'woe-is-me'ing mug

Both answers that tried to explain are incorrect in explaining the grammaticality of the phrase. The verb "to be" is an intransitive verb, meaning it cannot take an object. English is a West Germanic language, thus some odd expressions like this have origins in our former case system. For those of you who have studied German, you will recall that it is correct to say "es ist mir kalt", or "mir ist kalt" rather than "ich bin kalt" (for the uninitiated respectively, "it is me cold" or "me is cold", rather than "I am cold"). The equivalent of the phrase "woe is me" in German is "Weh mir" (Woe (unto) me). This is because the phrase utilizes the dative case, a case English had before the Norman influence on the language after 1066. Since the conquest, the English language's accusative and dative cases merged into one oblique case, which creates the ambiguity of the (Early) Modern English usage of the phrase. Thus, the grammaticality of the phrase has its origins in an archaic system English once used, and was certainly not very foreign to Early Modern English speakers such as Shakespeare. The use of the phrase is found in Wycliffe's translation of the Bible (1382) and William Shakespeare's Hamlet via quotes from the Bible (1602). Wycliffe (Job 10:15) And if Y was wickid, wo is to me; and if Y was iust, Y fillid with turment and wretchidnesse `schal not reise the heed. The term 'woe-is-me'ing would best be defined as declaring that one is in a state of distress or grief.

Customize

The Urban Dictionary Mug

  • Glossy ceramic, 11 oz
  • Vivid artwork fused into the finish, not a vinyl decal
  • Microwave and dishwasher safe
  • Word on front, definition on back
  • Approximately 3.8" tall
  • Every order personally reviewed
  • Returns & defect-free guarantee

You might also like

Customer Reviews

636
62
10
1
15

Great mug... finally got my ""your mom gay lol" mug, I'm so happy

Jackoof Sep 18

ariana grande mug omg this slays mah life

ariana grande is a queen Sep 18

It was easy to correct grammar when necessary, and then to order a great gift for a member of a wedding party. Nice, simple, and sturdy mug.

Etan N. Sep 18
✓ Verified Purchase

with this we regain gods trust This mug changes my views of humanity. I think we may have a chance of not going extinct. Everyone should own this fantastic mug. Oh it's also has a nice handle.

Yeet Skeet Sep 17

Love that I got an Urban Dictionary word definition from someone I know! So much fun and great memory item!! 😊

Jamie W. Sep 15
✓ Verified Purchase

I like it but it took a long time getting here

Bruce M. Sep 15
✓ Verified Purchase

Very basic mug but does the trick!

Daniel B. Sep 14
✓ Verified Purchase

The mug is of good quality but advertisement needs to change as the sample photo for ordering gives the customer an illusion that the entire mug is of that color ordered when it is not

Melissa L. Sep 13
✓ Verified Purchase

muffinism mug very bold mug i love it u should buy one

numpty muffin Sep 12

Oof oof this mug gives me life every single day. i have no other reason to wake up in the morning. also this website is the only thing that's ever loved me.

buyin'dumbmugs Sep 10
Review by Jada D.

The fact you guys make custom mugs is the most hilarious yet smartest thing ever, thank you so much I'm definitely gonna collect these and chuckle at the crazy words/terms only I will understand the depth of! 😂

Jada D. Sep 10
✓ Verified Purchase

Nice, but I need the “Reservation Dogs” version of “Aho!”

Richard B. Sep 10
✓ Verified Purchase

The mug is a gift for our Fantasy Football league winner…or loser. I'm not sure yet; it's a bit of a spoof that will be disclosed on Thanksgiving.

Kimberly S. Sep 10
✓ Verified Purchase
Review by Stephanie K.

Love it just like your ranking to be noticed at 4 to stabilize with bots at 5 but looks real

Stephanie K. Sep 9
✓ Verified Purchase

Perfect Mug My CPacket mug arrived perfectly with the definition of that skid

LmN Sep 8

My real first name is Ancil and I must say this is by far the greatest thing I have ever seen in my life and I love you all.

Ancil B. Sep 8

YOIT Ligma balls bitch. YOOOOOOOIIIIIIIIIITTTTTTTT

Ligma balls bitch Sep 6

What is there to say? It's a mug, with a word in front and the definition in back. Nicely done!

Christina A. Sep 5
✓ Verified Purchase
Review by Adrienne D.

This will be the perfect gift this winter! It even came in a nice little box. The mug seems to be of good quality. It was a bit pricy, got to be honest, but it’ll be very well received.

Adrienne D. Sep 5
✓ Verified Purchase

Deathless but probably comatose verse This cup is a beautiful mug From which I am happy to chug while engaging in jomo (the obverse of fomo), and pulling the ol' cyber plug.

Blue Zinnia Sep 2
Page 1 of 37