Wah-Wah...

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I've seen this several times now and I don't quite get what it is. It seems to be some sort of a sound effect frequently used when something dramatic/ depressing happens, that people now say as a phrase (like bow chicka bow wow as stripper music).

(Note, this isn't "wah-wah pedal," but something people say to indicate sort of "uh-oh" or "something bad's about to happen.")

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Type: Question • Score: 10 • Views: 6,498 • Replies: 32

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@sozobe,

Just found this:

Quote:

Wah Wah 26 thumbs up love it hate it

The sound you make when someone says a crappy joke or something stupid. You usually emphasize the last "wah" by dragging it out in a low monotone voice and looking at the person like an idiot.
Douche: Hey, do you know Chuck Norris' blood type?

Non-douche: No.

Douche: Trick question: he doesn't bleed.

Non-douche: Wah Wah.

http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=wah+wah

So is it sort of nonplussment + mild disapproval?

1 Reply

@sozobe,

Sounds rawther like Roger's : "Groan."

1 Reply

@dlowan,

It does from that example, but it seems like in other examples it's been more related to drama -- I know I thought that it was maybe some (uncaptioned) sound effect frequently used on reality shows and such, from the context. But dunno!

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@sozobe,

It's the title of a film I saw not so long ago, soz. Just looked up the meaning: Wah wah means "headache" in British slang, apparently.

http://www.tribecafilm.com/filmguide/archive/Wah-Wah.html

2 Replies

@msolga,

Interesting... that seems to be a third meaning (along with wah-wah pedals/ music) rather than the meaning I've been seeing, though...

1 Reply

@sozobe,

In my experience, it means more that someone has been cheesy or lame. Like when bad TV shows use sound effects to show people when to laugh.

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@sozobe,

It sounds like you're describing the sound made by a trombone or trumpet, often with a mute (sometimes called a "wah wah mute"), where the first note is followed by a note that is one tone lower. It is found in bad comedies to indicate irony or disappointment.

2 Replies

@joefromchicago,

joefromchicago wrote:

It sounds like you're describing the sound made by a trombone or trumpet, often with a mute (sometimes called a "wah wah mute"), where the first note is followed by a note that is one tone lower. It is found in bad comedies to indicate irony or disappointment.

This is what I was going to say. Imagine that, joefromchicago and I thinking the same. What's next?

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@sozobe,

I think its a product of television sitcom/sketch comedy writers, something along the lines that would accompany a laugh track.

An audible exclamation to induce the audience to laugh at that particular folly of the character that just made a mistake.

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@joefromchicago,

This one right?

(from http://www.sadtrombone.com/)

1 Reply

2 Replies

@McGentrix,

McGentrix wrote:

joefromchicago wrote:

It sounds like you're describing the sound made by a trombone or trumpet, often with a mute (sometimes called a "wah wah mute"), where the first note is followed by a note that is one tone lower. It is found in bad comedies to indicate irony or disappointment.

This is what I was going to say. Imagine that, joefromchicago and I thinking the same. What's next?

Obviously the world is coming to an abrupt end.

0 Replies

@DrewDad,

I need more description, less sound!

That's right along the lines of what I thought this was -- some sound that everyone recognizes because it's used but not captioned, and then people started saying it (I think I've seen people say it out loud but I've also seen it captioned -- most recently on "Project Runway"). It was that usage -- people saying "wah wah," captioned as the words "wah wah" -- that got me wondering what the reference was.

This (descriptions + comments) is helping though, thanks!

2 Replies

@sozobe,

Joe is correct in his description of the sound being from a brass instrument using a mute. The mute changes the timbre of the sound, and the the mute is removed during the note, so that the note starts muted then becomes normal timbre. Two notes are played, the second note of a slightly lower pitch, thus "wah wah".

It is used much like a rimshot. It indicates something dumb, sad or ironic, rather than something funny. (I've rethought my original description of its usage.)

2 Replies

@DrewDad,

"Who wants cake?"

"Not me, America's experiencing a virtual epidemic of juvenile diabetes."

Wah-wah.

"Let's open presents! Wow, the complete movie guide, thanks!"

"I haven't been able to read a movie review since the untimely passing of Gene Siskel."

Wah-wah.

"Who wants to go fishing on Saturday?"

"Count me out; my doctor says my mercury levels could reach toxic proportions."

Wah-wah.

0 Replies

@DrewDad,

Awesome, thanks. I'm definitely getting a clearer picture. (Your subsequent examples helped too.)

What I can't figure out yet -- what kinds of shows is the trombone (as opposed to spoken) "wah wah" used on? Was it sincere at one point (a spur to audience laughter) and then became ironic on more recent shows? Anyone know when it made the transition to a spoken expression?

0 Replies

@DrewDad,

Looks like Debbie Downer could have a lot to do with this:

Quote:

The first appearance of Debbie Downer was on May 1, 2004 with guest host Lindsay Lohan. Debbie and five family members are eating breakfast at a restaurant in Walt Disney World. While the family makes small talk, Debbie makes negative comments on current events followed by a knowing look at the camera and a cartoonish "wah-wah" sound made by a muted trombone.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Debbie_Downer

1 Reply

@sozobe,

Does Hulu not do closed captions? How very irritating.

1 Reply

@sozobe,

I believe so.

Can't find any clips online that have captioning, though.

0 Replies

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