Whatever???

[auro]

How is it that the word 'whatever' has come to be used in modern language as a dismissive reply, and who started using it in this way?

[Quizmonster]

It's dismissive in the sense that it implies that 'whatever' the response is it doesn't really matter. I've a notion it may have come from 'The Simpsons', but I could be 'way out on that.

[Moog]

Friends made it popular, but sure if it's the origin of it though

[Quizmonster]

I decided to do a little research on the word and it has been used in a somewhat similar way since the mid-19th century. It has been used in exactly the modern 'dismissive' sense since the 1960s. That predates by a considerable margin both 'The Simpsons' and 'Friends'.

[andy hughes]

The first time I heard it was when used by black women on 'Jerry Springer' when the need to dismiss the speaker, whilst simultaneously sending them into paroxysms of violent rage could be considered a result.

[secretspirit]

I thought it came from the 1995 film 'Clueless' which is certainly where my friends picked it up from.

[Gratia]

Okee dokee, this might be totally off but... this is what I found. "What You Will", an old phrase from (at least) the 1500-1600 (Elizabethan period)... "What you will" means 'whatever you want to call it'(like a dismissive phrase). So..... it is plausible (and I chose my words wisely) that it could have derived from that phrase. Weeewwwhhh! Well I gave it shot! Even if I'm wrong no know for a fact it didn't come from "Friends", the saying was around in the 60's (so my mother tells me). Annnnnnnnnndddd I'm done...

[cheyenne]

MY DAUGHTER??

[ICEMANSAV]

clueless.. ahh the sweet reminder of alicia silverston.

[Gratia]

Vinny100 - ???? Who??