# Blah blah blah, not so much. Mild rant. **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [January 31, 2008, 7:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blah-blah-blah-not-so-much-mild-rant/435758 "2008-01-31T19:58:48Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2008, 11:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blah-blah-blah-not-so-much-mild-rant/435758/21 "2008-01-31T23:13:50Z")
[QUOTE=John Mace] Some cultures have catchy sayings. Jewish culture, not so much. [/QUOTE] I don’t know about that. I think of “I am the Lord your God” as the original YTMND. ---
**Author:** ![Khadaji](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Khadaji](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Khadaji)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2008, 11:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blah-blah-blah-not-so-much-mild-rant/435758/22 "2008-01-31T23:47:48Z")
[QUOTE=Bosstone] Isn’t this part of an American dialect too? It’s common somewhere in the Northeast, but I can’t recall exactly. [/QUOTE] I have heard it in coal-cracker country in PA. (although it would be the floor needs warshed." ---
**Author:** ![RoniaBorkason](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/9dc877/32.png) [@RoniaBorkason](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RoniaBorkason)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2008, 11:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blah-blah-blah-not-so-much-mild-rant/435758/23 "2008-01-31T23:58:33Z")
Hmm. I still think that it is all Germany’s fault, since she and her family are from Los Angeles. And I do count my blessings that there is no R in their ‘washed’. I thought that it was an acceptable way of constructing the sentence in German, perhaps also in Gaelic? ---
**Author:** ![monstro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ba9def/32.png) [@monstro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/monstro)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2008, 12:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blah-blah-blah-not-so-much-mild-rant/435758/24 "2008-02-01T00:04:40Z")
I have a coworker who does this. I hate it. ---
**Author:** ![twickster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ec9cab/32.png) [@twickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/twickster)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2008, 12:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blah-blah-blah-not-so-much-mild-rant/435758/25 "2008-02-01T00:30:48Z")
[QUOTE=Khadaji] I have heard it in coal-cracker country in PA. (although it would be the floor needs warshed." [/QUOTE] That might be the Pennsylvania Dutch influence? ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2008, 12:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blah-blah-blah-not-so-much-mild-rant/435758/26 "2008-02-01T00:39:07Z")
That doesn’t make any sense. Floors need swept and mopped, not washed. Or warshed. Sometimes scrubbed. ---
**Author:** ![Tikki](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/5daacb/32.png) [@Tikki](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tikki)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2008, 1:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blah-blah-blah-not-so-much-mild-rant/435758/27 "2008-02-01T01:38:03Z")
[QUOTE=picker] Fairly common here in Wisconsin, especially Up North [/QUOTE] I think I first heard it used by Garrison Keillor in one of his Lake Woebegone bits. Made me think it was an Upper Midwest thing. Judging by this thread, it looks like they’ve got some competition though. ---
**Author:** ![descamisado](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e480ec/32.png) [@descamisado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/descamisado)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2008, 1:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blah-blah-blah-not-so-much-mild-rant/435758/28 "2008-02-01T01:40:33Z")
deleted. ---
**Author:** ![descamisado](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e480ec/32.png) [@descamisado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/descamisado)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2008, 1:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blah-blah-blah-not-so-much-mild-rant/435758/29 "2008-02-01T01:45:56Z")
[QUOTE=John Mace] Some cultures have catchy sayings. Jewish culture, not so much. [/QUOTE] Him, he gets it. ---
**Author:** ![Freddy\_the\_Pig](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/a587f6/32.png) [@Freddy\_the\_Pig](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Freddy_the_Pig)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2008, 2:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blah-blah-blah-not-so-much-mild-rant/435758/30 "2008-02-01T02:54:57Z")
We had a Pit thread on the same topic just a couple of months ago. I can’t search for it because the words are too common. Ever since then, I notice “not so much” every time somebody uses it, and it’s starting to bug the hell out of me. So stop using it, people. Your lives **do** revolve around not bugging **Freddy the Pig** , don’t they? Well, if they don’t, they should. ---
**Author:** ![Nzinga\_Seated](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/b5ac83/32.png) [@Nzinga\_Seated](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nzinga_Seated)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2008, 4:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blah-blah-blah-not-so-much-mild-rant/435758/31 "2008-02-01T04:22:30Z")
_Fuck!_ I’m guilty of this one. I hate when I’m guilty of something that I know damn well is annoying. To my credit, I can only remember doing it once, and I immediately regretted it. Never again, Bwana Bob, do you you hear me? I vow it shalt not happen again! ---
**Author:** ![Genghis\_Bob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/45deac/32.png) [@Genghis\_Bob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Genghis_Bob)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2008, 12:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blah-blah-blah-not-so-much-mild-rant/435758/32 "2008-02-01T12:54:31Z")
[QUOTE=Freddy the Pig] . . . Your lives **do** revolve around not bugging **Freddy the Pig** , don’t they? [/QUOTE] Eh . . . not so much. (I’m sorry, really I am . . . it was just hanging out there . . .) ---
**Author:** ![BwanaBob](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bwanabob/32/2985_2.png) [@BwanaBob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BwanaBob)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2008, 1:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blah-blah-blah-not-so-much-mild-rant/435758/33 "2008-02-01T13:00:39Z")
OP here. I live in a largely Jewish area on Long Island, yet I never hear this construct in real life; I only see it in print. However, I think Labelless hit it on the head; the Mad About You/Friends connection. These were two shows I despised. This is where my anger comes from. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2008, 2:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blah-blah-blah-not-so-much-mild-rant/435758/34 "2008-02-01T14:37:49Z")
[QUOTE=Genghis Bob] Eh . . . not so much. (I’m sorry, really I am . . . it was just hanging out there . . .) [/QUOTE] Okay, it WAS just hanging out there, but a proper use of the “…not so much” contains elements of unfortunate or understated irony and (often) self-deprecation. It’s Jewish humor, after all. “My hair dye came out great. My biopsy results, not so much.” ---
**Author:** ![Solfy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/848f3c/32.png) [@Solfy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Solfy)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2008, 3:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blah-blah-blah-not-so-much-mild-rant/435758/35 "2008-02-01T15:28:06Z")
[QUOTE=WhyNot] I thought it was a Pittsburgh thing, but I’m not sure. [Apparently, it’s also a Scottish thing.](http://books.google.com/books?id=8QpP-0-YhXcC&pg=PA6&lpg=PA6&dq=the+dished+need+washed+dialect&source=web&ots=RG7qN9Qafw&sig=rO9y6w7MewDUrlf_Z2VJauXw5xU#PPA6,M1) My google skills are decent - my memory? Not so much. ETA: And apparently my Previewing sucks, as well. :smack: [/QUOTE] It is a 'burgh thing, and guess who settled large portions of Pittsburgh? Scotts and Germans! You’re all correct - group hug! (I was not aware of this quirk, my usage of it, and/or its incorrectness until I was 23yrs old and it was pointed out to me by a coworker.) ---
**Author:** ![TroubleAgain](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e480ec/32.png) [@TroubleAgain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TroubleAgain)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2008, 6:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blah-blah-blah-not-so-much-mild-rant/435758/36 "2008-02-01T18:52:28Z")
[QUOTE=Gangster Octopus] For some reason in my head I see Mel Brooks saying this. [/QUOTE] Really? 'Cause I’m hearing Judd Hirsch playing someone’s dad saying it… ---
**Author:** ![Wee\_Bairn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/90db22/32.png) [@Wee\_Bairn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wee_Bairn)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2008, 7:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blah-blah-blah-not-so-much-mild-rant/435758/37 "2008-02-01T19:19:09Z")
I use it on occasion in tribute to Borat, who I could’ve sworn used it in the bit where he asked the old south guy if the black butler was his slave, but now I think I may be in error. ---
**Author:** ![rockle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/73ab20/32.png) [@rockle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rockle)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2008, 7:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blah-blah-blah-not-so-much-mild-rant/435758/38 "2008-02-01T19:20:17Z")
[QUOTE=RoniaBorkason] My mother in law … taught her children to mis-conjugate their verbs. The dishes need washed. The floor needs vacuumed. The book needs read. The speaker needs throttled. … to be! they need TO BE **verb** ed! or **verb** ing! [/QUOTE] This also drives me completely batshit bonkers because more and more people seem to be doing it, and it also seems to be combined with other stuff that makes them sound like functionally illiterate troglodytes, _especially_ in emails, to wit: “Please be advised that teh database needs updated and you are responsible for maintance you own entires.” [sic] That was from one of my _managers_, no less, who tried to claim on my last review that I have “communication problems” because I “speak over” others. Which does not mean that I interrupt – though I do – but that I use 50¢ words when nickel ones will do, I guess. 'Scuse me for wanting to actually _use_ my college education for something. ---
**Author:** ![saoirse](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/5daacb/32.png) [@saoirse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/saoirse)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2008, 8:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blah-blah-blah-not-so-much-mild-rant/435758/39 "2008-02-01T20:11:30Z")
[QUOTE=rockle] This also drives me completely batshit bonkers because more and more people seem to be doing it, and it also seems to be combined with other stuff that makes them sound like functionally illiterate troglodytes, _especially_ in emails, to wit: “Please be advised that teh database needs updated and you are responsible for maintance you own entires.” [sic] [/QUOTE] Now if we mix this with a verbified noun, I think we can come up with an e-mail message that breaks brand new barriers in annoyance. I’m thinking: **Please be advisd that teh locatz need cheezburgerd** for starters. ---
**Author:** ![rockle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/73ab20/32.png) [@rockle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rockle)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2008, 11:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blah-blah-blah-not-so-much-mild-rant/435758/40 "2008-02-01T23:33:49Z")
[QUOTE=saoirse] Now if we mix this with a verbified noun, I think we can come up with an e-mail message that breaks brand new barriers in annoyance. I’m thinking: **Please be advisd that teh locatz need cheezburgerd** for starters. [/QUOTE] Haha. I actually speak fluent lolcat – totally ironically, _of course_, clever hipster that I think I am – and I seriously considered sending a reply that said something like: _ **“o hai! ur gramr, it stinkz. propr inglesh, let meh sho u sum. i can has ur jorb plz? kthxbai!”** _ But along with spelling and mechanics, my overlords are also a bit lacking in the “understanding sarcasm” and “operational sense of humor” departments. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blah-blah-blah-not-so-much-mild-rant/435758.md?page=1)