idioms - Meaning of "excited much", "stalker much"


What does 'excited much' or 'stalker much' mean exactly, and which context are they used in? I don't get the usage of much after a noun or adjective. I often see this construction in comments, for example.



Answer



Mark Liberman of Language Log discusses the “X much?” idiom with a recent entry from OED (some emphasis mine, some examples omitted):



colloq. (orig. U.S., freq. ironic). With a preceding adjective, infinitive verb, or noun phrase, forming an elliptical comment or question. The use was popularized by the film Buffy, the Vampire Slayer and the television series derived from it.
1988 D. Waters Heathers (film script) 86 Heather Duke. It was J.D.'s idea! He made out the signature sheet and everything. Now will you sign it. Veronica. (queasy) No. Heather Duke. Jealous much?
1992 J. Whedon Buffy the Vampire Slayer (film script) 25 Pike and Benny have entered the diner, quite drunk.‥ Kimberly (to the other girls) Smell of booze much.
1998 M. Burgess & R. Green Isabella in Sopranos (television shooting script) 1st Ser. 1 42 Anthony Jr. Probably I can't go to that dance now either. Meadow. God, self-involved much?



Liberman notes that the idiom uses much in novel ways: “Jealous much?” insinuates that the target is quite jealous, whereas the conventional “Are you jealous much?” would inquire as to frequency, not intensity. He also notes how people use “X much?” even for words that don't easily expand to a full question: “Ad hominem much?” or “Martyr much?”


In my experience, the idiom ranges from whimsical to critical to sarcastic. Sometimes it's a teasing accusation, and sometimes it's even a boastful suggestion that the target should be “jealous much.” A similar idiom, “You mad bro?” has gained currency in recent years for cases where the target is angry.


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