Meh.

According to Yahoo News, “meh” has just been added to the Collins English Dictionary. I support this.

You know, I do have to wonder about the usefulness of adding colloquial language to dictionaries if that particular colloquial phrase is merely a trendy, faddish kinda thing. It’s not like I go around saying that so and so is the bee’s knees or anything. (Okay, I’ll admit to using supposedly “outdated” phrases like that just for fun at times, but as a predominant form of communication? No.)

So, will “meh” actually make it to the stature that other words such as “cool” have? Of course, I don’t know for sure, but I’d say yeah. Even if it doesn’t remain “meh” specifically, but transforms into “eh” or “uh” or something like that, it’s still a form of common communication that’s being used more and more readily. It’s often instantly understood too. Even without having a specific definition in some fancy British dictionary, the gist of the meaning is understood. It just works well.

Even I’ve been susceptible to its influences:

facebook status update

facebook status update

Oh, yeah. For Realz.

I mean, I could try to properly describe the kind of ambivalence and indifference that I was feeling, but “meh,” to me, is more of an expression of that indifference rather than a description of that same feeling. Ya feel me? “Meh” is like the actual tear, whereas saying “Kaitlin is indifferent” is like the word “crying.” Prospective readers understand so much about my particular state with just that one word without me going on and on about it.

Perfecto.

So, yeah. It deserves to be in the dictionary. And that’s not so “meh.”

Break.ing the Ru!es

Language Log has an interesting post on periods, that is if you find punctuation interesting. I can. I’ll admit it. And if you’d like a pretty cool book on the subject, then I’d recommend Lynne Truss’ Eats, Shoots & Leaves. Hey, it’s got spunk.

Anyway, my stance on grammar is this. Grammar is meant to be utilized as a basis for us to understand each other. When that meaning gets muddled because the structure is crap, then correct grammar and punctuation would be beneficial, but if the meaning is still comprehensible even with supposed punctuation “mistakes,” then I’m pretty okay with it. Now, I won’t go so far as to say that I’m completely on board or anything. There are things that would stick out to me. It’s pretty hard for it not to with my background, but if grammar rules are broken for stylistic purposes and the meaning is still comprehensible, then cool. Lay your meaning on me.