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fiat_knox ([personal profile] fiat_knox) wrote2008-04-04 10:29 pm
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Question

It must be an American intarwebs thing, but WTF does "Oh, snap!" mean? It just makes whoever says it sound dreadfully effete, like a Blood Doll donor to some excruciatingly camp OTT Daeva.

I won't use the phrase till I get its etymology: and even then, once I'm aware of whence it comes, I'm sure I'll dig up some worthy alternatives.

Besides, by the time I start using it the phrase will have already descended to the level of cliche, like one of Bruce Forsyth's worn-out old catchphrases.
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[identity profile] johncoxon.livejournal.com 2008-04-04 09:56 pm (UTC)(link)
The card game is fairly widespread in Britain...

[identity profile] kleenexwoman.livejournal.com 2008-04-05 12:49 am (UTC)(link)
It's a black culture thing. White people just sound silly saying it and they can't do the gestures required.

[identity profile] sandchigger.livejournal.com 2008-04-05 02:11 am (UTC)(link)
It's been used a synonym for "BURN!" as in a (sometimes third-party) response to seeing someone get served. I couldn't begin to fathom the etymology, though I think the first time I saw it was in the movie Zoolander.

I may well be wrong.

[identity profile] lyny-wolf.livejournal.com 2008-04-05 05:20 pm (UTC)(link)
Yeah...it generally sounds stupid coming from anyone's mouth. But I've heard it used in situations where the speaker has just watched someone, oh say, take a nose dive into the concrete while attempting a stunt on a bike or skateboard. Or the speaker has just beaten someone in a game of cards or something. I think it's generally used after you have 'dissed' somebody.

As to where it comes from, I haven't a clue.
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