Great news for the passive-agressive community

[L-A]

It was about time.

Nothing to get excited about: The indifferent 'meh' gains place in English dictionary

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.

I especially like the Canadian election as an example

[Relic]

meh...

[SuperDuck]

Futurama, in which Fry sees a booth for the "Apathy Party", a political organization:

Fry: "Now here's a party I can get excited about. Sign me up!"
Apathy Party Rep: "Sorry, not with that attitude."
Fry: "Ok, then screw it."
Apathy Party Rep: "Welcome aboard, brother!"
Fry: "Alright!"
Apathy Party Rep: "You're out."

[BruisedOoze]

I remember ages ago trying to figure out with some friends where this came from. We used it in University in 98 (as first year undergrads), and I recall irritating my mother with the word because she didn't know what it meant. I guess telling her "Meh means meh" did not help the situation...

[Relic]

When I was a kid, I remember my grandmom using that word. I'm talking back in the 1970's.
She couldn't speak a lick of English, but a quick shrug of the shoulders and a drawn out "meh..." always meant the same thing.

[Benjamin Strange]

Meh... wake me up when the add "gah".

[Asa Samuel]

Hahh, Whats next on the list? Noob?

[dave64o]

Originally Posted by Bass Junkie

Hahh, Whats next on the list? Noob?

That would be pathetic, but to make the travesty complete they'd have to spell it n00b.

[Asa Samuel]

Originally Posted by dave64o

That would be pathetic, but to make the travesty complete they'd have to spell it n00b.

Hell, they might even add 'pwn'

[Bob Lee (QSC)]

I always thought "meh" had Yiddish origins, but I may be wrong.

[Valerus]

I support meh.

[thefruitfarmer]

Meh

[flipper_gv]

Canada election seemed boring because there was the American one at the same time.