July 12, 2005

*Ask Jen: Neener Neener Edition

Reader CarolAnn writes, "Jen - do you have any idea where the children's phrase.....'ne ner ne ner ne ner' came from? Thanks."

Wow, that is a tough one. I don't know any original sources for neener-neener or its sister nyah-nyah...but if I were to fabricate an explanation, I'd say it likely comes from Old English "ne". Which means "no" or "not".

Do you have a question for me? You can e-mail it. If I know the answer, I'll answer it. If I don't, I might make something up.

Posted by Jennifer at July 12, 2005 03:47 PM | TrackBack

Comments

As in the nights who say 'Ne'?

Posted by: shank at July 12, 2005 04:12 PM

I thought they said "ekki ekki ekki pitang zoop boing".

Posted by: Jim at July 12, 2005 04:45 PM

Mork and Mindy?

"Neener Neener Nanoo Nanoo."

Growing up, we always just said "Na na na na..." to the universal tune of general mockery.

Just guessing.

Posted by: Trey Givens at July 13, 2005 09:42 AM

I have a question for Jen: Why do people drunk dial?

Posted by: Lindsay at July 13, 2005 06:41 PM


Jew