Meh
November 17, 2008 2:32 PM Subscribe
This is relevant to my interests.
posted by Potomac Avenue at 2:36 PM on November 17, 2008
posted by Potomac Avenue at 2:36 PM on November 17, 2008
The origins of "meh" are murky, but the term grew in popularity after being used in a 2001 episode of "The Simpsons" in which Homer suggests a day trip to his children Bart and Lisa.
Liars! Would it kill you to pick up the phone and give me a call?
I didn't spend all those countless hours in the library for nuttin.
I was napping.
posted by robocop is bleeding at 2:41 PM on November 17, 2008 [1 favorite]
Liars! Would it kill you to pick up the phone and give me a call?
I didn't spend all those countless hours in the library for nuttin.
I was napping.
posted by robocop is bleeding at 2:41 PM on November 17, 2008 [1 favorite]
Huh, I figured it's always been a word. Like biblical even.
Jesus: Peter, before the cock crows thrice you will betray me.
Peter: Meh.
And Old Testament:
God: I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery. *Gives 10 Commandments*
People: Meh.
At least that's how I remember it.
posted by cjorgensen at 2:45 PM on November 17, 2008 [8 favorites]
Jesus: Peter, before the cock crows thrice you will betray me.
Peter: Meh.
And Old Testament:
God: I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery. *Gives 10 Commandments*
People: Meh.
At least that's how I remember it.
posted by cjorgensen at 2:45 PM on November 17, 2008 [8 favorites]
I wish there was a word that encapsulated my ambivalence about this development.
posted by mullingitover at 2:48 PM on November 17, 2008 [4 favorites]
posted by mullingitover at 2:48 PM on November 17, 2008 [4 favorites]
The origins of "meh" are murky, but the term grew in popularity after being used in a 2001 episode of "The Simpsons" in which Homer suggests a day trip to his children Bart and Lisa.
Au contraire! I used to play D&D with a guy who had a pair of warhounds, named Miff and Meh.
posted by butterstick at 2:55 PM on November 17, 2008
Au contraire! I used to play D&D with a guy who had a pair of warhounds, named Miff and Meh.
posted by butterstick at 2:55 PM on November 17, 2008
Collins' publicity department must be very pleased about the regularity with which we post about their press releases.
posted by Horace Rumpole at 2:59 PM on November 17, 2008
posted by Horace Rumpole at 2:59 PM on November 17, 2008
I am ok with that word being included in the dictionary but only if the definition mentions that it is used by mehtards.
posted by srboisvert at 3:10 PM on November 17, 2008 [1 favorite]
posted by srboisvert at 3:10 PM on November 17, 2008 [1 favorite]
I had a friend in High School who used the term. He was a slacker, so that was his reply to many things. He was also an avid Simpsons fan, and I know it came up before 2001. The Guardian and Wiktionary.org cite Lisa's Wedding as the (popular) birth of the term.
posted by filthy light thief at 3:17 PM on November 17, 2008
posted by filthy light thief at 3:17 PM on November 17, 2008
Meh.
posted by Astro Zombie at 3:17 PM on November 17, 2008
posted by Astro Zombie at 3:17 PM on November 17, 2008
Oh, and it first aired on March 19, 1995.
posted by filthy light thief at 3:18 PM on November 17, 2008
posted by filthy light thief at 3:18 PM on November 17, 2008
*makes expression of indifference or boredom*
-
posted by Ron Thanagar at 3:18 PM on November 17, 2008
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posted by Ron Thanagar at 3:18 PM on November 17, 2008
huggles, a hybrid of hugs and snuggles
Anyone who uses that word, that h word, whether in jest, ironically or overcome by genuine mild affection, wants hanging.
I'm even tempted to go so far as to suggest that anyone who uses the s word above might, while not exactly desperate to be hanged, hold their hand up at the gallows and say yes, on reflection, this is for the best. I had a few minor things I was hoping to accomplish over the coming years, and I suppose I do regret not living to see my children grow up, but you're right, it is an abominable word, so let's get on with it shall we.
I feel filthy even just having cut and paste them from the article.
posted by Beautiful Screaming Lady at 3:37 PM on November 17, 2008 [5 favorites]
Anyone who uses that word, that h word, whether in jest, ironically or overcome by genuine mild affection, wants hanging.
I'm even tempted to go so far as to suggest that anyone who uses the s word above might, while not exactly desperate to be hanged, hold their hand up at the gallows and say yes, on reflection, this is for the best. I had a few minor things I was hoping to accomplish over the coming years, and I suppose I do regret not living to see my children grow up, but you're right, it is an abominable word, so let's get on with it shall we.
I feel filthy even just having cut and paste them from the article.
posted by Beautiful Screaming Lady at 3:37 PM on November 17, 2008 [5 favorites]
My ambivalence to this knows no bounds.
posted by never used baby shoes at 3:37 PM on November 17, 2008
posted by never used baby shoes at 3:37 PM on November 17, 2008
Someone didn't research an article properly.
Whatev.
That word annoys me more than most - it's not just dismissive, it's more defeated than most simple replies. I'll try to replace it with the dismissive, yet cheeky "Whateva," because it will then make me think of Treva Whateva, and I will smile.
posted by filthy light thief at 3:39 PM on November 17, 2008
Whatev.
That word annoys me more than most - it's not just dismissive, it's more defeated than most simple replies. I'll try to replace it with the dismissive, yet cheeky "Whateva," because it will then make me think of Treva Whateva, and I will smile.
posted by filthy light thief at 3:39 PM on November 17, 2008
It's the mehpocalypse.
posted by quin at 3:41 PM on November 17, 2008 [1 favorite]
posted by quin at 3:41 PM on November 17, 2008 [1 favorite]
Apparently it was used 3687 times in MetaFilter comments.
Meh.
Make that 3688.
posted by jpburns at 3:51 PM on November 17, 2008
Meh.
Make that 3688.
posted by jpburns at 3:51 PM on November 17, 2008
Well, this insular American discovered something new: there is something called the Collins Dictionary of the English language. I suppose lifts, lorries, boots, biscuits and chips abound, as well as humour and cheque. Will have to look for it in my American library.
posted by kozad at 3:53 PM on November 17, 2008
posted by kozad at 3:53 PM on November 17, 2008
I AM SAYING MEH TO THIS POST IN AN IRONIC WAY GEDDIT
posted by DU at 3:54 PM on November 17, 2008 [1 favorite]
posted by DU at 3:54 PM on November 17, 2008 [1 favorite]
I AM SAYING MEH TO THIS POST IN AN IRONIC WAY GEDDIT
Meh.
posted by sixswitch at 4:00 PM on November 17, 2008 [3 favorites]
Meh.
posted by sixswitch at 4:00 PM on November 17, 2008 [3 favorites]
Meh Tah Filter
posted by Eekacat at 4:05 PM on November 17, 2008 [2 favorites]
posted by Eekacat at 4:05 PM on November 17, 2008 [2 favorites]
I say Feh! to your Meh!
What? I got bupkis here boychick. Work wid me.
posted by lalochezia at 4:08 PM on November 17, 2008
What? I got bupkis here boychick. Work wid me.
posted by lalochezia at 4:08 PM on November 17, 2008
Apparently it was used 3687 times in MetaFilter comments.
I don't know where you're getting your stats, but they're outdated.
posted by gman at 4:08 PM on November 17, 2008
I don't know where you're getting your stats, but they're outdated.
posted by gman at 4:08 PM on November 17, 2008
I'm disappointed that empath already embiggened our website with the necessary cromulent joke.
posted by Gary at 4:21 PM on November 17, 2008
posted by Gary at 4:21 PM on November 17, 2008
Guh.
posted by sambosambo at 4:29 PM on November 17, 2008 [2 favorites]
posted by sambosambo at 4:29 PM on November 17, 2008 [2 favorites]
Spluh
posted by DU at 4:50 PM on November 17, 2008 [1 favorite]
posted by DU at 4:50 PM on November 17, 2008 [1 favorite]
*Considers writing a multi-paragraph long comment about how an old girlfriend used to use the word "Meh" to express general teenage angst and pretend to eschew traditional norms while really essentially aspiring to be a part of the very system she pretended to be indifferent towards.*
*Realizes most MeFites will respond with ironic indifference rather than faves*
*Decides against it*
posted by l33tpolicywonk at 4:55 PM on November 17, 2008 [2 favorites]
*Realizes most MeFites will respond with ironic indifference rather than faves*
*Decides against it*
posted by l33tpolicywonk at 4:55 PM on November 17, 2008 [2 favorites]
Ironically, that episode predicted that "Smell ya later" would be the catch phrase that would we would all be using. I gues we still have a couple years.
posted by 445supermag at 5:08 PM on November 17, 2008
posted by 445supermag at 5:08 PM on November 17, 2008
Meh: nakh!
(it’d be funnier if one could flourish ‘meh’ like, say D’artangan)
Aha! meh. So there!
(see ‘cause nakh is yiddish for ‘there!’ I just don’t know how to spell it. Ok, so maybe one guy (other than lalochezia)...who just got out of a steam room... in the Catskills...in the 50’s... got it.)
*considers ironically fav’ing l33tpolicywonk comment on ironic indifference to further iterate self-referential meme*
*Decides against it, goes for Jewish themed linguistic alliterative riff instead*
*Fails*
*meh*
“Anyone who uses that word (huggles) whether in jest, ironically or overcome by genuine mild affection, wants hanging.”
So...blowggles, out of line? Tounggles?
posted by Smedleyman at 5:23 PM on November 17, 2008
(it’d be funnier if one could flourish ‘meh’ like, say D’artangan)
Aha! meh. So there!
(see ‘cause nakh is yiddish for ‘there!’ I just don’t know how to spell it. Ok, so maybe one guy (other than lalochezia)...who just got out of a steam room... in the Catskills...in the 50’s... got it.)
*considers ironically fav’ing l33tpolicywonk comment on ironic indifference to further iterate self-referential meme*
*Decides against it, goes for Jewish themed linguistic alliterative riff instead*
*Fails*
*meh*
“Anyone who uses that word (huggles) whether in jest, ironically or overcome by genuine mild affection, wants hanging.”
So...blowggles, out of line? Tounggles?
posted by Smedleyman at 5:23 PM on November 17, 2008
So...blowggles, out of line? Tounggles?
I'm willing to accept hugjob.
posted by Beautiful Screaming Lady at 5:30 PM on November 17, 2008 [2 favorites]
I'm willing to accept hugjob.
posted by Beautiful Screaming Lady at 5:30 PM on November 17, 2008 [2 favorites]
Snuh?
posted by evilcolonel at 5:35 PM on November 17, 2008 [1 favorite]
posted by evilcolonel at 5:35 PM on November 17, 2008 [1 favorite]
Collins' publicity department must be very pleased about the regularity with which we post about their press releases.
I'd have to agree. If the OED adds a word, I consider it legitimate news. Anyone else, it's most likely a publicity stunt.
As a child I had a concept that there was an entity called "the dictionary". By the time I was in college, I was proud that our family owned a copy of Webster's Second International, as I realized there were numerous dictionaries out there. Today I own a copy of Webster's Third, but rarely use it, as I'm almost always able to find a definition on the 'net.
I'm no etymologist, but I'm betting that everyone except the OED is threatened by the Internet, much like Encyclopedia Britannica. I suspect minor dictionaries adding words like "meh" is a sign of the END TIMES, as they will eventually go the way of slide rules, 8 tracks, Polaroid instant film, and AOL floppy disks...
posted by Tube at 5:40 PM on November 17, 2008
I'd have to agree. If the OED adds a word, I consider it legitimate news. Anyone else, it's most likely a publicity stunt.
As a child I had a concept that there was an entity called "the dictionary". By the time I was in college, I was proud that our family owned a copy of Webster's Second International, as I realized there were numerous dictionaries out there. Today I own a copy of Webster's Third, but rarely use it, as I'm almost always able to find a definition on the 'net.
I'm no etymologist, but I'm betting that everyone except the OED is threatened by the Internet, much like Encyclopedia Britannica. I suspect minor dictionaries adding words like "meh" is a sign of the END TIMES, as they will eventually go the way of slide rules, 8 tracks, Polaroid instant film, and AOL floppy disks...
posted by Tube at 5:40 PM on November 17, 2008
The dictionary defines "meh" as an expression of indifference or boredom, or an adjective meaning mediocre or boring. Examples given by the dictionary include "the Canadian election was so meh."
Who says "so meh"? Meh should stand alone in its own sentence.
then again... meh.
posted by weezy at 6:04 PM on November 17, 2008
Who says "so meh"? Meh should stand alone in its own sentence.
then again... meh.
posted by weezy at 6:04 PM on November 17, 2008
The origins of "meh" are murky, but the term grew in popularity after being used in a 2001 episode of "The Simpsons" in which Homer suggests a day trip to his children Bart and Lisa.
Hmmmm. I thought that the episode of The Simpsons that popularised the word meh was 'Homer's Triple Bypass'.
Bart: Nothing you say can upset us. We're the MTV generation.
Lisa: We feel neither highs or lows.
Homer: Really? What's it like?
Lisa: Meh
Even if it wasn't, I guess it was certainly the first time I'd ever heard it, anyway.
posted by Effigy2000 at 6:05 PM on November 17, 2008
Hmmmm. I thought that the episode of The Simpsons that popularised the word meh was 'Homer's Triple Bypass'.
Bart: Nothing you say can upset us. We're the MTV generation.
Lisa: We feel neither highs or lows.
Homer: Really? What's it like?
Lisa: Meh
Even if it wasn't, I guess it was certainly the first time I'd ever heard it, anyway.
posted by Effigy2000 at 6:05 PM on November 17, 2008
At least it replaced "whatever"...
posted by Ron Thanagar at 6:05 PM on November 17, 2008
posted by Ron Thanagar at 6:05 PM on November 17, 2008
Meep-meep!
posted by ZenMasterThis at 6:09 PM on November 17, 2008
posted by ZenMasterThis at 6:09 PM on November 17, 2008
meh is old school, all the kids today are using nargh.
posted by blue_beetle at 6:09 PM on November 17, 2008
posted by blue_beetle at 6:09 PM on November 17, 2008
Anyone who uses that word, that h word, whether in jest, ironically or overcome by genuine mild affection, wants hanging.
I'm even tempted to go so far as to suggest that anyone who uses the s word above might, while not exactly desperate to be hanged, hold their hand up at the gallows and say yes, on reflection, this is for the best. I had a few minor things I was hoping to accomplish over the coming years, and I suppose I do regret not living to see my children grow up, but you're right, it is an abominable word, so let's get on with it shall we.
I feel filthy even just having cut and paste them from the article
Looks like someone needs a huggle! Come here you!
posted by bitteroldman at 6:21 PM on November 17, 2008 [2 favorites]
I'm even tempted to go so far as to suggest that anyone who uses the s word above might, while not exactly desperate to be hanged, hold their hand up at the gallows and say yes, on reflection, this is for the best. I had a few minor things I was hoping to accomplish over the coming years, and I suppose I do regret not living to see my children grow up, but you're right, it is an abominable word, so let's get on with it shall we.
I feel filthy even just having cut and paste them from the article
Looks like someone needs a huggle! Come here you!
posted by bitteroldman at 6:21 PM on November 17, 2008 [2 favorites]
Meh is hella good.
posted by ZenMasterThis at 6:51 PM on November 17, 2008
posted by ZenMasterThis at 6:51 PM on November 17, 2008
"Examples given by the dictionary include 'the Canadian election was so meh.'"
So this means when you look up "meh" in the dictionary you'll literally find the Canadian election. Brilliant!
posted by Brodiggitty at 6:58 PM on November 17, 2008 [1 favorite]
So this means when you look up "meh" in the dictionary you'll literally find the Canadian election. Brilliant!
posted by Brodiggitty at 6:58 PM on November 17, 2008 [1 favorite]
Oh, and [the Simpsons episode "Lisa's Wedding"] first aired on March 19, 1995.
In the 2005 AskMe about the origins of "meh" dhartung linked a usage from 1992 in the gay Usenet group soc.motss (scroll down a bit; it's there).
I cut my internet teeth on soc.motss, so it seems worth pointing out the earlier queer culture usage. Simpsons, my ass.
posted by mediareport at 7:22 PM on November 17, 2008
In the 2005 AskMe about the origins of "meh" dhartung linked a usage from 1992 in the gay Usenet group soc.motss (scroll down a bit; it's there).
I cut my internet teeth on soc.motss, so it seems worth pointing out the earlier queer culture usage. Simpsons, my ass.
posted by mediareport at 7:22 PM on November 17, 2008
Everyone knows what "meh" means. If I said "I huggled with my jargonaut fenemy " people wouldn't think I was speaking english.
posted by Citizen Premier at 10:51 PM on November 17, 2008
posted by Citizen Premier at 10:51 PM on November 17, 2008
What would a huggle be, anyway? Aren't hugs and snuggles terms that distinguish two different actions involving 2+ people having their arms around each other? I'm a big fan of both, but can't picture a blend of the two. (The dictionary in question should have pictures.)
posted by thoughtless at 3:46 AM on November 18, 2008
posted by thoughtless at 3:46 AM on November 18, 2008
disclaimer: years back I used to work on the Collins English Dictionary; I've also done work on dictionaries for Oxford. However, I haven't done any work on either for years.
Most people tend to buy a dictionary and use it for years. Clearly, the publishers would like to encourage more frequent purchasing. During the 1990s there was a little 'new word' war being waged in the press releases for updated editions. There is almost no press coverage for a dictionary release without this kind of story as dictionaries tend to be dull news. Generally this means that the publishers push out the most contentious or amusing new words in the press releases, which is almost a disservice to how the new word monitoring actually works. Collins monitors a vast amount of media to track new word usage, it's actually quite a fascinating area, but that invariably fails to be covered by the press who tend to focus on one or two words from the list.
posted by mandal at 6:13 AM on November 18, 2008
Most people tend to buy a dictionary and use it for years. Clearly, the publishers would like to encourage more frequent purchasing. During the 1990s there was a little 'new word' war being waged in the press releases for updated editions. There is almost no press coverage for a dictionary release without this kind of story as dictionaries tend to be dull news. Generally this means that the publishers push out the most contentious or amusing new words in the press releases, which is almost a disservice to how the new word monitoring actually works. Collins monitors a vast amount of media to track new word usage, it's actually quite a fascinating area, but that invariably fails to be covered by the press who tend to focus on one or two words from the list.
posted by mandal at 6:13 AM on November 18, 2008
Examples given by the dictionary include "the Canadian election was so meh."
As a Canadian, I am insulted by the implicatio....HOLY CRAP! An American newspaper mentioned CANADA!!!
Any mention of Canada anywhere in the US media will create the anti-meh reaction(among Canadians anyway).
posted by BozoBurgerBonanza at 10:40 AM on November 18, 2008
As a Canadian, I am insulted by the implicatio....HOLY CRAP! An American newspaper mentioned CANADA!!!
Any mention of Canada anywhere in the US media will create the anti-meh reaction(among Canadians anyway).
posted by BozoBurgerBonanza at 10:40 AM on November 18, 2008
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posted by gman at 2:35 PM on November 17, 2008 [1 favorite]