Missy Posted November 17, 2008 Report Share Posted November 17, 2008 'Meh': Apathetic expression enters dictionary By JILL LAWLESS, Associated Press Writer Jill Lawless, Associated Press Writer LONDON – At least someone is excited about "meh." The expression of indifference or boredom has gained a place in the Collins English Dictionary after generating a surprising amount of enthusiasm among lexicographers. Publisher HarperCollins announced Monday the word had been chosen from terms suggested by the public for inclusion in the dictionary's 30th anniversary edition, to be published next year. 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. "They both just reply 'meh' and keep watching TV," said Cormac McKeown, head of content at Collins Dictionaries. 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." The dictionary's compilers said the word originated in North America, spread through the Internet and was now entering British spoken English. "This is a new interjection from the U.S. that seems to have inveigled its way into common speech over here," McKeown said. "Internet forums and e-mail are playing a big part in formalizing the spellings of vocal interjections like these. A couple of other examples would be 'hmm' and 'heh.' "Meh" was selected by Collins after it asked people to submit words they use in conversation that are not in the dictionary. Other suggestions included jargonaut, a fan of jargon; frenemy, an enemy disguised as a friend; and huggles, a hybrid of hugs and snuggles. Source It truly saddens me that "meh" has become a legitimate word. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JackFetch Posted November 17, 2008 Report Share Posted November 17, 2008 I hate anyone that uses meh, or any other internet speak in real life. The god damn Simpsons did not invent it either. The one that really pisses me off is QQ. I will punch the first person that says that to me in person. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aaron Robinson Posted November 17, 2008 Report Share Posted November 17, 2008 Meh. I'm so sorry. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest DCAUFan1051 Posted November 17, 2008 Report Share Posted November 17, 2008 I hate anyone that uses meh, or any other internet speak in real life. The god damn Simpsons did not invent it either. The one that really pisses me off is QQ. I will punch the first person that says that to me in person. I hate to do this jack but I use meh all the time, and the first place I heard it was the Simpsons and by the way what is QQ?? :devil: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kscriv Posted November 17, 2008 Report Share Posted November 17, 2008 I first heard meh all the time outside the internet and it is part of my actual speech. I seriously don't knowwhy some people get so jumpy over vocabulary. I mean, language is there so that people understand each other. So long as I can understand you, I don't care what you say. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan Posted November 17, 2008 Report Share Posted November 17, 2008 I don't use it in real life, but I will confess to typing it from time to time. I'm very ashamed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JackFetch Posted November 17, 2008 Report Share Posted November 17, 2008 We are witnessing the death of the english language because people are too lazy to type full sentences. The fact that they are putting all these made up words into the dictionary means kids will learn them in school. In twenty years we won't even know what people are saying because it will all be short hand. QQ means cry btw. I mostly hear it when people are arguing as it's kind of an insult to tell people to "QQ more". Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dread Posted November 17, 2008 Report Share Posted November 17, 2008 I'd say booo-urns but then I'd be afraid of it becoming a word too so I will simply: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan Posted November 17, 2008 Report Share Posted November 17, 2008 I'd say booo-urns but then I'd be afraid of it becoming a word too so I will simply: Okay, I must know. Is "boo-urns" a Canadian thing? I never, not one time, ever, heard it used outside of that one Simpsons episode, and then my company merged with its Canadian parent, and I have to talk to Albertans all day long, and I swear now a day doesn't go by that somebody up there doesn't throw that in my general direction. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dread Posted November 17, 2008 Report Share Posted November 17, 2008 I'd say booo-urns but then I'd be afraid of it becoming a word too so I will simply: Okay, I must know. Is "boo-urns" a Canadian thing? I never, not one time, ever, heard it used outside of that one Simpsons episode, and then my company merged with its Canadian parent, and I have to talk to Albertans all day long, and I swear now a day doesn't go by that somebody up there doesn't throw that in my general direction. Uh...I guess so. hoser Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SuaveStar Posted November 17, 2008 Report Share Posted November 17, 2008 Well this ones for you jack ROFLMAOWWRWDSUP Rolling on the floor, laughing my ass off while watching Robin Williams do stand up comedy. If lol goes in the dictionary I will kill someone, like I killed Dubs singing career! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SuaveStar Posted November 17, 2008 Report Share Posted November 17, 2008 I'd say booo-urns but then I'd be afraid of it becoming a word too so I will simply: It's Curns! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted November 17, 2008 Report Share Posted November 17, 2008 Are we seriously acting like slang and colloquialisms are the downfall of western civilization? It's a word. I surely didn't lose my entire vocabulary when "crunk" entered the dictionary. This isn't going to matter one bit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Missy Posted November 17, 2008 Author Report Share Posted November 17, 2008 By no means do I think it's a sign of The End Time, but I do hate the phrase and generally edit it out of reviews. Saying "meh" doesn't give anybody an indication of what was wrong with the reviewed item. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted November 17, 2008 Report Share Posted November 17, 2008 Well, yeah, but I'm at the point I'll throw shit in there that I know you're going to delete, just to keep you on your toes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Missy Posted November 17, 2008 Author Report Share Posted November 17, 2008 Actually, I don't remember the last time you used a "meh" in a review. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan Posted November 17, 2008 Report Share Posted November 17, 2008 Again, that would probably be me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted November 17, 2008 Report Share Posted November 17, 2008 I don't use "meh" often. I prefer entire paragraphs of senseless bullshit. Though I guarantee I've used it for a Wolverine or a Cable review before. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Missy Posted November 17, 2008 Author Report Share Posted November 17, 2008 Again, that would probably be me. Once in a while, yes. But it's not just you; I think pretty much everyone has done it once or twice. I don't use "meh" often. I prefer entire paragraphs of senseless bullshit. When I cut those, it's not a comment on the quality of writing. Usually I simply felt the review needed to be streamlined and wasn't hurt by the loss of the line / paragraph. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted November 17, 2008 Report Share Posted November 17, 2008 Like I said, I put stuff in there I know isn't going to make it past you. It doesn't offend me. "Nazi bees, my god" was a total fluke though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan Posted November 17, 2008 Report Share Posted November 17, 2008 Seriously. Getting shit past Mike's radar is one of my hobbies. I can't tell you how funny I found it when I *finally* got a shot at Quesada past you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Missy Posted November 17, 2008 Author Report Share Posted November 17, 2008 What?! Where? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan Posted November 17, 2008 Report Share Posted November 17, 2008 Muhuhahahaha... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Missy Posted November 17, 2008 Author Report Share Posted November 17, 2008 Assuming it was in a written review and not an episode of The Show, a quick search only pulled up this, from your review of Ultimate X-Men #96: I beseech you, Joe Quesada: kill this book before it destroys us all. But that's not a shot at him. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan Posted November 17, 2008 Report Share Posted November 17, 2008 Logan #1. I didn't use his name. So first of all, who the hell thought, "You know what the world is missing? An eleventh book with Wolverine in it. I'm not sure why I didn't think of that before. I'm a genius. Memo to self: made another gutsy decision today. Celebrate with the Funny Face pancakes at IHOP and another gold chain." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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