Comments on: John Hodgman explains what's wrong with "Meh" http://boingboing.net/2009/02/24/john-hodgman-explain.html Brain candy for Happy Mutants Fri, 24 May 2013 13:23:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.4.1 By: chinobis http://boingboing.net/2009/02/24/john-hodgman-explain.html#comment-421382 chinobis Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-421382 "Meh" has been a life-saver for me. As i find it really hard to type sms messages on my (rather antique) mobile, i slowly began replacing long sentences with a simple "meh". Although it initially confused my dudes, they have now adopted it for their own use as well. So now we exchange a lot of "mehs" back and forth, but the word is so freakingly nuanced there's absolutely no communication breakdown at all. "meh" should have been invented along time ago. Imagine all those long historical speeches and essays replaced by a single "meh". Heck i'm now sure that "meh" was the word uttered by God when he created this (wonderfull) mess we call universe. “Meh” has been a life-saver for me. As i find it really hard to type sms messages on my (rather antique) mobile, i slowly began replacing long sentences with a simple “meh”. Although it initially confused my dudes, they have now adopted it for their own use as well. So now we exchange a lot of “mehs” back and forth, but the word is so freakingly nuanced there’s absolutely no communication breakdown at all. “meh” should have been invented along time ago. Imagine all those long historical speeches and essays replaced by a single “meh”. Heck i’m now sure that “meh” was the word uttered by God when he created this (wonderfull) mess we call universe.

]]> By: Zieroh Tardy http://boingboing.net/2009/02/24/john-hodgman-explain.html#comment-421383 Zieroh Tardy Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-421383 Proof that Hodgman doesn't actually get it. As if we needed more proof. Proof that Hodgman doesn’t actually get it.

As if we needed more proof.

]]> By: Daemon http://boingboing.net/2009/02/24/john-hodgman-explain.html#comment-421133 Daemon Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-421133 pshah! pshah!

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2009/02/24/john-hodgman-explain.html#comment-420887 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-420887 this hodgman post was particularly mehnormous. this hodgman post was particularly mehnormous.

]]> By: AirPillo http://boingboing.net/2009/02/24/john-hodgman-explain.html#comment-421145 AirPillo Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-421145 You can use "meh" to good effect in conversations, though. For instance, when you're not particularly interested in a subject or a question but it would be rude to just be silent to the point of ignoring the other person. Also as a declarative statement of ambivalence in response to a specific question. You can use “meh” to good effect in conversations, though. For instance, when you’re not particularly interested in a subject or a question but it would be rude to just be silent to the point of ignoring the other person.

Also as a declarative statement of ambivalence in response to a specific question.

]]> By: cinemajay http://boingboing.net/2009/02/24/john-hodgman-explain.html#comment-549668 cinemajay Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-549668 @34, Fame for people who enliven the culture and acutally have something to say for it doesn't last 15. It lasts as longs as they do. /jealous? @34, Fame for people who enliven the culture and acutally have something to say for it doesn’t last 15. It lasts as longs as they do.

/jealous?

]]> By: Strophe http://boingboing.net/2009/02/24/john-hodgman-explain.html#comment-420648 Strophe Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-420648 Totally agree. Wait for it....... Totally agree.

Wait for it…….

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2009/02/24/john-hodgman-explain.html#comment-426280 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-426280 "Meh" communicates a response of uninspired disinterest. Not posting a response leaves open the probability that your post has not been read. Of course it doesn't work using doctrines of communications established for verbal communication, because verbal communication can't be easily ignored. The first thing you learn as you acclimate to online communication is that a lack of responses does not mean the same thing as silence addressed at you means IRL. On BBS with large post:thread ratios, it serves the dual purpose to keep the item in conversation by bumping it to the frontpage, in front of the "Let's play the 10,000 post forum game" post. Explained to me by several adena farmers in Lineage 2: You're seeing QQ in MMORPGs because the symbols resemble the Chinese symbols for "Xie xie", or "thanks". “Meh” communicates a response of uninspired disinterest. Not posting a response leaves open the probability that your post has not been read. Of course it doesn’t work using doctrines of communications established for verbal communication, because verbal communication can’t be easily ignored. The first thing you learn as you acclimate to online communication is that a lack of responses does not mean the same thing as silence addressed at you means IRL. On BBS with large post:thread ratios, it serves the dual purpose to keep the item in conversation by bumping it to the frontpage, in front of the “Let’s play the 10,000 post forum game” post.

Explained to me by several adena farmers in Lineage 2: You’re seeing QQ in MMORPGs because the symbols resemble the Chinese symbols for “Xie xie”, or “thanks”.

]]> By: Jerril http://boingboing.net/2009/02/24/john-hodgman-explain.html#comment-420905 Jerril Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-420905 #53, 54 - It's an emoticon from the Korean school of emoticons - Americans use side-turned emoticons that focus on the expressions of the mouth, Koreans use upright emoticons that focus on the expressions around the eyes. I'm sure these apply outside the American and Korean cultures, but in this case, I'm pretty sure it comes to Blizzard gamers through the Starcraft gamers in Korea. QQ is open eyes with tears streaming out while TT or T_T is squeezed shut eyes with tears streaming out, ^^ or ^_^ is smiling, -_- is sleeping or unimpressed, >.> and <.< is looking shifty (side to side), @_@ is eyes spinning with confusion or surprise, etc. They make more sense if you're familiar with manga and anime convention, I'm sure. #53, 54 – It’s an emoticon from the Korean school of emoticons – Americans use side-turned emoticons that focus on the expressions of the mouth, Koreans use upright emoticons that focus on the expressions around the eyes.

I’m sure these apply outside the American and Korean cultures, but in this case, I’m pretty sure it comes to Blizzard gamers through the Starcraft gamers in Korea.

QQ is open eyes with tears streaming out while TT or T_T is squeezed shut eyes with tears streaming out, ^^ or ^_^ is smiling, -_- is sleeping or unimpressed, >.> and <.< is looking shifty (side to side), @_@ is eyes spinning with confusion or surprise, etc.

They make more sense if you’re familiar with manga and anime convention, I’m sure.

]]> By: Xeni Jardin http://boingboing.net/2009/02/24/john-hodgman-explain.html#comment-420656 Xeni Jardin Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-420656 MEH!!!! MEH!!!!

]]> By: nosehat http://boingboing.net/2009/02/24/john-hodgman-explain.html#comment-421168 nosehat Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-421168 I've had a love-hate relationship with "meh", but at this time I'm right with Hodgman on this. At first I loved it, because it seemed a wonderful shield to the rising tide of mediocrity all around me: "ZOMG! [Insert your least favorite, bad, over-hyped, entertainment product here] IS THE MOST AWEZOME, COOLEST, CUTEST, MOST MEANINGFUL THING EVARRRR!!!" "meh" See? You can dismiss someone entirely, without getting yourself riled up going to the trouble to explain to them, point by point, why they are stupid. Very useful indeed. But look at the exchange again. Essentially, the first person is saying "I am very excited and passionate about something," and the second person is responding "I am not. Indeed, I find it lame to be passionate about things like this, and much cooler to find things boring." "I just built a robot to shuffle cards!" "meh" "I just learned the national anthem to all the African countries!" "meh" "I just recorded a country music song!" "meh" See the problem? Maybe you aren't interested in or passionate about any of these particular things, but what's wrong with someone else finding passion in something? Why go out of your way to point out that you <i>don't</i> appreciate something? Wouldn't that time be better spent pursuing something that you <i>are</i> passionate about? More and more, "meh" seems like a kind of giving up on life to me. And life's to short...etc. I’ve had a love-hate relationship with “meh”, but at this time I’m right with Hodgman on this.

At first I loved it, because it seemed a wonderful shield to the rising tide of mediocrity all around me:

“ZOMG! [Insert your least favorite, bad, over-hyped, entertainment product here] IS THE MOST AWEZOME, COOLEST, CUTEST, MOST MEANINGFUL THING EVARRRR!!!”

“meh”

See? You can dismiss someone entirely, without getting yourself riled up going to the trouble to explain to them, point by point, why they are stupid. Very useful indeed.

But look at the exchange again. Essentially, the first person is saying “I am very excited and passionate about something,” and the second person is responding “I am not. Indeed, I find it lame to be passionate about things like this, and much cooler to find things boring.”

“I just built a robot to shuffle cards!”
“meh”

“I just learned the national anthem to all the African countries!”
“meh”

“I just recorded a country music song!”
“meh”

See the problem? Maybe you aren’t interested in or passionate about any of these particular things, but what’s wrong with someone else finding passion in something? Why go out of your way to point out that you don’t appreciate something? Wouldn’t that time be better spent pursuing something that you are passionate about?

More and more, “meh” seems like a kind of giving up on life to me. And life’s to short…etc.

]]> By: Pharmakos http://boingboing.net/2009/02/24/john-hodgman-explain.html#comment-421425 Pharmakos Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-421425 In essence, Hodgman said "meh" to "meh," using a lot of additional and unnecessary words, and then everyone Twittered back and replied here saying, in far too many words, "meh." In essence, Hodgman said “meh” to “meh,” using a lot of additional and unnecessary words, and then everyone Twittered back and replied here saying, in far too many words, “meh.”

]]> By: buddy66 http://boingboing.net/2009/02/24/john-hodgman-explain.html#comment-421170 buddy66 Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-421170 Just as *whom* is meant to make us all sound like English butlers, so *meh* is meant to make us all sound like Jewish grandmothers. Just as *whom* is meant to make us all sound like English butlers, so *meh* is meant to make us all sound like Jewish grandmothers.

]]> By: Wingo http://boingboing.net/2009/02/24/john-hodgman-explain.html#comment-420660 Wingo Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-420660 You gotta love The Hodge. His piece on the latest installment of This American Life about the "Cuervo Party Guy" is super awesome. Also, what about this: *shrug* You gotta love The Hodge. His piece on the latest installment of This American Life about the “Cuervo Party Guy” is super awesome.

Also, what about this: *shrug*

]]> By: Robert http://boingboing.net/2009/02/24/john-hodgman-explain.html#comment-420916 Robert Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-420916 Luckily, my first exposure to "meh" was in the form of lolcatspeak, meaning "me". Also, my cat says "meh" all the time. "Who wants cat foods?" "Meh!" Luckily, my first exposure to “meh” was in the form of lolcatspeak, meaning “me”. Also, my cat says “meh” all the time. “Who wants cat foods?” “Meh!”

]]> By: treacle http://boingboing.net/2009/02/24/john-hodgman-explain.html#comment-421685 treacle Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-421685 I think 'meh' is being used in wider ways than J. Hodgman is currently aware. It's quite the useful piece of syntax, and fills a space the doesn't currently have a word in American English. For example: "I'm going to redecorate the kitchen.... meh?" I think ‘meh’ is being used in wider ways than J. Hodgman is currently aware. It’s quite the useful piece of syntax, and fills a space the doesn’t currently have a word in American English.

For example: “I’m going to redecorate the kitchen…. meh?”

]]> By: Strophe http://boingboing.net/2009/02/24/john-hodgman-explain.html#comment-420662 Strophe Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-420662 Totally agree. Wait for it....... Totally agree.

Wait for it…….

]]> By: Jerril http://boingboing.net/2009/02/24/john-hodgman-explain.html#comment-420918 Jerril Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-420918 My <.< and the rest of the line got eaten by HTML! The missing line is ">.> and <.< are eyes looking shifty (left to right, or sidelong), etc." My <.< and the rest of the line got eaten by HTML! The missing line is

“>.> and <.< are eyes looking shifty (left to right, or sidelong), etc.”

]]> By: fataltourist http://boingboing.net/2009/02/24/john-hodgman-explain.html#comment-420922 fataltourist Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-420922 Buh. Buh.

]]> By: Shane http://boingboing.net/2009/02/24/john-hodgman-explain.html#comment-420923 Shane Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-420923 oh waaah! oh waaah!

]]> By: GregLondon http://boingboing.net/2009/02/24/john-hodgman-explain.html#comment-420668 GregLondon Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-420668 meh meh

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2009/02/24/john-hodgman-explain.html#comment-420669 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-420669 We are the knights who say... MEH! We are the knights who say…
MEH!

]]> By: Strophe http://boingboing.net/2009/02/24/john-hodgman-explain.html#comment-420674 Strophe Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-420674 @2 Xeni There it is! I feel better now that <em>that's</em> done. (Side note: that was easily the most energetic, spirited expression of nonchalance I've ever seen! +1 Internets) @3 Wingo The Hodge's Ted Talk laying out his reasons for the existence of aliens was outstanding, too. @2 Xeni

There it is! I feel better now that that’s done.

(Side note: that was easily the most energetic, spirited expression of nonchalance I’ve ever seen! +1 Internets)

@3 Wingo

The Hodge’s Ted Talk laying out his reasons for the existence of aliens was outstanding, too.

]]> By: NidSquid http://boingboing.net/2009/02/24/john-hodgman-explain.html#comment-420676 NidSquid Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-420676 meh too. meh too.

]]> By: 5000! http://boingboing.net/2009/02/24/john-hodgman-explain.html#comment-420677 5000! Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-420677 Hallelujah! I've been ruminating over my own anti "meh" diatribe for a long time, but I'm relieved instead to see a writer of superior skill tackle it with such razor wit. Hallelujah! I’ve been ruminating over my own anti “meh” diatribe for a long time, but I’m relieved instead to see a writer of superior skill tackle it with such razor wit.

]]> By: HurfDurf http://boingboing.net/2009/02/24/john-hodgman-explain.html#comment-420934 HurfDurf Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-420934 I don't think I've ever responded "Meh" to anything, but in place of this, I would love if people posted literally the words, "joyless, nitpicky swipe" instead. I am a huge fan of literalism. I don’t think I’ve ever responded “Meh” to anything, but in place of this, I would love if people posted literally the words, “joyless, nitpicky swipe” instead.
I am a huge fan of literalism.

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2009/02/24/john-hodgman-explain.html#comment-420679 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-420679 Meh is neither odious nor internet jargon. It came from a Simpsons episode! http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meh Meh is neither odious nor internet jargon. It came from a Simpsons episode!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meh

]]> By: Made in DNA http://boingboing.net/2009/02/24/john-hodgman-explain.html#comment-421191 Made in DNA Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-421191 Who is John Hodgman, and why should I give a meh what he thinks in 140 characters or otherwise? Who is John Hodgman, and why should I give a meh what he thinks in 140 characters or otherwise?

]]> By: ryane http://boingboing.net/2009/02/24/john-hodgman-explain.html#comment-420682 ryane Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-420682 Meh is just a derivative of blah, which served the same purpose on BBS' of old. and Twitter is just a wall thats been ported from MBBS. Meh is just a derivative of blah, which served the same purpose on BBS’ of old.

and Twitter is just a wall thats been ported from MBBS.

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2009/02/24/john-hodgman-explain.html#comment-821067 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-821067 No one even SAYS 'meh' when speaking. We SAY 'eh.' Meh bugs me just as much as 'woot'---come on people, it's 'wooh!'...ugh. No one even SAYS ‘meh’ when speaking. We SAY ‘eh.’ Meh bugs me just as much as ‘woot’—come on people, it’s ‘wooh!’…ugh.

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