Publisher HarperCollins announced Monday it has chosen the word "meh" to include in its dictionary’s 30th anniversary edition to be published next year.  The dictionary defines "meh" as an expression of indifference or boredom, or an adjective meaning mediocre or boring.  As an example, the dictionary states "the Canadian election was so meh."

BartLisaSimpson The true origin of "meh" is unknown, but the term became a pop-culture sensation starting with 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.  The Simpsons revisited the word again in a 2004 episode "Hungry Hungry Homer":

The show opens with a commercial for Blockoland, the park where everything is made of Blocko Brand(tm) Assembly Fun Blocks.  Homer is hooked, despite the fact that even the park-goers in the commercial seem un-enthused.

Homer: Kids, how would you like to go to … Blockoland!
Bart & Lisa: Meh.
Homer: But the TV gave me the impression that —
Bart: We said, "Meh!"
Lisa: M-e-h, meh.

imageThe dictionary’s authors 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.’ "

HarperCollins selected "meh" 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.

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