[Tuthmosis]

You have to hand it to the NY Times for making an effort to fight against this supremely annoying, massively played-out, "snarky" chick cliche--much like the word "awkward" or the vocal fry epidemic. I'm frankly disappointed in Jerry Seinfeld for not recognizing how much of a problem he's contributed to.

It's not his fault for starting it, but it's his fault for not putting a stop to it.

Full story.

Quote:

Jerry Seinfeld really defends the word really in letter to New York Times
By Courtney Hazlett, TODAY

In a piece that ran in Monday's New York Times, Neil Genzlinger opined about his dislike for the the use of the word "really" as a comedic tool. "I’m not talking about 'Really?' as a request for more information or an expression of surprise," he wrote. "I’m referring to the more recent, faddish use of it: delivered with a high-pitched sneer to indicate a contempt so complete that it requires no clarification."

Genzlinger goes on to say that when "Really?" pops up in scripted shows, it's "lazy writing" and the use of those "Reallys?" are playing a role in the "continuing collapse of society." Really.

Jerry Seinfeld, who has performed in the hit "Saturday Night Live" sketch "Really?!? With Seth and Amy" took umbrage with Genzlinger's notions, and penned a letter to The New York Times defending its use.

Seinfeld wrote: "Your Critic’s Notebook column about the overuse of the term 'Really?' was so deeply vacuous that I couldn’t help but feel that you have stepped into my area of expertise. Really, Neil? Really? You’re upset about too many people saying, 'Really?'? I mean, really. O.K., fine, when it’s used in scripted media, it is a little lazy. But comedy writers are lazy. You’re not fixing that. So, here’s the bottom line. If you’re a writer, fine, don’t use it. But in conversation it is fun to say."

(continues.)

[Screwston]

I hate when girls say that word. I don't know when it blew up, but I hear it everywhere and want to karate chop a bitch in the neck when it happens. I don't think I've ever heard a guy use it like females with the sarcasm. The sad thing is I've been seeing it more and more on this forum

[Basil Ransom]

Props for this thread. I'm also disappointed that Seinfeld took this stand.

What's wrong with 'really?'

It's the equivalent of the dude who can only make people laugh by quoting Will Ferrell movies. It's okay occasionally, but any more than that, it becomes obvious that you suck at being funny.

'Really' is one of those girl talk words. You see girls laughing MANIACALLY at each other from afar. You get closer, and hear what they're saying, and it's absolutely cliched, retarded shit. You think, you know, "man, if I said that shit, they'd think I'm a fucking loser... and I WOULD be" You're like, 'how the fuck are these girls laughing at each other over this stuff.' It's sort of like the platonic female version of the 'lame dude laughs at hot chick's corny jokes' phenomenon. And because this 'really' thing is 'officially' a fad, chicks will laugh twice as hard to show they 'get it,' that they're keyed in, in the cool crowd.

PS I love the show The League, but the dude who says 'really,' according to the NYT article, is coincidentally a passive aggressive twat. Always has been, on the show, sort of like a more bro-ey version of Jim Halpert from the Office.

The problem with the original article was that the author wasn't funny himself. You can't mock comics and bring nothing to the table yourself. Case in point:

Quote:

Say a co-worker shows up for a pivotal meeting wearing a plaid blouse and a polka-dot skirt. In the old days you might have said: “Well, that is certainly an interesting fashion choice. Myself, I prefer something more subdued when sitting down with a client. Now, though, if you’ve succumbed to the loathsome trend, you will simply aim as withering a look as you can at your colleague, say “Really?” and walk away.”

That's the best he can do? (I was tempted to say 'really?'... it is succinct, after all). "Drunk shopping at Salvation Army again?" Or something, anything.