posted
So... where did "meh" come from? I used it in an e-mail to my brother without thinking about it, and he pretty much figured out what it meant, but when he asked to be sure, it occurred to me that I have no clue where it's from.
I know "eh" and "neh" from the Ender books, but "meh"... I just kind of picked it up from around the Internet.
Posts: 12266 | Registered: Jul 2005
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posted
I've been vocalizing "meh" since I was pretty young, which leads me to believe that it, much like "eh" and "neh," originates in an asian language--Chinese or Filipino, most likely.
("meh" most likely Chinese/Filipino, not the other two)
Posts: 4313 | Registered: Sep 2004
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posted
Imagine shrugging your shoulders at the same time you say it. It expresses a satisfied disinterest, if that makes any sense. It's kind of like saying "no big deal."
Posts: 684 | Registered: Jun 2002
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posted
I first became aware of 'meh' on The Simpsons. It has since become an integral part of my vocabulary. I wish I could remember the exact episode name, but I know Bart and Lisa respond to Homer, "Meh." And then again, "We said, 'Meh.'"
posted
Isn't that the one where they talk about what generation they are in and how they feel neither highs nor lows and then when Homer asks how does that feel they just respond "Meh."? Or am I totally off in my episode?
Posts: 1960 | Registered: May 2005
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posted
I have used it since... well, since I can remember, and thought naught of it. I originally spoke chinese and my parents lived in Asia so... maybe.
Posts: 883 | Registered: Aug 2005
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quote:Originally posted by The Reader: Imagine shrugging your shoulders at the same time you say it. It expresses a satisfied disinterest, if that makes any sense. It's kind of like saying "no big deal."
That's not the only way it's used. I (and most of my friends) use it as an exclamation of annoyance or disappointment:
"Lost will only be 16 episodes from now on."
"Meh!"
It can have a faintly whiny tone to it, or even an air of "yeah, well, your mama!" If used in a situation like:
"Joe, you look stupid, why are you wearing two left shoes?"
"Meh!"
Among the people I know, it was first used by one of our more sensitive friends, to imply hyperbolic injury to an insult.
"You can't always get what you want, Alana!"
"Meh! "
In fact, I'd say we barely ever use it in the way you describe.
Posts: 3516 | Registered: Sep 2002
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posted
I've only used it to express satsified disinterest or relative apathy. I'd love to say that it's just the sound that naturally seems to work for that, and therefore I say it, but I know better. I'm sure I heard it somewhere first.
Posts: 6415 | Registered: Jul 2000
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posted
I definately picked it up from the Simpsons. But I had a friend that I admired alot and he definately said "meh" in the manner that it was used in The Simpsons.
I use it all the time in my speech.
Posts: 14316 | Registered: Jul 2005
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quote:Originally posted by The Reader: Imagine shrugging your shoulders at the same time you say it. It expresses a satisfied disinterest, if that makes any sense. It's kind of like saying "no big deal."
That's not the only way it's used. I (and most of my friends) use it as an exclamation of annoyance or disappointment:
"Lost will only be 16 episodes from now on."
"Meh!"
It can have a faintly whiny tone to it, or even an air of "yeah, well, your mama!" If used in a situation like:
"Joe, you look stupid, why are you wearing two left shoes?"
"Meh!"
Among the people I know, it was first used by one of our more sensitive friends, to imply hyperbolic injury to an insult.
"You can't always get what you want, Alana!"
"Meh! "
In fact, I'd say we barely ever use it in the way you describe.
It took the smiley in the last example for me to be able to tell you were using it differently at all.
Posts: 4313 | Registered: Sep 2004
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quote:Then you and your friends are using it incorrectly.
Can it really be said to have a correct usage? It works admirably well in context (and, yeah, erosomniac, i realize translation is iffy at best through the internet) and i've heard others using it similarly who aren't part of my immediate group of friends
Posts: 3516 | Registered: Sep 2002
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posted
If I have heard anyone use it that way, I didn't realize they were using it that way and completely misunderstood. But I'm pretty sure I haven't heard anyone use it that way.
The first time I heard it spelled out was on the Simpsons, but I have no idea if I'd used it before that.
Posts: 2596 | Registered: Jan 2006
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