So you've been reading the Guardian, too.

I'm sure you're right about "meh" expressing much the same as "bof": a sort of bored, contemptuous dismissal. I wouldn't say the latter is world-famous. Do French teenagers still say it?

We can do without "meh": we already have "pshaw", "pfft", etc. It will be interesting to see if it "passes into wide-spread unselfconscious usage".

Ah we do have "pfft" etc., but the "m" in "meh" actually kick-starts the pouting expression which it complements it so well!

I disagree.

You cannot pout and say "meh" at the same time.

"pfft" is exactly the sound that the French as well as the English make to register a sneer.

It is possible! Pull the end of your lips down, so forming an inverted "U", while jutting your chin forward ever so slightly, then start saying "mmmmeh". But then I suppose pouting is second nature to me, so maybe that's why I find it easy to adapt to any word.

This is such a useful little expletive! It's supposed to have originated with the Simpsons, but my parents, who spoke mostly Yiddish at home and were certainly not aware of the Simpsons, used it every so often. As well as 'feh' to express disgust. Of course, American films (and the American language in general) are peppered with Yiddish words and phrases. Most of the time people have no idea where they come from.

Bela, if you fancy writing a guest post on Yiddish contributions to English, I for one would be very interested and delighted to publish it here!

Oh, thanks very much for the invite, Céline. I'm sure I can rustle up something. I'll be in touch. :-)

Hi all,

it's been quite a while since my last comment on this blog!

Tony, French teenagers use "bof" more than ever.