Now back in the 60s, our vocabulary showed a fine understanding of the Queen’s (not Freddy Mercury, RIP) English. Our additions to the language stayed with the language with words like “cool”, “Man”, and “hep”. You mean you don’t use hep daily?
If her father is so strict with her, why is she lounging that way in a restaurant – she must be in a restaurant because of the seating. But if they ARE in a restaurant, the waitress looks suspicious like the cook they employ in their home.
The nice thing about having a large vocabulary (by which I mean a large number of words available, not necessarily a number of large words) is that you’ve got a better chance of knowing a word which means precisely what you want to say. Of course, a word’s utility depends on your listener being familiar with it as well. (I don’t know whether you’d call this a symptom, since it is not itself undesireable, but a common trait amongst individuals with Asperger’s syndrome is a broad vocabulary; I suspect it’s related, for the reason I gave above, to their desire for precision and discomfort with ambiguity.)
Still, I think Cynthia’s “Meh” is neither lazy nor inarticulate; it’s merely economical. It expresses “I have no opinion on the prospect of swordfish for dinner. I’m utterly indifferent, but if I give no response at all you’ll prompt me further.” It may strike adults’ ears as rude or uncommunicative, but among her peers it would be understood with its intended emotional load.
(By the way, that Consuela is shown bringing an entire dead swordfish into the living room as she poses her question cracks me up.)
Thank you, Fritzoid, for pointing out the swordfish. I had somehow managed to miss it entirely. If it had been in the room with me I would have walked right into its big stabby nose.(And nice one, Zulamon.)
Hillbillyman about 13 years ago
It’s that ’What Ever" catch phrase that drives me up the wall.
lewisbower about 13 years ago
Now back in the 60s, our vocabulary showed a fine understanding of the Queen’s (not Freddy Mercury, RIP) English. Our additions to the language stayed with the language with words like “cool”, “Man”, and “hep”. You mean you don’t use hep daily?
arye uygur about 13 years ago
If her father is so strict with her, why is she lounging that way in a restaurant – she must be in a restaurant because of the seating. But if they ARE in a restaurant, the waitress looks suspicious like the cook they employ in their home.
arye uygur about 13 years ago
My bad: they must be sitting on their couch at home.
Comic Minister Premium Member about 13 years ago
Oooh Swardfish!
fritzoid Premium Member about 13 years ago
The nice thing about having a large vocabulary (by which I mean a large number of words available, not necessarily a number of large words) is that you’ve got a better chance of knowing a word which means precisely what you want to say. Of course, a word’s utility depends on your listener being familiar with it as well. (I don’t know whether you’d call this a symptom, since it is not itself undesireable, but a common trait amongst individuals with Asperger’s syndrome is a broad vocabulary; I suspect it’s related, for the reason I gave above, to their desire for precision and discomfort with ambiguity.)
Still, I think Cynthia’s “Meh” is neither lazy nor inarticulate; it’s merely economical. It expresses “I have no opinion on the prospect of swordfish for dinner. I’m utterly indifferent, but if I give no response at all you’ll prompt me further.” It may strike adults’ ears as rude or uncommunicative, but among her peers it would be understood with its intended emotional load.
(By the way, that Consuela is shown bringing an entire dead swordfish into the living room as she poses her question cracks me up.)
chaosandcake about 13 years ago
Thank you, Fritzoid, for pointing out the swordfish. I had somehow managed to miss it entirely. If it had been in the room with me I would have walked right into its big stabby nose.(And nice one, Zulamon.)
Dirty Dragon about 13 years ago
Not tonight Consuela – go catch something else.
Goblinopolis about 13 years ago
I’m an author in his fifties. I’m quite fond of “meh” for “I have no interest in formulating a more coherent response.”
fritzoid Premium Member about 13 years ago
On reflection, chaosandcake, maybe Consuela is only carrying the swordfish’s head. We can’t be certain the rest of the swordfish is still attached.
Fish heads, fish heads,Roly-poly fish heads,Fish heads, fish heads,Eat them up, yum!