Zeraph

I've seen it in a couple contexts. One is the little kid going "nya nya nya!" I think anyways, which would suggest "nah nah nah." But I've also seen it in a japanese/anime context where I think it sounds like "meow" sort of.

Jetée

This query should have totally been bumped in the "silly questions" locale... but I can dig it.

Also, I have your answer. If you want to refer to the Japanese manga/anime example, it is pronounced is a soft 'nee-ah', and as often seen spelled as 'nyah', but yours is close enough. Almost forgot to tell you: it is also almost always used in conjuction with the "eye-pull-down" (you either know what I mean or not) or an exaggerated bend over and slap on the behind.

Referring to its practice in North America, it caught on some decades ago, and I always thought of it as the condensed word-play on 'nanny-nanny boo-boo'. Sounds just the same: a 'nyah' (and it is meant to sound like a cats' mew... I couldn't tell you why; perhaps ask why 'catgirls' are so big in Japan).

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uncle phil

what is the "care" factor?

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never wrestle with a pig.
you both get dirty;
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Plan9

___ ___ ___! Hey, Jude!

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Zeraph

Ah thanks. Totally forgot about that thread, and I created it too. I'll make it up to you Jetée by posting in the anime/cosplay thread

As to why- some things just bother me till I find the answer.

Jetée

Ah, seems your question was but another popular locale away: definition of: nyah

but searching for an image of it is more painful than I can bear (I stopped after four minutes); I did, however, find you an example of what I meant:



(were you reading manga when you came upon the desire to offer this question?)

__________________
As human beings, our greatness lies not so much in being able to remake the world (that is the myth of the Atomic Age) as in being able to remake ourselves.

—Mohandas K. Gandhi

Zeraph

Probably where it originally caught my interest, but for whatever reason it randomly popped into my head recently, and it bugged me. And I searched for it, but apparently was spelling it wrong.

Salem

Annndd you just made my day.

At first I though Nuh-eye-ah, but now I think nee-yah is proably right.

warrrreagl

You may also find this to be interesting - children from various cultures all around the world tend to sing that syllable in pairs, and always on the same pitches! The basic pitches - nya nya - are put together in a descending minor third. The first pitch is high and the second pitch is always a minor third lower (for example, the pitches "C" and "A"). There can be several syllables strung together - nya nya nya nya - but they are always sung in the same repetitive descending minor third. This interval tends to be the most universal musical interval to children of all cultures around the world, and its easy to sing because it doesn't contain a half step. Musicologists agree that the basis for most music in worldwide culture is that universal descending minor third.

The song "Rain Rain Go Away" contains the same interval, if you need a comparison. Also, the basketball chant "Air-ball! Air-ball!" is always chanted on the same descending minor third interval as "nya nya."

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Zeraph

Really interesting warrr.

Jetée

I know this thread is dead and all, and has already, for the most part, been a suffice enough explanation to that nagging 'what-if' you had in mind, Zeraph... but I still found it curious that I just came across this.

In my own estimation, this is a portrayal of what the impetus, and action thereof,
a true 'nyah' moment comes into its own, and presents itself (in reality)...


(notice the 'eye pull-down', an extended and jutting tongue being directed at you,
and as it all comes into place, at the moment it happens, can you honestly and
actually hear that distinct 'nyah' sound emanate from her. It's a Japan/Korea/manga/anime/catgirl thing ;
I don't full get it, I do realize it is used as a "playful" insult or reactionary pose for those that have mistreated the perpetrator of this pose.)

__________________
As human beings, our greatness lies not so much in being able to remake the world (that is the myth of the Atomic Age) as in being able to remake ourselves.

—Mohandas K. Gandhi