Why do people keep adding this to their comments? Are they checking notes? Why do they feel the need to point it out if they are? Why are they saying they are if they aren’t? It’s like me adding “scratching head” to my comment, which I just did, but I have no idea why that adds anything to the conversation.
You must log in or register to comment.
It’s a joke. They are pretending they can’t remember the very obvious/absurd/silly/etc thing, so they have to check their notes before finishing the thought.
I think it might have its origin in courtroom dramas having prosecutors being catty with the defense but that’s just a barely informed guess tbh
For dramatization, when some event is so stupidly, unexpectedly bizarre that you have to check your figurative notes to make sure you’re not just remembering a fever dream. Example:
America is rolling back renewable energy development to promote the use of beautiful, clean… (checks notes…) coal, of all fucking things.
Checks notes it’s for dramatization, joke, etc.
Its similar to a dramtic… . . . . . . . .
…… … pause!
checks notes
Not sure I didn’t write anything down I was just doodling
I believe it came from the popularity of Jon Stewart who often uses it as a joke catch phrase.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Catchphrase
People picked up on it and use it to imitate this style.
Personally, I initially saw a version of it in Sluggy Freelance.
And every courtroom drama, like checks notes My Cousin Vinny.
I looked at the script and it’s not in My Cousin Vinny. Is it ad-libbed somewhere?
Sarcasm
Life, uh, finds a way Life… Finds a way Life [checks notes] finds a way
Life, finds a way Life [deep breath] finds a way Life [lean away from the microphone to breathe in] finds a way Life [scratches head] finds a way?
Life [gestures vaguely to day care center] finds a wayThey are performative modifiers to add visual context to text. Imagine you’re reading a script for a play. The author adds notes like some of the examples above, in a similar format, in order to better convey what they want the actors to do, by text alone, to better convey the author’s intent to the audience.
John Stewart on the Daily Show, look him up
We all got our verbal tics. Also an attempt to add some more complexity to our communication, since we’re missing things like facial expressions or body language or environmental cues.
I see it as “Looks back at history and sigh heavily” but with fewer words.
It’s :checksnotes: sarcasm.
