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Matt · 17-11-2008, 03:09 PM

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Bothered Much? 'Meh' Is A Word

It might be nothing to get excited about, but there is a new addition to the Collins English Dictionary.

The preferred response of the apathetic, "meh" is the newest word in the famous lexicon.

The word, defined as "an interjection expressing indifference or boredom", beat off hundreds of others to gain entry.

It has won its place between "megrim" (whose plural means "low spirits") and "meibomian" ("the large sebaceous glands of the human eyelid") thanks to generating a surprising amount of enthusiasm among lexicographers.

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

"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!'

Publisher HarperCollins said that the word had been chosen from terms suggested by the public for inclusion in the dictionary's 30th anniversary edition, to be published next year.

The dictionary will define "meh" as an expression of indifference or boredom, or an adjective meaning mediocre or boring.

Examples given by the dictionary include "I feel a bit meh about the whole thing" and "The Canadian election was so meh."

The dictionary's compilers said the word originated in North America and spread through the Internet.

Source: Sky News