Meh: the multifunctional expression of Apulian speech

In Puglia — as in many other varieties of colloquial Italian — the word “meh” is a widely used expression, characterized by an extraordinary flexibility of meaning. It is not a term with a fixed or traditional sense in dialect, but rather a sound-based expression that speakers use to convey a wide range of feelings and communicative attitudes.

One word, many emotions

Unlike more specific terms in the Apulian dialect lexicon, “meh” does not convey a concrete meaning; rather, it functions as a prosodic tool that helps modulate the speaker’s tone and intention. Depending on intonation and context, “meh” can take on very different meanings:

• Indifference or lack of interest: one of the most common uses, similar to “I don’t care,” “meh,” or “so-so.”

• Perplexity or doubt: used to signal uncertainty or weak conviction.

• Muted surprise or curiosity: in some situations, it suggests a brief pause for reflection before forming a judgment.

• Light or playful appreciation: sometimes accompanied by a smile, to comment on something pleasant but not exceptional.

This multiplicity of uses stems from the fact that “meh” has no autonomous lexical meaning; rather, it is an intersubjective interjection, conveying the speaker’s emotional stance more than semantic content.

From dialect exclamation to cultural symbol

The use of “meh” goes beyond its purely linguistic function: it has also become a symbol of a particular way of “being Apulian.” The word is so representative of the region’s colloquial tone and popular culture that it has been adopted in the names of venues (such as gastronomic initiatives or brands rooted in Apulian tradition) and frequently appears in social media comments, often within humorous or ironic contexts.

In this sense, “meh” acts as a kind of sound label that encapsulates an attitude: it can be appreciative, critical, or indifferent, yet it is always strongly context-dependent. Its ability to convey multiple meanings within a single syllable makes it a genuine example of creativity in Apulian popular speech.

A phenomenon that transcends borders

Although rooted in regional speech, the phenomenon of expressions like “meh” is not isolated. In the colloquial language of many cultures, similar sounds exist that convey comparable attitudes (such as the English meh, used to express indifference or a lukewarm reaction).

In summary, within the Apulian context, “meh” is less a word with a fixed meaning than a flexible expressive unit, capable of conveying multiple nuances through a single tone of voice — much like a glance, a shrug, or a facial expression, but rendered verbally. This quality makes it a distinctive feature of everyday communication, not only in dialects, but also in contemporary popular culture.