Among the many words coined by The Simpsons, “D’oh!” has had the most impact on the English language, says an international survey of translators.
The survey, which considered which words or phrases from the The Simpsons have had an impact on the English language, was based on answers from translators working around the world for a London-based translation agency. “Homer Simpson must be the most influential wordsmith since Shakespeare,” said Jurga Zilinskiene, head of Today Translations. The results:
- 37%: “D’oh!” - a grunt expressing frustration at realising that things have gone wrong, or that one has just said or done something foolish.
- 13%: “introubulate - to get someone into trouble.
- 11% “craptacular” - spectacularly crap.
- 10%: “eat my shorts” - a dismissive insult.
- 9%: “knowitallism” - describes Lisa Simpson’s personality.
- 7%: “embiggen” - to enlarge or empower.
- 6%: “meh” - an interjection, suggesting deep indifference.
- 4%: “learning juice” - beer.
- 3%: “cheese-eating surrender monkeys” -- the French.
- 1%: “kwyjibo” - word made up by Bart to win Scrabble game. Defined as “a big dumb balding Northern American ape with no chin.”
I wonder if I can add up my hours of Simpsons watching and apply for an English degree?
Previously on Popped Culture...
Words Can Kill
Today's Word Is...
Creation Of Homer
That's a perfectly cromulent survey.
ReplyDeleteI think meh is more deserving of praise in this than D'oh! Meh is the silent warrior that has taken its place in our language with little fanfare and become an entity separate from The Simpsons.
ReplyDeleteThe article didn't explain much on how they came up with their stats. In any case I think their phrases have far more impact than any phrase. But Meh is much bigger than they give it credit for.
ReplyDelete