Wed, 27 May 2009 06:18:34 -0800

I just don't think it's the "check it out" part that's memetic. It's the intrinsic qualities of the replicating entity that are memes. I guess it hardly matters any more. The word has lost almost all of the interesting parts of its meaning. I still disagree about the meme-fad hierarchy though.

By: pracowity

pracowity — Wed, 27 May 2009 06:22:37 -0800

The word "meme" is used to make talking about dumbass stuff sound like a serious pursuit.

By: Marisa Stole the Precious Thing

Marisa Stole the Precious Thing — Wed, 27 May 2009 06:24:33 -0800

I realize it's popular among knee-jerk contrarians to hate on the word "meme" but using it as a shorthand for "fad" is pretty much accurate. I defy you to define "fad" in such a way as to exclude it from being a subset of memes. The meme vs. fad thing is really chicken and egg territory. The only point that really matters in the whole debate is that "meme" is pronounced "may-may".

By: DU

DU — Wed, 27 May 2009 06:28:10 -0800

I just don't think it's the "check it out" part that's memetic. It's the intrinsic qualities of the replicating entity that are memes. what Also, I need an answer on that torture chair.

By: delmoi

delmoi — Wed, 27 May 2009 06:35:47 -0800

How does "falling in line with" equate to "being a subset of?" Oh, man, you just read the Wikipedia article? I have got to stop reading books. If something has necessary properties to be in a set, i.e. 'falling in line' with those properties, then it is a member of that set. If a group of things all have those properties, then that group is a subset. Seems obvious that these memes are memes, as dawkins intended, but nowadays when people say "meme" they just mean "a meme that got popular on the internet" Also, I need an answer on that torture chair. Isn't it just an uninstalled car seat?

By: Horace Rumpole

Horace Rumpole — Wed, 27 May 2009 06:36:55 -0800

I've never seen Winnebago Man before, and it made me laugh uncontrollably. I'm tempted to send it on to others, but if it's this much of a meme, then I'm guessing I'm the only one who HASN'T seen it. Uther, I just saw a documentary on Winnebago Man* (Jack Rebney) and it was fascinating. Seriously, check it out if you get a chance. *I believe he comes somewhere between Peking Man and Piltdown Man.

By: Joe Beese

Joe Beese — Wed, 27 May 2009 06:38:43 -0800

DU: "I defy you to define "fad" in such a way as to exclude it from being a subset of memes." [room falls silent as bartender crouches for shelter behind bar]

By: DU

DU — Wed, 27 May 2009 06:39:27 -0800

A car seat with leg and chest straps?

By: i_cola

i_cola — Wed, 27 May 2009 06:42:42 -0800

Don't get me started on 'grok'...

By: sambosambo

sambosambo — Wed, 27 May 2009 06:43:28 -0800

The only point that really matters in the whole debate is that "meme" is pronounced "may-may". I had a poly-sci professor who always pronounced it that way. Is that a regional thing?

By: Stonestock Relentless

Stonestock Relentless — Wed, 27 May 2009 06:49:45 -0800

Ahhh, I get it, debating the definition of "meme" on metafilter is the secret 23rd meme.

By: XMLicious

XMLicious — Wed, 27 May 2009 06:51:27 -0800

Ironically, the way that one pronounces "meme" would be a meme.

By: Meatbomb

Meatbomb — Wed, 27 May 2009 06:54:23 -0800

I'm surprised they didn't include this up and coming new meme.

By: SpiffyRob

SpiffyRob — Wed, 27 May 2009 06:54:59 -0800

Sup dawg. Meme. Fad. So you can. I would actually love a highish-res version of the Rick Astley-less tunnel to use as wallpaper.

By: misha

misha — Wed, 27 May 2009 06:55:51 -0800

I only knew six of them once I saw them, and of those, guessed 4 correctly. I fail at the internet. I thought it was just a car seat, too.

By: SpiffyRob

SpiffyRob — Wed, 27 May 2009 06:56:15 -0800

There's no debate on the pronunciation. I though it rhymed with "them", but I was wrong. It rhymes with scream.

By: pracowity

pracowity — Wed, 27 May 2009 06:58:38 -0800

I'll have to ask my Auntie Mame about this.

By: odinsdream

odinsdream — Wed, 27 May 2009 07:02:53 -0800

DU: "I defy you to define "fad" in such a way as to exclude it from being a subset of memes." [room falls silent as bartender crouches for shelter behind bar] [piano cat abruptly stops playing]

By: Dr. Zira

Dr. Zira — Wed, 27 May 2009 07:03:18 -0800

Play Meatbomb off, keyboard cat.

By: signal

signal — Wed, 27 May 2009 07:06:03 -0800

I only got two, so basically I'm winning.

By: TheophileEscargot

TheophileEscargot — Wed, 27 May 2009 07:11:34 -0800

Surely in the meme/gene analogy, the fad is analogous to the phenotype not the genotype. So this is caused by memes, but is not itself a meme. Furthermore it can be decomposed into smaller constituents such as this, and so must be the result of a complex of memes rather than a single meme.

By: nosila

nosila — Wed, 27 May 2009 07:13:04 -0800

Wait, wait. Is the pissing contest to see who got the most, or who got the least? I'm confused as to how to prove my superiority. My head asplode.

By: nosila

nosila — Wed, 27 May 2009 07:16:01 -0800

Shit. I just remembered I was going to try to stop being sarcastic thanks to AskMe. Sigh. Lasted about twelve hours, for most of which I was asleep, and zero comments.

By: stavrogin

stavrogin — Wed, 27 May 2009 07:20:06 -0800

[sambosambo pulls out a mean switchmeme] DU: solipsophistocracy, give him your lulz! solipsophistocracy: What for? DU: He's got a meme! solipsophistocracy: [chuckling] That's not a meme. [solipsophistocracy pulls out a postulated discrete unit of cultural knowledge] solipsophistocracy: *That's* a meme. [solipsophistocracy examines sambosambo's cultural evolution with the meme. sambosambo and his gang run away.] solipsophistocracy: Just kids having fun. You alright? DU: I'm always alright when I'm with you, solipsophistocracy.

By: Devils Rancher

Devils Rancher — Wed, 27 May 2009 07:21:20 -0800

Pretty much everywhere, it's gona be hot.

By: not that girl

not that girl — Wed, 27 May 2009 07:23:44 -0800

Seriously, what _is_ up with that 'torture' chair? Based on other things visible in that picture, and the equipment in the living room of a friend whose young daughter has cerebral palsy, I'm going to say "adaptive seating for disabled child."

By: not that girl

not that girl — Wed, 27 May 2009 07:24:33 -0800

You can see the tray that attaches to it propped on the floor to the left of the chair.

By: Marisa Stole the Precious Thing

Marisa Stole the Precious Thing — Wed, 27 May 2009 07:27:05 -0800

I got all but 3 - Kittens inspired by kittens, Winnebago Man, and then what was simultaneously the most hilarious and disturbing thing I've seen all week, the ottoman-humping teens. My laughter was broken only by the occasional "oh god there's another one? How many kids are going to hump that poor ottoman?"

By: Ceiling Cat

Ceiling Cat — Wed, 27 May 2009 07:53:19 -0800

I got one.

By: diogenes

diogenes — Wed, 27 May 2009 07:53:34 -0800

Usually when I see videos of kids doing dumb things, I can identify with them. Using a stick to demonstrate my wicked martial arts skills? Yup, done that. Singing very seriously with an awful fake voice? Done that. Humping-ottomans with my friends? Never done that.

By: Rock Steady

Rock Steady — Wed, 27 May 2009 07:54:15 -0800

Previously in ottoman humping...

By: Rock Steady

Rock Steady — Wed, 27 May 2009 07:56:01 -0800

Also, it's interesting (to me, at least) that my lizard hindbrain got several of these before my conscious mind did. The Star Wars Kid one, for example. I instantly thought "Star Wars Kid" but then my rational brain was like, "No, that was in a garage or something, that set is far too professional for that video."

By: Rock Steady

Rock Steady — Wed, 27 May 2009 07:56:51 -0800

Also also, never saw "Kittens inspired by kittens" before. Fantastic. I want beef jerky!

By: Greg Nog

Greg Nog — Wed, 27 May 2009 08:03:19 -0800

Also also, never saw "Kittens inspired by kittens" before. Neither had I! For one brief, glorious moment, as I listened to that girl caption those photos perfectly, I was aware that someone else in this world thinks exactly like I do, and my heart shone with the light of a thousand yellow suns.

By: crayz

crayz — Wed, 27 May 2009 08:05:15 -0800

I'd agree with solipsophistocracy, not every random video on youtube is a meme. Something like "video of person screwing up" is a meme, FAIL and and lolcats and rickrolling and the style of captioning pictures like office motivational posters are memes - they're fairly generic ideas that replicate and propagate between people, experience mutations, evolve, etc. In a sense, yes, almost anything can be seen as a meme, in the same way I could describe a mop as "funny" or a bunny rabbit as "dangerous". They can be looked at in that way and couldn't be said to be entirely lacking in that property, but nor is it the best encompassing single-word description of said object For all the wikipedia fans:

A meme ... is a postulated unit or element of cultural ideas, symbols or practices that gets transmitted from one mind to another through speech, gestures, rituals, or other imitable phenomena. ... they act as cultural analogues to genes, in that they self-replicate and respond to selective pressures

Maybe the most precise thing to say would be - most of these aren't very successful memes

By: CynicalKnight

CynicalKnight — Wed, 27 May 2009 08:08:15 -0800

How many kids are going to hump that poor ottoman? With the defeat against the Russians in the mid-nineteenth century and fighting on many fronts, it had to capitulate against Britain and allow an influx of zero-tariff goods along with an increased European military presence on its lands resulting in a weakened position in international relations.

By: Captain Cardanthian!

Captain Cardanthian! — Wed, 27 May 2009 08:08:49 -0800

I got one. posted by Ceiling Cat at 10:53 AM on May 27 [+] [!] Let me guess: Winnebago man?

By: Rock Steady

Rock Steady — Wed, 27 May 2009 08:13:48 -0800

The definition of "meme": A "begging the question" for the 21st century.

By: saralk

saralk — Wed, 27 May 2009 08:14:01 -0800

The pictures themselves look really eerie, like what would happen if one day we all gave up on the internet. A bit like Chernobyl.

By: Ndwright

Ndwright — Wed, 27 May 2009 08:20:13 -0800

By: DU

DU — Wed, 27 May 2009 08:37:09 -0800

I'd agree with solipsophistocracy, not every random video on youtube is a meme. So you do both things? Because that's not the position solwhatever was advocating, nor is it the negation of the position I was advocating.

By: odinsdream

odinsdream — Wed, 27 May 2009 08:38:28 -0800

The pictures themselves look really eerie, like what would happen if one day we all gave up on the internet. What is the sound of one internet clapping?

By: katillathehun

katillathehun — Wed, 27 May 2009 08:46:50 -0800

I got 16. I'm not sure if I should proud or ashamed.

By: SpiffyRob

SpiffyRob — Wed, 27 May 2009 08:47:23 -0800

But... is Milhouse a meme?

By: empath

empath — Wed, 27 May 2009 09:08:37 -0800

Rapture of the memes.

By: darksasami

darksasami — Wed, 27 May 2009 09:32:53 -0800

Captain Cardanthian, here's the standard remedy for that video.

By: waxpancake

waxpancake — Wed, 27 May 2009 09:43:09 -0800

Thanks for the link, everyone. It was a lot of fun making these images, glad you guys like them! Regarding the use of the word "meme," I thought it was well established that the definition of "Internet meme" is no longer strictly tied to the original "meme" concept defined by Dawkins. Like it or not, it's become a cultural shorthand for any image, audio, or video that spreads explosively through word-of-mouth online and evolves into multiple variations. @Joe Beese: I just added dramatic prairie dog, submitted by email to me late last night. He was giving me a nasty look, so I had to add him in. @Marisa Stole the Precious Thing: Dawkins himself pronounces "meme" rhyming with scream. Here's a video where you can hear him.

By: solipsophistocracy

solipsophistocracy — Wed, 27 May 2009 09:54:44 -0800

I thought it was well established that the definition of "Internet meme" is no longer strictly tied to the original "meme" concept defined by Dawkins. Like it or not, it's become a cultural shorthand for any image, audio, or video that spreads explosively through word-of-mouth online and evolves into multiple variations. Yeah, I think you're probably right. I'm just bummed about it. Sorry for getting all deraily.

By: barrett caulk

barrett caulk — Wed, 27 May 2009 09:57:26 -0800

Ceiling cat is watching your intellectual masturbation.

By: Marisa Stole the Precious Thing

Marisa Stole the Precious Thing — Wed, 27 May 2009 10:02:30 -0800

@Marisa Stole the Precious Thing: Dawkins himself pronounces "meme" rhyming with scream. Here's a video where you can hear him. I first read this as "Dawkins pronounces 'meme' with a scream. Here's a video where you can hear him." I was confused at first when I clicked on the link and didn't see Dawkins yelling "MAAAAAAAY-MAAAAAAAAAAAAAY!"

By: filthy light thief

filthy light thief — Wed, 27 May 2009 10:09:33 -0800

The pictures themselves look really eerie, like what would happen if one day we all gave up on the internet. A bit like Chernobyl. Chernobyl is growing, just without people. Kind of like Bear City.

By: emelenjr

emelenjr — Wed, 27 May 2009 10:30:33 -0800

I hadn't seen the German kid before. I thought that was hilarious, until I learned it was fake.

By: Rhaomi

Rhaomi — Wed, 27 May 2009 10:39:13 -0800

Interesting! But it doesn't really work for our memes. (Except maybe this one.)

By: waxpancake

waxpancake — Wed, 27 May 2009 12:04:38 -0800

@Rhaomi: Heh, I made that one too.

By: Keter

Keter — Wed, 27 May 2009 12:08:47 -0800

... Getting the vast majority of those correct made me feel as though I was on the autistic spectrum. I spend so much time on the internet that I can identify memes/video fads by background?! Can I self-diagnose myself with Asperger's, now? :(

By: P.o.B.

P.o.B. — Wed, 27 May 2009 14:12:47 -0800

Pretty Ricky - Late Night Special HOLEEE SHIT! How come I have not seen this before? Pure. Awesome. P.S. How can I join the group?

By: P.o.B.

P.o.B. — Wed, 27 May 2009 15:06:41 -0800

By the way I got 18. I could've fudged and said I got 19 on the one where the cat goes crazy and claws the animal control guy but that was an assumption and the rest were spot on recognizable backgrounds. I'm also assuming this is like golf where the lower the score the better, because otherwise... *starts shutdown on computer*

By: wendell

wendell — Wed, 27 May 2009 16:00:52 -0800

I am SO downloading those pictures to use as backgrounds for my future graphic parodies. Thank you sambosambo for saving me a lot of Photoshop (or in my case, PhotoSlop) work.

By: The Deej

The Deej — Wed, 27 May 2009 16:20:13 -0800

I got exactly enough to come across as informed and with it, but not enough to seem pathetic or nerdy.

By: tzikeh

tzikeh — Wed, 27 May 2009 20:32:28 -0800

Marisa Stole the Precious Thing: The only point that really matters in the whole debate is that "meme" is pronounced "may-may". sambo sambo: I had a poly-sci professor who always pronounced it that way. Is that a regional thing? Meme: MEEEEEEM. M-W audio of pronunciation here: http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/meme

By: XMLicious

XMLicious — Wed, 27 May 2009 21:46:41 -0800

Oh, c'mon, of course it's pronouced "may-may". Just like "gene" is pronounced "gay-nay".

By: pracowity

pracowity — Wed, 27 May 2009 22:25:26 -0800

This debate is lamé. Gold lamé.

By: Marisa Stole the Precious Thing

Marisa Stole the Precious Thing — Thu, 28 May 2009 03:58:11 -0800

Dictionary, schmictionary. It's may-may.

By: SpiffyRob

SpiffyRob — Thu, 28 May 2009 04:55:22 -0800

M-E-M-E Is that how you spell may-may in your dictionary?

By: Marisa Stole the Precious Thing

Marisa Stole the Precious Thing — Thu, 28 May 2009 05:20:41 -0800

If you mean "Is meme pronounced may-may?" then yes.

By: SpiffyRob

SpiffyRob — Thu, 28 May 2009 06:53:02 -0800

Is a XTC song.

By: Marisa Stole the Precious Thing

Marisa Stole the Precious Thing — Thu, 28 May 2009 10:35:06 -0800

Well, anyway I don't see how I can be blamed if Dawkins mispronounces a word he invented.

By: SpiffyRob

SpiffyRob — Thu, 28 May 2009 11:13:54 -0800

Agreed. Even after learning and confirming that it *is* pronounced "meem", I'm actually pretty sure it *is*, in fact, pronounced "may-may."

By: Marisa Stole the Precious Thing

Marisa Stole the Precious Thing — Thu, 28 May 2009 11:36:29 -0800

You see, people? SpiffyRob gets it. I recommend you do as I, and not only pronounce it "may-may", but write to Dawkins personally and politely correct his pronunciation.

By: SpiffyRob

SpiffyRob — Thu, 28 May 2009 11:46:37 -0800

Using me as litmus test for whether or not something can be accepted by the populace (got it right this time!) is probably unwise. Though if you do write Dawkins to correct him, I strongly suggest you tell him you're doing so because $deity told you to.

By: Elmore

Elmore — Thu, 28 May 2009 12:01:04 -0800

*Uploading my "I'll be your May-May tonight/Green Eggs and Ham" mashup to youtube as I type*

By: Marisa Stole the Precious Thing

Marisa Stole the Precious Thing — Thu, 28 May 2009 12:02:42 -0800

Though if you do write Dawkins to correct him, I strongly suggest you tell him you're doing so because $deity told you to. Here's a copy of what I wrote:

Dear Richard Dawkins

Big fan here. This is just to let you know you're pronouncing "meme" incorrectly. Maybe others have just been too polite to point this out to you, out of deference to your education and the fact that you invented the word, but as you've always advocated the truth above all us, I think it would be a disservice to the truth - and to you - to let it slide. 

It's pronounced "may-may". Please make a note of it, and keep up the good work.

Yours in Christ,

M.

Feel free to use this template in writing your own e-mail to Dawkins.

By: Marisa Stole the Precious Thing

Marisa Stole the Precious Thing — Thu, 28 May 2009 12:05:03 -0800

Only if you do use my template, be sure and say "... the truth above all else ..." instead.

By: Elmore

Elmore — Thu, 28 May 2009 12:10:53 -0800

Dear Richard Dawkins LOL Wut? its May-may you fag. Yours in Christ, /b/

By: SpiffyRob

SpiffyRob — Thu, 28 May 2009 12:35:11 -0800

That's a hell of a typo to make! If anything is going to really set him off, it would be telling him that he's "always advocated the truth above all us."

By: empath

empath — Thu, 28 May 2009 16:04:45 -0800

What possible justification could one have for pronouncing it may-may?

By: SpiffyRob

SpiffyRob — Thu, 28 May 2009 17:44:13 -0800

The truth.

By: Marisa Stole the Precious Thing

Marisa Stole the Precious Thing — Thu, 28 May 2009 17:51:53 -0800

What possible justification could one have for pronouncing it may-may? I've always been a stickler for correct pronunciation. A minor point in this case, but still. He can keep pronouncing it "meem" if he wants and all. It's a free country. But it doesn't change the fact that it's pronounced "may-may".

By: Captain Cardanthian!

Captain Cardanthian! — Thu, 28 May 2009 18:42:04 -0800

Marisa Stole the Precious Thing: "What possible justification could one have for pronouncing it may-may? I've always been a stickler for correct pronunciation. A minor point in this case, but still. He can keep pronouncing it "meem" if he wants and all. It's a free country. But it doesn't change the fact that it's pronounced "may-may"." But why? I've never heard of anyone pronouncing it "may-may." Why would it be so?

By: misha

misha — Thu, 28 May 2009 18:44:00 -0800

Every dictionary I can find says it is pronounced either MAYM or MEEM. Now, I know mores, in sociology, are pronounced MORAYS, but that's hardly analagous.

By: SpiffyRob

SpiffyRob — Thu, 28 May 2009 19:34:46 -0800

Folks: MStPT and I are f'ing about. It's pronounced meem. I promise. But really. REALLY, it's pronounced may-may.

By: Marisa Stole the Precious Thing

Marisa Stole the Precious Thing — Fri, 29 May 2009 04:49:51 -0800

Look, it's really simple. The guy who invented the word is wrong. The dictionaries are wrong. It's pronounced "may-may". I don't understand why this is so hard to fathom. I mean, doesn't it sound better than "meem"? Say "meem" a few times. Meem. Meem meem meem. That's dumb. "May-may" though, that has class. Pinache (pronounced "pee-NATCH-ee"), if you will.

By: P.o.B.

P.o.B. — Fri, 29 May 2009 05:02:12 -0800

Holy crap, it's pronounced pee-NATCH-eee?

By: SpiffyRob

SpiffyRob — Fri, 29 May 2009 07:07:43 -0800

Sorry to quibble, but it's actually spelled "panache" and is pronounced PAN-ACHE. Moreover, élan is pronounced EYE-LANE. The accent égout is there to fool people who think they know better, but don't.

By: Marisa Stole the Precious Thing

Marisa Stole the Precious Thing — Fri, 29 May 2009 07:08:23 -0800

Ah, I think you mean "spelt".

By: Rock Steady

Rock Steady — Fri, 29 May 2009 07:09:23 -0800

This thread is giving me a major panache.

By: SpiffyRob

SpiffyRob — Fri, 29 May 2009 09:12:03 -0800

Speltedafiedarized. Watching the kittens inspired by kittens followup, wherein she explains World War 2, makes me wonder: Has any may-may video ever had a successful followup? Weezer's Pork and Beans video sort of counts, I guess.

By: Pronoiac

Pronoiac — Fri, 29 May 2009 14:32:21 -0800

SpiffyRob: I would actually love a highish-res version of the Rick Astley-less tunnel to use as wallpaper. I painted this just for you.

By: P.o.B.

P.o.B. — Fri, 29 May 2009 14:56:58 -0800

Holy crap, Proniac painted that?

By: The Deej

The Deej — Fri, 29 May 2009 14:59:03 -0800

My Pontiac is painted red, is that what you're talking about?

By: SpiffyRob

SpiffyRob — Fri, 29 May 2009 19:50:20 -0800

And now life is amazing. Proniac, you're the coolest.

By: Uther Bentrazor

Uther Bentrazor — Sun, 31 May 2009 17:15:56 -0800

Successful Troll is Successful.