Whatever!

[brawburd]

When did this go from being a word meaning everything and anything to a dismissive put-down?! Is there a link with popular media that I have missed?

[Tinker]

Throughout the film 'Clueless' (1995?), Cher (Alicia Silverstone) and her mate say it quite regularly, i doubt it completely derived from this though.....

[andy hughes]

I used to hear it used a lot on 'Jerry Springer', usually by people of colour who were confirming that they had formed a neagative opinion of any cogent arguemtn aimed in their direction concerning their drugs / sex / pets (or combinations thereof!) lives. I think it's just an American slang expression, and as usual, it has made its way over here.

[kags]

Have a listen to United States Of Whatever by Liam Lynch - who said the Americans don't do irony!!!!

[melandraf]

...yes, since the Americans got hold of the word...