The origins of meh
posted by Brit
So the word 'meh' has entered the Collins English Dictionary. Used to express indifference, vague contempt or boredom, the official acceptance of meh is an example of the influence of internet-speak.
As usual, the Americans think they invented it (they think they invented all sorts of things, like baseball and motor cars. Meh!).
However, today I can exclusively reveal the true origins of the word on Thought Experiments. It is a corruption of Auden's magnificently-timed 'Mneh', which features in the sixth stanza of Moon Landing. In context, the meaning is unambiguous.
So the word 'meh' has entered the Collins English Dictionary. Used to express indifference, vague contempt or boredom, the official acceptance of meh is an example of the influence of internet-speak.
As usual, the Americans think they invented it (they think they invented all sorts of things, like baseball and motor cars. Meh!).
However, today I can exclusively reveal the true origins of the word on Thought Experiments. It is a corruption of Auden's magnificently-timed 'Mneh', which features in the sixth stanza of Moon Landing. In context, the meaning is unambiguous.
# posted by Brit : 10:09 AM
16 Comments:
At November 17, 2008 10:56 AM,
malty said…
Did Auden have a word for "boggingofftoAmericaandtakingtheirmoneywhilstrubbishinghishosts"
?
My dogs make that sound whilst peeing.
At November 17, 2008 10:58 AM,
malty said…
Wots gone wrong with blog Brit, gremlins again?
At November 17, 2008 11:15 AM,
Brit said…
Seems ok to me at the moment - what's the problem?
At November 17, 2008 1:30 PM,
malty said…
A quick squirt of WD40 seems to have resolved the problem
The text box had acquired a slider and the ability to type outside of the box.
Mustn't grumble.
At November 17, 2008 1:36 PM,
Brit said…
Bryan's blog does seem unusually susceptible to gremlins.
At November 17, 2008 3:28 PM,
ian russell said…
meh! (that's the first and, hopefully, last time I'll use it).
At November 17, 2008 4:10 PM,
elberry said…
Meh! sounds like a Mesopotamian deity of some sort.
At November 18, 2008 5:20 PM,
Anonymous said…
You guys are all missing the point. Knowing the true definition of "meh", you would realize that using an exclamation point after it is essentially an oxymoron. At best "meh" can be followed by a period, but probably better by the three dot ellipsis...
At November 18, 2008 5:31 PM,
David said…
If Auden's use of "Mneh" does indeed count as invention of the term "meh," it was still invented by an American, as Auden held American citizenship since 1946. Thanks for playing.
At November 18, 2008 6:50 PM,
Brit said…
A mere technicality, David.
Auden is as American as Greg Rusedski is British.
At November 18, 2008 6:57 PM,
Caren Lissner said…
Man, you guys are still bitter about W.H., 60 years later. He offered to enlist many times, but they didn't want his little pasty butt. Don't hate the playa, hate the game!
At November 18, 2008 6:59 PM,
Caren Lissner said…
Wow, Malty, you guys are still bitter about W.H., 60+ years later. He offered to enlist and fight in the war many times, but they didn't want his little pasty butt. Don't hate the playa, hate the game!
At November 18, 2008 7:39 PM,
3 Letter Word said…
Glad to know that "meh" has gotten some recognition.
At November 18, 2008 8:19 PM,
Anonymous said…
I still hold to its origins being Yiddish. An interesting discussion here: http://www.languagehat.com/archives/002716.php
I wonder if anyone has ever pestered the Simpsons writers about their source?
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