The word for the day is “meh.”
It is one of my favorite words, as students who have taken my classes will attest. I use it as an utterance in class, but also as a simple comment in the margin near a part of the submission I find less than stellar.
“Meh” beautifully conveys emotion — or rather, lack of emotion. It is a verbal shrug, a noncommittal answer, an indication of indifference.
It is the word for the day because my esteemed colleague Jonathan Rabb told me that one of our mutual students tried to use it in the narrative of a paper for his class. And then, when Jonathan balked, that person tried to justify it by citing me.
No, no, no. It can be used in a quote (“Meh,” she said). It can be used as a reaction (see above image). It can’t really be used in a narrative. It is akin to other interjections such as “Argh!” or “Rats!” (or even old-school Shaggy‘s “Zoinks!”) and has to be treated as such. Yes, even though it is now included in some dictionaries. Read this article for more on the origin and status of the word. (Note: I would put quotation marks around the word as it is used in the dictionary’s example.)
Despite its limitations, I think it is a lovely word that says so much with so little. I would like to celebrate the word by wearing this:
So, it is fair to say that I don’t feel “meh” about “meh.”
Observe and report 
I know I’ve used “meh,” in a review in Rabb’s class, I don’t know if I’m the student you’re talking about but I’m pretty sure It was in quotes.
As in, you watch the Owl’s of Ga’hoole and your reaction is to say “meh.”
JUST TO SET THE RECORD STRAIGHT.
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Do you have him this quarter? I don’t think it was you, but he didn’t reveal the origin.
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Last quarter is when I wrote that particular one, I’m sure more people use it in their writing.
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Yes, I’m sure. But I’m also sure it wasn’t you. This time.
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