Meh December 21, 2007 3:40 AM Subscribe
Whence "meh", and can it be stopped?
So since the "fixed that for you" obnoxiousness was addressed in this space recently, in the spirit of Festivus and its attendant airing of grievances, I have to ask, where does "meh" come from? I understand if people are not moved by a particular post, or even if it's borderline despicable. But bothering to weigh in simply with "meh"? What is that? Is it funny? Is it informative? It seems to me the emblem of the condescending, haughty, snarky and unimaginative... you know, all those things that embody MeFi at its occasional worst.
Come on people now, smile on your brother, everybody together and retire this tired, lazy epithet right now.
So since the "fixed that for you" obnoxiousness was addressed in this space recently, in the spirit of Festivus and its attendant airing of grievances, I have to ask, where does "meh" come from? I understand if people are not moved by a particular post, or even if it's borderline despicable. But bothering to weigh in simply with "meh"? What is that? Is it funny? Is it informative? It seems to me the emblem of the condescending, haughty, snarky and unimaginative... you know, all those things that embody MeFi at its occasional worst.
Come on people now, smile on your brother, everybody together and retire this tired, lazy epithet right now.
MetaFilter: the emblem of the condescending, haughty, snarky and unimaginative
posted by Plutor at 3:44 AM on December 21, 2007 [1 favorite]
posted by Plutor at 3:44 AM on December 21, 2007 [1 favorite]
Whence "meh"
Oh, you know. Around.
and can it be stopped?
Meh.
posted by Faint of Butt at 3:45 AM on December 21, 2007 [7 favorites]
Oh, you know. Around.
and can it be stopped?
Meh.
posted by Faint of Butt at 3:45 AM on December 21, 2007 [7 favorites]
(runs off to register mehtafilter.com)
posted by the dief at 4:13 AM on December 21, 2007 [11 favorites]
posted by the dief at 4:13 AM on December 21, 2007 [11 favorites]
There are a few pointless answers on AskMe that kind of irk me. Like writing a whole post and then adding at the end, "On preview, what _____ said,". Or even worse, making a separate post to say "On preview..." when it clearly wasn't on preview. Or "Nthing ____." (If the answer was already given and you have nothing to add, why comment at all?) Or "DTMFA". Or "I didn't read anyone else's remarks, but" (blah blah blah).
I'm also peeved when people give a brief answer with a question mark, as a subtle form of hostility. (Question: "Why _________?" Answer: "Onewordanswer?")
Okay, I think that's all my nitpicks for now. Good morning.
posted by loiseau at 4:14 AM on December 21, 2007 [1 favorite]
I'm also peeved when people give a brief answer with a question mark, as a subtle form of hostility. (Question: "Why _________?" Answer: "Onewordanswer?")
Okay, I think that's all my nitpicks for now. Good morning.
posted by loiseau at 4:14 AM on December 21, 2007 [1 favorite]
We will control the horizontal. We will control the vertical. Sit quietly and we will control all that you see and hear.
posted by Dave Faris at 4:17 AM on December 21, 2007 [4 favorites]
posted by Dave Faris at 4:17 AM on December 21, 2007 [4 favorites]
What she said.
posted by Kirth Gerson at 4:18 AM on December 21, 2007
posted by Kirth Gerson at 4:18 AM on December 21, 2007
On preview, what loiseau said.
posted by Kirth Gerson at 4:19 AM on December 21, 2007 [2 favorites]
posted by Kirth Gerson at 4:19 AM on December 21, 2007 [2 favorites]
James Brown sez:
Hit meh!
uuugh!
Good god y'all !
posted by flapjax at midnite at 4:23 AM on December 21, 2007 [10 favorites]
Hit meh!
uuugh!
Good god y'all !
posted by flapjax at midnite at 4:23 AM on December 21, 2007 [10 favorites]
I'm with you on this, though, psmealey. Just posting "meh" is lazy. And worse, it's BORING.
posted by flapjax at midnite at 4:24 AM on December 21, 2007 [1 favorite]
posted by flapjax at midnite at 4:24 AM on December 21, 2007 [1 favorite]
Feh.
posted by motty at 4:27 AM on December 21, 2007 [1 favorite]
posted by motty at 4:27 AM on December 21, 2007 [1 favorite]
Or "Nthing ____." (If the answer was already given and you have nothing to add, why comment at all?)
I think this one is actually worthwhile. An answer/suggestion that a few people agree with arguably has more weight than just one person saying it.
I agree with the rest of your nitpicks loiseau.
posted by ClanvidHorse at 4:33 AM on December 21, 2007 [1 favorite]
I think this one is actually worthwhile. An answer/suggestion that a few people agree with arguably has more weight than just one person saying it.
I agree with the rest of your nitpicks loiseau.
posted by ClanvidHorse at 4:33 AM on December 21, 2007 [1 favorite]
Despite the cited thread above, I am pretty sure its use precedes the internet.
posted by caddis at 4:46 AM on December 21, 2007
posted by caddis at 4:46 AM on December 21, 2007
'Meh' is the first letter of one of Apathor's "Sixteen or Seventeen Dread Names or Something." Modern Apathites, especially those of more progressive Order of the Passive Snark, use it as minor invocation of their patron's powers. Apathor, being an ancient god of laziness and lack of motivation (his most famous of temples, the never-quite-completed Pile of Bricks of Babel, had its last biblical mention expunged from the Bible in 978 by a lazy Irish monk - it was late and his heart really wasn't in it that day), can only really be invoked by half hearted measures - were the Apathite to transcribe the entire prayer it would defeat the purpose, anger the god, and likely lead to nothing, as Apathor is slow to rouse and even less likely to act.
In fact, many of the more orthodox Apathite sects such as The Ancient and Illuminated Forum Lurkers or The Transportation Security Administration see 'Meh' as a sort of curse or insult because to them, the very act of making even the most half hearted effort goes against everything they believe Apathor stands for. For scriptural support, they would cite the seminal Apathanian work Malleus Activium if 1) they had the energy 2) they had bothered to read it or 3) it was written in the first place. Of course, the more progressive Passive Snarkists or members of the Universalist Congregation of Apathor (reformed) would counter that for true apathy to be shown, a half hearted effort must be made. Otherwise it'd be the same as if they had not read the post in the first place. In his "Essays," Enlightenment Apathite Johan Von Longermaname talks about the Allegory of the Rake Near the Cave where a lone philosopher, coming across a cave whose entrance is strewn with leaves would think nothing of it unless there was a rake leaning in full view against said cave which would then speak volumes about someones', 'perhaps the cave owner or perhaps Jesus or something, intentions of actually raking the leaves, but not feeling like it right now.' (This sounds better in the original German)
So you are, I think, right to decry the use of 'Meh' on Metafilter, psmealey, as it could possibly touch off an entire Apathite schism, replete with shrugging and tl;drs, the likes of which Metafilter has never seen due to the extreme reluctance of Apathites to actually engage in anything. Therefore, I suspect that most of the 'Meh'-ers are Dutch, which if you know anything about the Internet, makes perfect sense.
posted by robocop is bleeding at 4:59 AM on December 21, 2007 [106 favorites]
In fact, many of the more orthodox Apathite sects such as The Ancient and Illuminated Forum Lurkers or The Transportation Security Administration see 'Meh' as a sort of curse or insult because to them, the very act of making even the most half hearted effort goes against everything they believe Apathor stands for. For scriptural support, they would cite the seminal Apathanian work Malleus Activium if 1) they had the energy 2) they had bothered to read it or 3) it was written in the first place. Of course, the more progressive Passive Snarkists or members of the Universalist Congregation of Apathor (reformed) would counter that for true apathy to be shown, a half hearted effort must be made. Otherwise it'd be the same as if they had not read the post in the first place. In his "Essays," Enlightenment Apathite Johan Von Longermaname talks about the Allegory of the Rake Near the Cave where a lone philosopher, coming across a cave whose entrance is strewn with leaves would think nothing of it unless there was a rake leaning in full view against said cave which would then speak volumes about someones', 'perhaps the cave owner or perhaps Jesus or something, intentions of actually raking the leaves, but not feeling like it right now.' (This sounds better in the original German)
So you are, I think, right to decry the use of 'Meh' on Metafilter, psmealey, as it could possibly touch off an entire Apathite schism, replete with shrugging and tl;drs, the likes of which Metafilter has never seen due to the extreme reluctance of Apathites to actually engage in anything. Therefore, I suspect that most of the 'Meh'-ers are Dutch, which if you know anything about the Internet, makes perfect sense.
posted by robocop is bleeding at 4:59 AM on December 21, 2007 [106 favorites]
Exactly my point. Eloquently stated as always, robocop.
posted by psmealey at 5:04 AM on December 21, 2007
posted by psmealey at 5:04 AM on December 21, 2007
Perhaps we could brush the dust off the antiquated 'pschaw', instead?
posted by RokkitNite at 5:14 AM on December 21, 2007
posted by RokkitNite at 5:14 AM on December 21, 2007
I think you mean pshaw. Also, faf, foop, pfft, ack, ergh, are overplayed but absolutely correct if used in the right context.
posted by h00py at 5:20 AM on December 21, 2007
posted by h00py at 5:20 AM on December 21, 2007
"pfft" is good. I can get behind "pfft".
posted by flapjax at midnite at 5:22 AM on December 21, 2007 [1 favorite]
posted by flapjax at midnite at 5:22 AM on December 21, 2007 [1 favorite]
I just thank God you didn't ask for a freakin' pony. I'm actually starting to dislike real ponies, just by association.
posted by miss lynnster at 5:37 AM on December 21, 2007 [3 favorites]
posted by miss lynnster at 5:37 AM on December 21, 2007 [3 favorites]
In my experience, ponies bite. They look cute, but they're nasty fuckers.
posted by h00py at 5:42 AM on December 21, 2007 [1 favorite]
posted by h00py at 5:42 AM on December 21, 2007 [1 favorite]
If only there were a word that expressed my complete indifference to all of this.
posted by [@I][:+:][@I] at 5:43 AM on December 21, 2007 [11 favorites]
posted by [@I][:+:][@I] at 5:43 AM on December 21, 2007 [11 favorites]
In the spirit of the season: Bah! Humbug!
posted by SteveTheRed at 5:52 AM on December 21, 2007
posted by SteveTheRed at 5:52 AM on December 21, 2007
That would probably be 'pffh' (the eyeroll is implied).
posted by h00py at 5:52 AM on December 21, 2007
posted by h00py at 5:52 AM on December 21, 2007
Boy, some of you sure are cranky when I first wake up.
to make coherent, just add caffeine
*slurp*
posted by rtha at 5:54 AM on December 21, 2007
to make coherent, just add caffeine
*slurp*
posted by rtha at 5:54 AM on December 21, 2007
Um...
posted by StickyCarpet at 5:59 AM on December 21, 2007
posted by StickyCarpet at 5:59 AM on December 21, 2007
On preview, what [@I][:+:][@I] said.
posted by desuetude at 6:06 AM on December 21, 2007
"In my experience, ponies bite. They look cute, but they're nasty fuckers."
Damn skippy.
posted by mr_crash_davis at 6:11 AM on December 21, 2007
Damn skippy.
posted by mr_crash_davis at 6:11 AM on December 21, 2007
Beh.
Trying to get apathetic persons not to be all apathetical. That's all sorts of ironical, I'm amused.
P.S. I want a pony, a flying pony, a hugging flying pony with no teeth.
posted by -t at 6:23 AM on December 21, 2007
Trying to get apathetic persons not to be all apathetical. That's all sorts of ironical, I'm amused.
P.S. I want a pony, a flying pony, a hugging flying pony with no teeth.
posted by -t at 6:23 AM on December 21, 2007
I propose we all kick it old-school alt.folklore.urban USENET style in 2008 with lots of "furrfu"s all around.
Furrfu!
posted by GuyZero at 6:31 AM on December 21, 2007 [1 favorite]
Furrfu!
posted by GuyZero at 6:31 AM on December 21, 2007 [1 favorite]
And worse, it's BORING.
Since my only thought in every single comment I ever make on MetaFilter is only to entertain you, I shall strive to do better in the future. I shall cease my current practice of posting answers in AskMe solely on the basis of whether they are "helpful," as clearly, a helpful answer is worthless if it is not also entertaining.
posted by DevilsAdvocate at 6:34 AM on December 21, 2007 [2 favorites]
Since my only thought in every single comment I ever make on MetaFilter is only to entertain you, I shall strive to do better in the future. I shall cease my current practice of posting answers in AskMe solely on the basis of whether they are "helpful," as clearly, a helpful answer is worthless if it is not also entertaining.
posted by DevilsAdvocate at 6:34 AM on December 21, 2007 [2 favorites]
"I'm also peeved when people give a brief answer with a question mark, as a subtle form of hostility."
Yes! Also, when the first answer is one (frequently misspelled, almost never capitalized or punctuated) word. "OMGOMG I have to answer first!"
(Yes, I know that would make a good tagline, you lazy hacks.)
posted by Ian A.T. at 6:35 AM on December 21, 2007
Yes! Also, when the first answer is one (frequently misspelled, almost never capitalized or punctuated) word. "OMGOMG I have to answer first!"
(Yes, I know that would make a good tagline, you lazy hacks.)
posted by Ian A.T. at 6:35 AM on December 21, 2007
*non-committal heck-if-I-know gesture*
posted by everichon at 6:41 AM on December 21, 2007 [1 favorite]
posted by everichon at 6:41 AM on December 21, 2007 [1 favorite]
See meh, feel meh, touch meh, heal meh.
posted by chlorus at 6:44 AM on December 21, 2007 [6 favorites]
posted by chlorus at 6:44 AM on December 21, 2007 [6 favorites]
I'm so apathetical I asked a friend of mine to actually write and post this message while I'm on the bed not doing anything. Not that I actually care about this issue or anything else.
posted by darkripper at 6:48 AM on December 21, 2007 [2 favorites]
posted by darkripper at 6:48 AM on December 21, 2007 [2 favorites]
I, for one, am in favor of a return to mild, Victorian-era epithets such as "Fiddlesticks!" and "Poppycock!"
posted by Dr. Wu at 6:48 AM on December 21, 2007 [1 favorite]
posted by Dr. Wu at 6:48 AM on December 21, 2007 [1 favorite]
M is for the Many ways I do not give a shit
E is for the Ennui that I feel
H is for the special Hell reserved by holy writ
For all the things that do not much appeal
"Meh" is just a simple word, hardly a yawn's pupae
In a language even asshats understand
Time tested and time proven, you cannot take it away
Unless you prise it from my cold and lifeless hand
posted by Sparx at 6:51 AM on December 21, 2007 [25 favorites]
E is for the Ennui that I feel
H is for the special Hell reserved by holy writ
For all the things that do not much appeal
"Meh" is just a simple word, hardly a yawn's pupae
In a language even asshats understand
Time tested and time proven, you cannot take it away
Unless you prise it from my cold and lifeless hand
posted by Sparx at 6:51 AM on December 21, 2007 [25 favorites]
I disagree with pretty much everyone here. "Meh" as an expression of indifference to a topic is vastly more informative than not posting anything, in which case the person in question may simply thing they're not being read and try blathering the same thing again.
"Meh" is the on-line equivalent of checking your watch or shifting uncomfortably in your chair. It fills the niche between politely changing the topic or simply saying "So how about those Yankees?"
In short, expressing indifference is an important part of communication and "meh." is one of the ways it is done on-line.
posted by tkolar at 6:52 AM on December 21, 2007 [3 favorites]
"Meh" is the on-line equivalent of checking your watch or shifting uncomfortably in your chair. It fills the niche between politely changing the topic or simply saying "So how about those Yankees?"
In short, expressing indifference is an important part of communication and "meh." is one of the ways it is done on-line.
posted by tkolar at 6:52 AM on December 21, 2007 [3 favorites]
F is for all the fine feelings I feel...
Ah fuck it.
posted by stavrosthewonderchicken at 6:54 AM on December 21, 2007 [2 favorites]
Ah fuck it.
posted by stavrosthewonderchicken at 6:54 AM on December 21, 2007 [2 favorites]
I feel so strongly about the opinion that I don't have, that I am posting here to proclaim, loudly, that I don't have it!
posted by blue_beetle at 7:00 AM on December 21, 2007 [1 favorite]
posted by blue_beetle at 7:00 AM on December 21, 2007 [1 favorite]
If you listen very closely, Crazy Frog is just someone who says "meh" a lot.
posted by goodnewsfortheinsane at 7:08 AM on December 21, 2007
posted by goodnewsfortheinsane at 7:08 AM on December 21, 2007
Please take it to MehTaFilter.
posted by shothotbot at 7:09 AM on December 21, 2007
posted by shothotbot at 7:09 AM on December 21, 2007
Can we just skip straight to the Feats of Strength?
posted by hangashore at 7:11 AM on December 21, 2007 [4 favorites]
posted by hangashore at 7:11 AM on December 21, 2007 [4 favorites]
I hereby declare that expressions I don't use should also not be used by anyone else! Since I don't use it myself it must necessarily be intellectually lazy and boring!
So -- dare I use it? -- meh.
posted by clevershark at 7:17 AM on December 21, 2007
So -- dare I use it? -- meh.
posted by clevershark at 7:17 AM on December 21, 2007
Down with this sort of thing!
posted by Smart Dalek at 7:20 AM on December 21, 2007 [1 favorite]
posted by Smart Dalek at 7:20 AM on December 21, 2007 [1 favorite]
everybody get together and retire this tired, lazy epithet right now.
Fixed that for you.
Also, fuck off fascist
posted by bonaldi at 7:27 AM on December 21, 2007
Fixed that for you.
Also, fuck off fascist
posted by bonaldi at 7:27 AM on December 21, 2007
So how about those Yankees?
posted by languagehat at 7:30 AM on December 21, 2007
posted by languagehat at 7:30 AM on December 21, 2007
A good bucket of poppycock is ruined if you put that artificial butter on it.
posted by Kirth Gerson at 7:32 AM on December 21, 2007
posted by Kirth Gerson at 7:32 AM on December 21, 2007
*Checks watch*
posted by shothotbot at 7:32 AM on December 21, 2007
posted by shothotbot at 7:32 AM on December 21, 2007
I will take my place among the few who defend 'meh'. Taken alone, I can see the argument against it's inclusion into a thread, which is to say, that if the only comment you post is simply those three letters, the odds are probably good that you could have refrained from making a comment at all.
However, when used in conjunction with some kind of qualifier, those same three simple letters can convey, very concisely, your precise feelings on a subject.
For example: "Check out this link to this car! It's the coolest thing anyone has ever seen! It's engine is bigger and it goes faster than anything else on the road. I mean just look at it's flaming paint job! You know with flames like that it's gotta be awesome!"
Your response: "Meh, it's not actually as fast as any number of other cars that are far less flashy and have a better power to weight ratio."
In terms of a simple way of deflating a gross overstatement, there are few words as simple and efficient.
posted by quin at 7:33 AM on December 21, 2007
However, when used in conjunction with some kind of qualifier, those same three simple letters can convey, very concisely, your precise feelings on a subject.
For example: "Check out this link to this car! It's the coolest thing anyone has ever seen! It's engine is bigger and it goes faster than anything else on the road. I mean just look at it's flaming paint job! You know with flames like that it's gotta be awesome!"
Your response: "Meh, it's not actually as fast as any number of other cars that are far less flashy and have a better power to weight ratio."
In terms of a simple way of deflating a gross overstatement, there are few words as simple and efficient.
posted by quin at 7:33 AM on December 21, 2007
And the winner for the most use of the word 'simple' in a single comment is...
posted by quin at 7:34 AM on December 21, 2007
posted by quin at 7:34 AM on December 21, 2007
Also, fuck off fascist
After I am done collecting your tired online slang, I'll be coming for your MeFi-in jokes.
All that and jackboots too. They're so stylish!
posted by psmealey at 7:35 AM on December 21, 2007
After I am done collecting your tired online slang, I'll be coming for your MeFi-in jokes.
All that and jackboots too. They're so stylish!
posted by psmealey at 7:35 AM on December 21, 2007
Did "nthing" originate with Metafilter? This is hard to Google for -- you get pages and pages of misspellings of "nothing". But some searches indicate that it's a very Metafilter-centric saying. What was the first MeFi use of it? Is there any easy way to search for that?
posted by painquale at 7:47 AM on December 21, 2007
posted by painquale at 7:47 AM on December 21, 2007
If you haven't noticed around here, user number 1 really likes that expression. I think he's onto something. In some situations it is just the right sentiment, although it is overused.
posted by caddis at 7:55 AM on December 21, 2007
posted by caddis at 7:55 AM on December 21, 2007
*yawn*
posted by monju_bosatsu at 7:57 AM on December 21, 2007
posted by monju_bosatsu at 7:57 AM on December 21, 2007
mehguage log.
Lazy, one-note mehing is a much a problem as any other lazy, one-note commenting crutch; no less, no more. Don't go throwing out the mehby with the bathwater.
posted by cortex (staff) at 8:11 AM on December 21, 2007 [1 favorite]
Lazy, one-note mehing is a much a problem as any other lazy, one-note commenting crutch; no less, no more. Don't go throwing out the mehby with the bathwater.
posted by cortex (staff) at 8:11 AM on December 21, 2007 [1 favorite]
I also really hate "Meh."
posted by Quartermass at 8:11 AM on December 21, 2007
posted by Quartermass at 8:11 AM on December 21, 2007
If you haven't noticed around here, user number 1 really likes that expression.
He was using it back in 2002. The man's a thought-leader.
By a rough count, though, it looks like I may use it slightly more often than he does, even when you factor out my explanations of how to pronounce "mefi".
Jessamyn hardly mehs at all.
psmealey mehs conservatively, but examples can be found. There's also the question of reflexive mehtacommentary, if you will.
posted by cortex (staff) at 8:20 AM on December 21, 2007
He was using it back in 2002. The man's a thought-leader.
By a rough count, though, it looks like I may use it slightly more often than he does, even when you factor out my explanations of how to pronounce "mefi".
Jessamyn hardly mehs at all.
psmealey mehs conservatively, but examples can be found. There's also the question of reflexive mehtacommentary, if you will.
posted by cortex (staff) at 8:20 AM on December 21, 2007
I am so busted.
/looks for rock to crawl under
In my defense, I was mostly talking about just leaving, meh as one's sole contribution to a thread. I'll admit that the expression does have utility in summing up one's indifference to something in a post or article.
posted by psmealey at 8:23 AM on December 21, 2007
/looks for rock to crawl under
In my defense, I was mostly talking about just leaving, meh as one's sole contribution to a thread. I'll admit that the expression does have utility in summing up one's indifference to something in a post or article.
posted by psmealey at 8:23 AM on December 21, 2007
While "meh" is certainly all that people say it is, the answer is "No, it cannot be stopped" anymore than any other linguistic/language/etiquette issue can be stopped and it is a waste of brain cells to be overly bothered by it. Acknowledge and move on.
posted by spock at 8:23 AM on December 21, 2007
posted by spock at 8:23 AM on December 21, 2007
Whence "meh", and can it be stopped?
So since the "fixed that for you" obnoxiousness was addressed in this space recently, in the spirit of
Yeah, whatever, boring. Meh.
posted by kittens for breakfast at 8:24 AM on December 21, 2007
So since the "fixed that for you" obnoxiousness was addressed in this space recently, in the spirit of
Yeah, whatever, boring. Meh.
posted by kittens for breakfast at 8:24 AM on December 21, 2007
Come on people now, smile on your brother
You wanna try to get this crowd to smile on each other?
Good luck.
posted by jason's_planet at 8:25 AM on December 21, 2007
You wanna try to get this crowd to smile on each other?
Good luck.
posted by jason's_planet at 8:25 AM on December 21, 2007
Those grins? Was it an actual grin, or that painful rictus women adopt when they're trying to exit a situation with a strange guy as fast as possible but are too scared to be violent towards him?
posted by robocop is bleeding at 8:36 AM on December 21, 2007
posted by robocop is bleeding at 8:36 AM on December 21, 2007
They need to have www.archive.org redirect to cortex's brain.
posted by dios at 8:42 AM on December 21, 2007
posted by dios at 8:42 AM on December 21, 2007
I wrote a Greesemonkey script that changes all instances of "meh" to "I need a hug" Works wonders.
posted by gwint at 8:54 AM on December 21, 2007
posted by gwint at 8:54 AM on December 21, 2007
tl;dr
posted by eyeballkid at 8:58 AM on December 21, 2007
posted by eyeballkid at 8:58 AM on December 21, 2007
MetaFiliter: (Yes, I know that would make a good tagline, you lazy hacks.)
posted by Chuckles at 9:07 AM on December 21, 2007 [1 favorite]
posted by Chuckles at 9:07 AM on December 21, 2007 [1 favorite]
Meh is old - its practically mehdieval
posted by criticalbill at 9:07 AM on December 21, 2007
posted by criticalbill at 9:07 AM on December 21, 2007
Metafilter: I hate everything you like that I don't
or, on preveiw: meh
posted by pupdog at 9:09 AM on December 21, 2007
or, on preveiw: meh
posted by pupdog at 9:09 AM on December 21, 2007
I'm going to the love-in to sit and play my bongos in the dirt.
posted by Meatbomb at 9:19 AM on December 21, 2007
posted by Meatbomb at 9:19 AM on December 21, 2007
I always thought "Meh" was a Todd Browning's Freaks reference, and the user was just expressing pinheadedness; I've avoided saying anything until now, for fear of being turned into that chicken bitch by the roly-poly dude.
So yeah, gabba gabba, keep using "Meh;" your water-headed babbling terrifies me.
posted by breezeway at 9:26 AM on December 21, 2007
So yeah, gabba gabba, keep using "Meh;" your water-headed babbling terrifies me.
posted by breezeway at 9:26 AM on December 21, 2007
I much prefer "Pff", which is the sort of noise of disdain you can imagine a particularly snooty Frenchman making.
posted by Artw at 9:31 AM on December 21, 2007
posted by Artw at 9:31 AM on December 21, 2007
I thought it was just another way to say "Eh." Like some sort of regional central Canadian accent thing. I had no idea it carried all this extra baggage. Damn. Canadians are way deep.
posted by tkchrist at 9:56 AM on December 21, 2007
posted by tkchrist at 9:56 AM on December 21, 2007
Anybody here remember if they like pancakes?
posted by and hosted from Uranus at 10:08 AM on December 21, 2007
posted by and hosted from Uranus at 10:08 AM on December 21, 2007
Somebody needs some mehthadone.
posted by Kirth Gerson at 10:39 AM on December 21, 2007
posted by Kirth Gerson at 10:39 AM on December 21, 2007
Or "Nthing ____." (If the answer was already given and you have nothing to add, why comment at all?)
Because sometimes it's helpful to know that more than one person agrees with the sentiment? No one sees me if I'm just nodding at my screen. Or shaking my fist. The "On preview" thing to me is more of a way of clarifying that one is in agreement with someone else, even though when you began typing the thing you wanted to say hadn't been said yet.
Do all of you who complain about posting styles complain in person about people's verbal communication styles as well? I'd be pretty bored here if people all wrote and spoke the same way.
posted by oneirodynia at 10:51 AM on December 21, 2007
Because sometimes it's helpful to know that more than one person agrees with the sentiment? No one sees me if I'm just nodding at my screen. Or shaking my fist. The "On preview" thing to me is more of a way of clarifying that one is in agreement with someone else, even though when you began typing the thing you wanted to say hadn't been said yet.
Do all of you who complain about posting styles complain in person about people's verbal communication styles as well? I'd be pretty bored here if people all wrote and spoke the same way.
posted by oneirodynia at 10:51 AM on December 21, 2007
Down with indifference! Down with indiff... ah, who cares.
posted by metric space at 10:56 AM on December 21, 2007
posted by metric space at 10:56 AM on December 21, 2007
oh, oh, oh, pet-peeve filter! My turn.
Someone posts:
[this is fun]
posted by KevinSkomsvold at 10:59 AM on December 21, 2007 [4 favorites]
Someone posts:
Fuck you, fuck this place, I wish you'd all die, how could you have said such a stupid-assed thing, shit, piss, fuck, etc.......And then five minutes later:
[Sheepishly] Aw gee I guess I should have had my morning coffee/heroin/beer/etc before I posted. Sorry! Forgiven?No, fuck YOU. Not having your beverage or drug of choice before posting does not excuse your being a dick. If you are a dick, own up to it, embrace it and wallow in your dickness. BE the dick. All will never be forgiven but it will be forgotten.
[this is fun]
posted by KevinSkomsvold at 10:59 AM on December 21, 2007 [4 favorites]
Sorry pmeasley, I meant to address your question. Yes, I don't get the whole "meh" thing either. Based on my internal testing, it takes six clicks and/or keystrokes to respond to a post with "meh." Thats six clicks I could better spend elsewhere like downloading porn or warez.
posted by KevinSkomsvold at 11:04 AM on December 21, 2007
posted by KevinSkomsvold at 11:04 AM on December 21, 2007
I heard Paw Pot was a motherfucker, too.
posted by breezeway at 11:15 AM on December 21, 2007 [1 favorite]
posted by breezeway at 11:15 AM on December 21, 2007 [1 favorite]
Well, at least it wasn't as bad as her other cat, Chairman Meow.
Or his brother Mousey Tongue.
posted by Pollomacho at 11:19 AM on December 21, 2007 [5 favorites]
Or his brother Mousey Tongue.
posted by Pollomacho at 11:19 AM on December 21, 2007 [5 favorites]
Whence "meh".
Thanks for the link, peacay. I missed that thread at the time.
posted by ArmyOfKittens at 11:34 AM on December 21, 2007
Thanks for the link, peacay. I missed that thread at the time.
posted by ArmyOfKittens at 11:34 AM on December 21, 2007
I recommend "safe as houses and dull as ditchwater."
posted by grumblebee at 11:34 AM on December 21, 2007
posted by grumblebee at 11:34 AM on December 21, 2007
No, fuck YOU. Not having your beverage or drug of choice before posting does not excuse your being a dick. If you are a dick, own up to it, embrace it and wallow in your dickness. BE the dick. All will never be forgiven but it will be forgotten.
That's always been my MeFi philosophy.
Fucker.
posted by eyeballkid at 11:41 AM on December 21, 2007
That's always been my MeFi philosophy.
Fucker.
posted by eyeballkid at 11:41 AM on December 21, 2007
We have two cats. My boyfriend was in charge of naming the second cat. He chose the name Chairman Meow. I still don't know how I feel about this.
We call him Commie for short, though.
posted by Ms. Saint at 11:47 AM on December 21, 2007 [3 favorites]
We call him Commie for short, though.
posted by Ms. Saint at 11:47 AM on December 21, 2007 [3 favorites]
Oh god, please don't let this begin. Pinocat, Meowšević, Catigula, Kitty Amin.
Somebody please take away my computer.
posted by tangerine at 12:24 PM on December 21, 2007 [5 favorites]
Somebody please take away my computer.
posted by tangerine at 12:24 PM on December 21, 2007 [5 favorites]
MEH!
posted by Happy Dave at 12:39 PM on December 21, 2007
posted by Happy Dave at 12:39 PM on December 21, 2007
Sorry, KITLER.
posted by grapefruitmoon at 1:26 PM on December 21, 2007
posted by grapefruitmoon at 1:26 PM on December 21, 2007
My boyfriend wouldn't let me name our cat Chairman Meow.
But speaking of kittens, I will, however, put forth kittens for breakfast's fantastic and frequently-used-in-real-life saying on the table as on option:
"Gah!"
(used to express horror or shock, much as one uses "meh" for indifference or boredom).
posted by bitter-girl.com at 2:02 PM on December 21, 2007
But speaking of kittens, I will, however, put forth kittens for breakfast's fantastic and frequently-used-in-real-life saying on the table as on option:
"Gah!"
(used to express horror or shock, much as one uses "meh" for indifference or boredom).
posted by bitter-girl.com at 2:02 PM on December 21, 2007
I recommend "safe as houses and dull as ditchwater."
Funny. Moms always said, "dull as dishwater". Though, in her Hobokenese it sounds more like "dish-wawwwtah".
posted by psmealey at 2:15 PM on December 21, 2007
Funny. Moms always said, "dull as dishwater". Though, in her Hobokenese it sounds more like "dish-wawwwtah".
posted by psmealey at 2:15 PM on December 21, 2007
You posted a MetaTalk thread about this?!
posted by loquacious at 2:21 PM on December 21, 2007
posted by loquacious at 2:21 PM on December 21, 2007
Or, as my grandmother would say, "about this you posted a MetaTalk thread?"
posted by cortex (staff) at 2:24 PM on December 21, 2007
posted by cortex (staff) at 2:24 PM on December 21, 2007
You posted a MetaTalk thread about this?!
Yes. Yes, I did.
posted by psmealey at 2:28 PM on December 21, 2007
Yes. Yes, I did.
posted by psmealey at 2:28 PM on December 21, 2007
Meh.
posted by loquacious at 2:41 PM on December 21, 2007
posted by loquacious at 2:41 PM on December 21, 2007
(runs off to register mehtafilter.com)
posted by the dief
Errr, if you are sitting at a computer, connected to the internet, and then you "run off" to register a domain, you are doing it wrong.
posted by The Deej at 4:14 PM on December 21, 2007 [1 favorite]
posted by the dief
Errr, if you are sitting at a computer, connected to the internet, and then you "run off" to register a domain, you are doing it wrong.
posted by The Deej at 4:14 PM on December 21, 2007 [1 favorite]
My boyfriend wouldn't let me name our cat Chairman Meow.
You should definitely stick with that guy.
posted by flapjax at midnite at 4:46 PM on December 21, 2007 [1 favorite]
You should definitely stick with that guy.
posted by flapjax at midnite at 4:46 PM on December 21, 2007 [1 favorite]
if you outlaw meh, only outlaws will have meh.
on preview: bleh.
posted by Dillonlikescookies at 4:57 PM on December 21, 2007
on preview: bleh.
posted by Dillonlikescookies at 4:57 PM on December 21, 2007
Everyone needs a hug, or bacon. Or something.
posted by Devils Rancher at 5:31 PM on December 21, 2007
posted by Devils Rancher at 5:31 PM on December 21, 2007
You people are creeping me out. Please tell me today's Cat and Girl isn't a coincidence?
Hint: Furranco!
posted by A dead Quaker at 7:42 PM on December 21, 2007
Hint: Furranco!
posted by A dead Quaker at 7:42 PM on December 21, 2007
I propose we all kick it old-school alt.folklore.urban USENET style in 2008 with lots of "furrfu"s
That's "zru."
posted by octobersurprise at 7:56 PM on December 21, 2007
That's "zru."
posted by octobersurprise at 7:56 PM on December 21, 2007
Single word alternatives. Branch out! Express!
Ack!
Argh.
Blargh...
Bah!
Blecch.
Caw!
Cor!
Doh!
Eck.
Eek!
eep!
Faugh!
Feh.
Fnord.
Gah!
Haaaaa.
Hey-o!
Ick.
Jam!
Meh.
nah...
Nast.
Naw.
Oof.
Oooooooh!
oopth.
oh.
Pff!
Sss-sss-sss...
Tchkch!
Ugh.
uh...
Um...
Voip!
Weak.
woot.
Well...
*Yawn*
Zounds.
posted by Ambrosia Voyeur at 8:23 PM on December 21, 2007
Ack!
Argh.
Blargh...
Bah!
Blecch.
Caw!
Cor!
Doh!
Eck.
Eek!
eep!
Faugh!
Feh.
Fnord.
Gah!
Haaaaa.
Hey-o!
Ick.
Jam!
Meh.
nah...
Nast.
Naw.
Oof.
Oooooooh!
oopth.
oh.
Pff!
Sss-sss-sss...
Tchkch!
Ugh.
uh...
Um...
Voip!
Weak.
woot.
Well...
*Yawn*
Zounds.
posted by Ambrosia Voyeur at 8:23 PM on December 21, 2007
Hrm.
posted by loquacious at 10:12 PM on December 21, 2007
posted by loquacious at 10:12 PM on December 21, 2007
I have an opinion on this issue and I feel strongly about it.
posted by fleacircus at 12:08 AM on December 22, 2007
posted by fleacircus at 12:08 AM on December 22, 2007
Harumph.
posted by Astro Zombie at 12:17 AM on December 22, 2007
posted by Astro Zombie at 12:17 AM on December 22, 2007
Erp. Oh, and yay and lol and squee (just to offer a bit of contrariness to the occasion).
posted by h00py at 1:04 AM on December 22, 2007
posted by h00py at 1:04 AM on December 22, 2007
I regularly use about 20 of the exclamations in A.V.'s list. Ack!
posted by ooga_booga at 1:35 AM on December 22, 2007
posted by ooga_booga at 1:35 AM on December 22, 2007
(Not that I use yay, lol and squee unironically, of course).
posted by h00py at 2:35 AM on December 22, 2007
posted by h00py at 2:35 AM on December 22, 2007
pro-mehs can't muster the will to defend it. There are 89 of us here.
posted by ersatz at 7:55 AM on December 22, 2007
posted by ersatz at 7:55 AM on December 22, 2007
It's a regular Meh-th lab around here.
posted by The Bellman at 1:53 PM on December 22, 2007
posted by The Bellman at 1:53 PM on December 22, 2007
In case your holiday shopping is not done, thinkgeek has the meh t-shirt.
posted by shothotbot at 2:43 PM on December 22, 2007
posted by shothotbot at 2:43 PM on December 22, 2007
With the IMG tag gone, there is no reason to keep this thread open.
posted by scarabic at 9:03 PM on December 22, 2007
posted by scarabic at 9:03 PM on December 22, 2007
Eva launch!
posted by oxford blue at 6:11 PM on December 24, 2007
posted by oxford blue at 6:11 PM on December 24, 2007
huh. Being inherently waggy tailed by nature I never understood mehtality until I came here.
Adore your brilliant and meh transcendent comment robocop is bleeding.
posted by nickyskye at 3:41 PM on December 26, 2007
Adore your brilliant and meh transcendent comment robocop is bleeding.
posted by nickyskye at 3:41 PM on December 26, 2007
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posted by Brandon Blatcher at 3:43 AM on December 21, 2007 [3 favorites]