'Meh' and you: Words we learned from pop culture

miuterl vmdwah Sat, Jan 10, 2009 at 08:39 AM EST

exvwh rgaum zsnbio osmwy qdwfkrxu jlmzscw owhpek

Flistea Fri, Nov 21, 2008 at 04:11 AM EST

People probably have been using the word meh for a lot longer but it needs hard evidence -such as usage on film, tv or radio or in print- for dictionary definition. Check out http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/programmes/wordhunt/ - if you have evidence why not get in touch?

Ames Thu, Nov 20, 2008 at 11:07 PM EST

My highschool boyfriend said "meh" all the time more than 10 years before 2001. It's infectious since you say it when you can't think of any good comeback, which unfortunately happens quite often.

I hate to admit it, but my most common TV phrases are from TNG: such as "engage" and "warp speed". I may have even referred to someone as "fully functional."

Nix Thu, Nov 20, 2008 at 08:43 PM EST

I could have sworn Joel McCrea said "frickin'" in Sullivan's Travels (1941).

Diana Thu, Nov 20, 2008 at 08:37 PM EST

To continue on the Grey's Anatomy lingo, "va-jay-jay".

B Ro Thu, Nov 20, 2008 at 07:55 PM EST

This list is craptacular.
"Use the open faced club, Homer, the sand wedge"
"Mmm...open faced club sandwedge."

kim in kentucky Thu, Nov 20, 2008 at 07:17 PM EST

how about "frick" - from SCRUBS ??

mjade27 Thu, Nov 20, 2008 at 07:06 PM EST

Thanks to those who corrected the spelling on "Blerg." That was really bothering me. That being said - tough call between Frak and Blerg. Both are so very deserving.

Adam Thu, Nov 20, 2008 at 06:46 PM EST

I have to take issue with your spelling of "Blurg". If you go back to the 30 Rock episodes where it is referenced, you will note that it is in fact spelled Blerg. Thus endeth the lesson.

matty Thu, Nov 20, 2008 at 05:55 PM EST

I vote for the episode of Buffy in which she calls Spike "shirty."

Rob Grizzly Thu, Nov 20, 2008 at 05:17 PM EST

This doesn't make sense. People used the expression "Meh" long before 2001.

and OMFG for Gossip Girl? AYFC?
(R U F'n Crazy?)

But how about the term 'smackdown?' Dwane "The Rock" Johnson invented that word back in his wrestling glory days (circa 1998) and was the first and only one using it for a little while before it caught on in other media.

No one likes Kim Thu, Nov 20, 2008 at 04:45 PM EST

Stop the press! Kim invented Meh, not lisa and bart... sorry kim, let me grab you a OMFG throne. Oh wait a minute, I think Weird Al used that phrase in a video before Gossip Girl aired, so let me grab you a Weird Al seat cushion to on that throne.

SerenityBlue Thu, Nov 20, 2008 at 04:42 PM EST

Frak!

That word has been a part of my vocabulary since I was about 8, thanks to the original Battlestar Galactica. It definitely belongs in the dictionary.

Emily Thu, Nov 20, 2008 at 04:36 PM EST

I'm in agreement with kb. "Frick" definitely outshines "Frack", especially when delivered by Elliot on "Scrubs"!

Stephen Thu, Nov 20, 2008 at 04:23 PM EST

Looks like this whole 'meh' thing is a big marketing campaign for Fox and HarperCollins. I posted about it here - http://www.wallstreetfighter.com/2008/11/the-meh-conspiracy-theory.html

Jelana Thu, Nov 20, 2008 at 04:02 PM EST

Sorry, a few other of you mentioned the OMFG as well. Shows how ticked I am. I mean, really, OMFG!

Jelana Thu, Nov 20, 2008 at 04:01 PM EST

Mike, I'm with you on the OMFG thing. I was using that for a long time before it was co-opted by the Gossip Girl crowd. I don't watch GG, so this pisses me off.

Snarf Thu, Nov 20, 2008 at 03:44 PM EST

Best use of a pop culture phrase was an ep of Buffy where she told Giles not to "Scully" her referring to the X-files more pragmatic charecter.

simpsonian Thu, Nov 20, 2008 at 03:34 PM EST

We should just chuck out the old Webster's dictionary and start using the Simpsons as a dictionary. Seriously, I use "Avoision" (thank you Kent Brockman) all the time. And to whoever mentioned "cromulent": oh yes, that word definitely embiggens the vocabulary.

Laura M. Thu, Nov 20, 2008 at 03:29 PM EST

Is "Scrumtrulescent" in the dictionary yet? Because I definitely vote for that!

Zawmer Thu, Nov 20, 2008 at 03:23 PM EST

Wasn't it in 30 Rock also that Liz referred to throwing up as "blorching"? I like that even better than "blurg". But maybe that had been around before and I hadn't caught it...

cajunsblues Thu, Nov 20, 2008 at 03:22 PM EST

well at least there is no word from "twilight" in this poll.

The EW people are slipping

Nick Thu, Nov 20, 2008 at 03:11 PM EST

Hey EW... you forgot to mention TRUTHINESS (Colbert Report).

Kathleen Thu, Nov 20, 2008 at 02:42 PM EST

I'm a big fan of "frick." "Shiny," from Firefly, which I know was already a word, but you know. And - this is a weird one - "scrumtrulescent" from Will Ferrell's James Lipton impersonation.

And I voted for "frak," because BSG is . . . scrumtrulescent.

mike Thu, Nov 20, 2008 at 02:20 PM EST

OMFG predates Gossip Girl by at least 4 or 5 years. Seriously EW writers, is there some sort minimal-research-ability test you have to fail before they hire you?

Sara Thu, Nov 20, 2008 at 02:12 PM EST

It's not "blurg". It's "blёrg". See picture: http://images1. fanpop.com/images /image_uploads /Blerg-30-rock-1152868_625_350.jpg

Jennifer Thu, Nov 20, 2008 at 02:09 PM EST

As much as I love me some Blurgh, I say Frak wayyyyyyyy more often

Kim S Thu, Nov 20, 2008 at 02:06 PM EST

I have also added the Simpsonism "cromulent" to my vocab.

Cygnus Thu, Nov 20, 2008 at 02:02 PM EST

Also, on a side note, what is EW's obsession with bandwagonning certain shows, movies, and music? Ie. Twilight, Harry Potter, Lost, Gossip Girl, Entourage, Buffy, etc? I thought EW was an entertainment related magazine, not a "Watch this because we say so" magazine. How about a little more diversity across your reporting and writing. Finally, what genius picked Stephen King and Diablo Cody to be the voice of a generation? What generation would that be, baby boomers? 60's hippies? 70's disco freaks? They seem like they're more around for nostalgia than having anything applicable to say regarding entertainment in 2008.

Brian Thu, Nov 20, 2008 at 02:00 PM EST

Meh was used on The Simpsons waaaaaaay before 2001

Crim Thu, Nov 20, 2008 at 01:58 PM EST

I nominate "boink" (a verb meaning "to you-know-what"), which originated in a "Cheers" episode back in the 1980s.

Cygnus Thu, Nov 20, 2008 at 01:57 PM EST

Kim, something doesnt necessarily have to be popularized on TV to make it relevant to pop-culture. Besides, OMFG was popular way before Gossip Girl. Stop trying to justify your belief that Gossip Girl is on the cutting edge of pop-culture, because it was in their words, "sooooo 2007".

Cygnus Thu, Nov 20, 2008 at 01:55 PM EST

Yeah, some 19 year old twit writer prolly wrote this article, and they think the world began when Gossip Girl hit the airwaves. I clearly remember OMG and OMFG being around since the early days of the Internet ca 1994.

Kim Thu, Nov 20, 2008 at 01:52 PM EST

Gossip Girl popularized the term OMFG and is actually the only show I am aware of that uses the term out loud. Sure we see it in chat rooms but who cares about that? We're talking about TV shows that make certain words or expressions popular. And The Simpsons are just awesome for popularizing "meh". I've been using that since 2001. ;)

Patty Thu, Nov 20, 2008 at 01:50 PM EST

I have to admit that use some nonsense words created by The Simpsons. I say 'boo-urns' on a daily basis.

kb Thu, Nov 20, 2008 at 01:47 PM EST

umm, "frick" on "Scrubs" is way better than "frak."

MsDaisy Thu, Nov 20, 2008 at 01:45 PM EST

I voted for McDreamy just to be contrary.

Court Thu, Nov 20, 2008 at 01:31 PM EST

"OMFG" has been around at least as long as instant messaging. Lame.

Lauren Thu, Nov 20, 2008 at 01:21 PM EST

'OMFG' was not originated by Gossip Girl.