I know, right? I first noticed this little gem of a conversation heart several months ago and now hear it everywhere. Even though it doesn't really make sense.
Where did it come from? Some say it's from the movie Mean Girls, but I have it on Google authority that the expression has been around longer than that. I am probably way behind the curve on this one. Of course, now that it's hit my radar, "I know, right" may be ready to take it's place with tired hipster phraseology such as "jumped the shark."
I actually love using that one. So delightful, the cheese factory reference to Fonzie on water skis. It's so over I think using it is funny. Kind of like when people say they are from Canada, and I respond, "Oh, Canada." Cracks me up. John smiles indulgently as no one else acknowledges my fourth-grade wit.
That's pure juvenile silliness, but "I know, right" could be here to stay. If you're already using this phrase you're probably too young to remember how everyone made fun of "like" when Valley Girl was big in the '80s (the song, not the movie that followed). To my horror, it slipped into my vocabulary for a while and still pops out occasionally. My grade-school children use it in everyday conversation without a trace of irony.
Yes, we're a family of English majors. But I'm not the only one uncomfortable with the growing ubiquity of this expression. According to this little YouTube clip that's been up since October of 2008, there's a "Stop Saying I Know, Right?" group on facebook.
Good luck to you people. But catch phrases catch on. Language evolves. Ask the Academie Francaise. The "People Who LOVE To Say I Know, Right" on facebook outnumber that other group of haters four-to-one.
Resistance is futile.
3 comments:
There are some phrases that drive me crazy, too. Like drives me bonkers, and so does I could care less. Shouldn't we all care. Even if we are indifferent. We should care. Funny me. Miss you Sharon!
As a fellow English major, I'm with you on this one. Luckily my kids haven't caught on to this catchy little catch phrase... yet.
A girl I worked with over 10 years ago said it a lot. I remember wondering if it was a southern colloquialism, as she was from Georgia. Or if it came from a lack of education, which was also the case. However, I have a college degree and I know I've said it. Which is ridiculous given the aforementioned ponderings. I know, right?
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