Hatrack River Forum: Meh

This is topic Meh in forum Books, Films, Food and Culture at Hatrack River Forum.

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Posted by Lisa (Member # 8384) on :

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.

Posted by erosomniac (Member # 6834) on :

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)

Posted by The Reader (Member # 3636) on :

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."

Posted by Luet13 (Member # 9274) on :

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.'"

Can't remember...Grr

Posted by pfresh85 (Member # 8085) on :

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?

Posted by RunningBear (Member # 8477) on :

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.

Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :

Obligatory wikilink

Posted by Lisa (Member # 8384) on :

Huh. I should have thought of that. Thanks, Rivka.

Posted by Leonide (Member # 4157) on :

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! [Frown]

"

In fact, I'd say we barely ever use it in the way you describe.

Posted by TomDavidson (Member # 124) on :

Then you and your friends are using it incorrectly. [Smile]

Posted by Nathan2006 (Member # 9387) on :

I've only seen it in writing.

Posted by Narnia (Member # 1071) on :

I've only used it to express satsified disinterest or relative apathy. [Smile]

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.

Posted by The White Whale (Member # 6594) on :

My friends and I decided it is the noise a deer makes.

Posted by BlackBlade (Member # 8376) on :

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.

Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :

quote:
Originally posted by TomDavidson:
Then you and your friends are using it incorrectly.

Agreed.

However, if there are enough of you, perhaps you can spread this mutant version of the meme.

I doubt it, though. [Wink]

Posted by The White Whale (Member # 6594) on :

please see post in 'Ew, she kissed him' for explanation for space-time rift.

Posted by erosomniac (Member # 6834) on :

quote:
Originally posted by Leonide:

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.

Posted by Leonide (Member # 4157) on :

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

Posted by vonk (Member # 9027) on :

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.