Ermahgerd
Memes have been criticized for their impact on the English language, with concerns that they contribute to a degradation of the language. In fact, some memes have become so popular that they are being considered for inclusion in dictionaries. One such example is “ermahgerd,” a rhotacized pronunciation of “oh my god,” which has gained widespread use and recognition.
Ironically, the origins of this particular meme can be traced back to a post by Maggie Goldenberger in 2012, when she was in the fourth or fifth grade. In the post, she held up a Goosebumps book and wrote, “Just a book owner’s smile…” The post did not indicate whether she was being sarcastic or genuine about her love of the book series. Nonetheless, the photo and accompanying text quickly became viral, with users sharing and remixing it with the now-familiar “ermahgerd” caption.
