Where did the phrase "Not so much" come from?

bif

(1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore

Thu May-28-09 11:04 AM
Original message

Where did the phrase "Not so much" come from?

And does it annoy anyone else?

Printer Friendly | Permalink | | Top

Richardo

(1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore

Thu May-28-09 11:06 AM
Response to Original message

1. I first became aware of it from Paul Reiser in 'Mad About You'

Which probably explains the annoyance factor. :shrug:

Printer Friendly | Permalink | | Top

arbusto_baboso

(1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore

Thu May-28-09 11:17 AM
Response to Reply #1

2. Like everything else Reiser said, it did not originate with him.

It's an old yiddish-ism, probably originating on the east coast in New York, Boston or Philly areas.

Printer Friendly | Permalink | | Top

Richardo

(1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore

Thu May-28-09 11:18 AM
Response to Reply #2

4. Oh I have no doubt about that.

Just where I first heard it, not being around old-yiddishers much :)

Printer Friendly | Permalink | | Top

cemaphonic

(1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore

Thu May-28-09 01:33 PM
Response to Reply #2

8. Its amazing how influential those old Jewish vaudville and comedy acts have been in our culture

People are still riffing off the Marx Brothers, and they were just a continuation of a theatrical tradition that mostly doesn't even exist anymore.

Printer Friendly | Permalink | | Top

arbusto_baboso

(1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore

Thu May-28-09 01:35 PM
Response to Reply #8

9. I loves me some Marx Brothers!

They still crack me up, even though I've seen those old flicks as many times as I've seen Star Wars. You don't see banter like that anymore.

Printer Friendly | Permalink | | Top

cemaphonic

(1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore

Thu May-28-09 01:41 PM
Response to Reply #9

10. yeah, I don't think I've ever seen a scene that was as successful at sustaining the funny

than the stateroom bit from Night at the Opera. Plus, it always amuses me that they got all that somnambulant groping by Harpo past the censors. (Actually they were pretty good at sneaking a lot of stuff by the censors.)

Printer Friendly | Permalink | | Top

arbusto_baboso

(1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore

Thu May-28-09 01:47 PM
Response to Reply #10

11. Yes, exactly the scene I was thinking of! "And two hard boiled eggs." "HONK!"

Printer Friendly | Permalink | | Top

gmoney

(1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore

Thu May-28-09 11:18 AM
Response to Original message

3. does it annoy me? not so much

:hide:

Printer Friendly | Permalink | | Top

Shell Beau

(1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore

Thu May-28-09 11:48 AM
Response to Original message

5. Uh oh! I use it. Often!

Printer Friendly | Permalink | | Top

DarkTirade

(1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore

Thu May-28-09 11:48 AM
Response to Original message

6. Do I know where it came from?

Not so much. :P

Printer Friendly | Permalink | | Top

targetpractice

(1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore

Thu May-28-09 12:07 PM
Response to Original message

7. Look here...

http://www.newyorker.com/online/blogs/hendrikhertzberg/2007/10/language-health.html

http://www.azcentral.com/ent/pop/articles/1031catchphrases1031.html

Printer Friendly | Permalink | | Top

DU AdBot (1000+ posts)

Wed May 15th 2024, 08:45 PM
Response to Original message

Advertisements [?]

Top

Powered by DCForum+ Version 1.1 Copyright 1997-2002 DCScripts.com
Software has been extensively modified by the DU administrators

Important Notices: By participating on this discussion board, visitors agree to abide by the rules outlined on our Rules page. Messages posted on the Democratic Underground Discussion Forums are the opinions of the individuals who post them, and do not necessarily represent the opinions of Democratic Underground, LLC.