Latest word added to Collins English Dictionary is from 'The Simpsons'

By Staff
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Google Oneindia News

London, Nov 17 : The Collins English Dictionary has a new word added to its list, and its origin is from the American animated sitcom The Simpsons.

The new word, Meh, which Lisa Simpson spelled out M-E-H for Homer, has been added, and it suggests a lack of enthusiasm, of being unimpressed, mediocre or boring.

The word was chosen as the public's entry for the 30th anniversary edition of Collins English Dictionary, which will be published in 2009, as it is being used frequently in today's English.

Meh was submitted by Erin Whyte from Nottingham who defined it as "an expression of utter boredom or an indication of how little you care for an idea".

The dictionary entry says meh can be used as an interjection to suggest indifference or boredom or as an adjective to say something is mediocre or boring or a person is apathetic, bored or unimpressed.

The word originated in the US and Canada, is widely used on the internet, and is currently appearing in British spoken English as well as in the print media.

"This is a new interjection from the US that seems to have inveigled its way into common speech over here," the Telegraph quoted Cormac McKeown, head of content at Collins Dictionaries, as saying.

"It was actually spelled out in The Simpsons when Homer is trying to prise the kids away from the TV with a suggestion for a day trip.

"They both just reply 'meh' and keep watching TV; he asks again and Lisa says 'We said MEH! - M-E-H, meh!'

"It's now so deeply entrenched on the net that it's also become an adjective, meaning mediocre and also bored.

"Internet forums and email are playing a big part in formalising the spellings of vocal interjections like these. A couple of other examples would be hmm and heh, which are both now ubiquitous online and in emails.

"It shows people are increasingly writing in a register somewhere in between spoken and written English," he added.

ANI

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