The above, a recent Stuff website heading, sadly now voguish with Stuff. Why?
I’ve never ever heard anyone utter this inanity.
I’ve poked fun in the past at rugby players in particular, answering post-match interview questions with “yes – no,” idiotic to be sure, but far removed from “yeah nah.”
“Yeah” instead of “yes” is commonplace, particularly with the working classes. My company would certainly never employ anyone incapable of saying “yes.”
But “nah?” For God’s sake! Why is Stuff promoting this? One thing I’d wager is the sort of cretins who might say it in lieu of “no” could not tell you what a newspaper is if shown one.
14 Comments
Yeah , nah , you’re correct Sir Robert . The learnings of proper English usage isn’t getting through to the teachers nor the learners .
Regretably on a normal distribution curve 50% are average or varying degrees of below average which explains the intellect behind what half the population expresses in its language and assorted habits and exploited expectations.
What about this inane drivel in today’s NZ Horrid:
”Enormous’ sums: Synnies drug ring ‘kingpin’ and wife sentenced for money laundering’
‘Synnies’ …. dear, oh dear.
Oh SB
Didn’t you know !
The Left Estate has been given instructions to ” modify our literacy ” to suit a younger more wise view. You may also be unaware our laws are being unilaterally modified by younger
more wise judges to enable a positive outcome for the Maori criminal ( that is positive for Maori as no other race is of any consequence and are of course rather primitive ).
Better end this here as the SIS now considers the subject threatening to our national security and is on the banned list for further public disscussion.
Check Hansard Sir Bob. Yep even Ministers are known to have used the Yea Nah kiwism.
Try RNZ National 6 am – 12 noon Monday – Friday.
Replete with Yeah – Nah as well as revealing their presenters military backgrounds (all served in the artillery). They are all Gunner to do something. To be fair they match that with “wanner” as in “wanner go to lunch now.”
So many other examples of poor diction and grammar on the nations flagship radio station that I wanner cry.
Securiddy and poviddy are somethink Ardern cares deeply about.
You forgot communidy, ecktually, eggsackly etc
Ah this is more than just a “no”..As far as I can tell its a response designed to put down to the questioner for posing a somewhat earnest question…
Guess you never heard Kevin Mealamu give an interview. That said the staff at Stuff find the English language challenging, I had some email communication with a junior reporter who had written language skills that my 12 year old daughter would have been ashamed of.
I thought Yeah, Nah came from the Tui Brewery Billboard adverts, on various subjects? And it was used in the anti-drink driving campaign on TV – Have another beer? Yeah, Nah. Presumably meaning that yes I want another, but I can’t because I have to get the car home.
But what about the Main Theme of the headline regarding Banning Fireworks! Can you imagine the outcry, China would boycott NZ imports because of the loss of pyrotechnic sales, loss of work. Could be an upset boat of you rocket. The part of the NZ population (them arson around with matches) that still want to play with fire and burn down good forestry and beachfront grass would be up in arms. Man, we could light things up with a cracker debate, some will be fizzing, some will take off, some will go pop.
Sir Bob, the commentators above have neglected basic English. The irony is on them.
It’s a very good example of the general dumbing down of the media, which if we are to believe the current rumours about Stuff, is finally leading to their downfall. I for one won’t miss them.
I fink the “yeah/nah” is an abreviation of the equally inane opening reply to every request/question with “yeah, no problem”