Worst. Question. Ever.

September 27, 2005 5:14 PM

Can anyone point me to a brief online etymology about this over-punctuated style of expression yourself: Worst. Whatever. Ever. Is it a slashdot thing? Mefi thing? Geek thing? Are there any articles about this online?
posted by arielmeadow to computers & internet (14 comments total)

Simpsons thing.
posted by mr_roboto at 5:18 PM on September 27, 2005

I'm not 100% certain, but I believe that the phrase originated with The Comic Book Guy on the Simpsons.
posted by blue mustard at 5:19 PM on September 27, 2005

that sums it up, no futher discussion needed. NEXT!
posted by edgeways at 5:24 PM on September 27, 2005

I thought the Simpson writers were parodying the overzealous internet fans who were always complaining about the Simpsons being past their prime.
posted by Falconetti at 5:27 PM on September 27, 2005

Awesome. Thanks everyone.
posted by arielmeadow at 5:49 PM on September 27, 2005

Best.
Question.
Ever.
Tonight.
posted by caddis at 6:26 PM on September 27, 2005

The story is that Matt Groening first had the Comic Book Buy say it as a mocking response to critics (and fans) after a critic titled an article "Worst Episode Ever"
posted by stefanie at 10:27 PM on September 27, 2005

I wonder whether the usenet syntax had anything to do with it, as in my favorite alt.westley.crusher.die.die.die, or the oft paraphrased alt.pot.kettle.black. Certainly alt.worst.episode.ever would fit in perfectly.
posted by birdsquared at 11:01 PM on September 27, 2005

And CBG would likely post to alt.wesley.die.die.die.
posted by acoutu at 12:41 AM on September 28, 2005

Isn't it really a reference to William Shatner's style of voice acting? Thus Comic Book Guy is using a (nerdly) Star Trek reference to express his distaste.
posted by sandking at 5:40 AM on September 28, 2005

No, a Shatner parody would be more like "Worst.  &nbsp  EpisodeEver."
posted by DevilsAdvocate at 8:10 AM on September 28, 2005

gah. You get the idea, anyway.
posted by DevilsAdvocate at 8:11 AM on September 28, 2005

stefanie: "The story is that Matt Groening first had the Comic Book Buy say it as a mocking response to critics (and fans) after a critic titled an article "Worst Episode Ever""

Actually, the first time CBG said it was in the Itchy and Scratchy and Poochy episode, which was essentially a 30-minute-long response to nerd-reviewers. The alt.tv.simpsons folks like to think it was pointed at them in particular, since Groening has gone on record saying that he lurks (or maybe lurked) the newsgroup.
posted by Plutor at 9:33 AM on September 28, 2005

Relevant Wikipedia link featured on the blue
posted by Sharcho at 3:28 AM on October 18, 2005