As much as I want to go on a cruise next December, I would rather that Nicole and I adopt a much-needed sense of optimism… and allow the money jar to remain empty. However, sometimes we need to hear the truth, adopt a different perspective, and focus on the positive aspects of our lives. I am in no way suggesting we adopt a Pollyanna view of the world, and never share our burdens. We all have that go-to person that we rely on when things are coming undone. We could take that Christmas cruise in no time. If either of us grumbled about our “go to” topics verbally or through texts, we had to put money in the jar. I don’t think I have to tell you that she was more than ready to beat me in yet another competition. I texted Nicole and asked if she would be willing to enter a little challenge with me. One of the characters has to put a dollar in a jar every single time he says something jerky. I am almost certain that she has grown sick of hearing me drone on about the same old, same old. As soon as she brings up that topic, I tune out knowing that there is nothing I can say to move her forward. We each have one particular grievance that seems to dominate our discussions. They inhabit our families and social circles. They sometimes seem to live quite happily in martyrdom. These are the people that are so enthralled in the bad things there never seems to be any room for good things. Negative Nancy and Debbie Downer are stuck in a cycle of perpetual complaining. Negativity Many of us have ran across Debbie Downer, Negative Nancy or Pessimistic Patty in our everyday lives. No real listening or offering of advice is necessary. Our conversations consist of one “woe is me” story after another. Lately, I recognized that Nicole and I had gotten into a bit of a rut. We speak to each other every single day, and have grown to respect and appreciate our differences. However, I am happy to report that these days we share a healthy friendship. Our relationship has not been an easy one. I am tall, clumsy, overly sensitive, and am satisfied with the ribbon given out for simply showing up.
Nicole is petite, athletic, dominant, and competitive. From the beginning, it was clear we were opposites in every way possible. The meaning of DEBBIE DOWNER is a negative or pessimistic person : a person who speaks only of the bad or depressing aspects of something and lessens the. So the next time you’re face to face with a Debbie Downer, or a Lame-o Larry, try to beat them at their own game and force a smile or two.I met her during the summer of 1972.
The dialog eventually makes the cast crack up uncontrollably, and therein lies the beauty of Miss Downer: try as she might to overshadow the fun with brutal facts and anecdotes, she becomes the totality of the joke. Debbie constantly brings up depressing subjects and is a major buzz kill, along with the accompaniment of a wah-wah horn.
In the original 2004 sketch on SNL, a family is on a trip to Disney World, and everyone, except Debbie Downer, is trying to have a blast.
When I got back, the name popped into my head,” Dratch explained in her book, Girl Walks Into A Bar.Ĭlearly this inspirational creature had Jedi Master skills at awkwardness and sucking the fun out of the room. “When I told someone that I was from New York, they asked, ‘Were you there for 9/11?’ The conversation froze.
In modern usage, the personification of Debbie Downer was brought to TV glory by Rachel Dratch on Saturday Night Live in 2004. For example: negative Nancy and Debbie downer.' It’s particularly important to make sure you’re using gender-inclusive language in job descriptions. The term downer typically refers to things that are not uplifting (makes sense). That year seemed to teem with other lively gems such as zoom, scrappily, ultrahazardous, pasteurization, milkshake, mascara and french fry. The printed English lexicon first adopted “downer” in 1886. Who is this Debbie, and why is she so down all the time?