What began as a simple joke delivered with impeccable timing by the most awkward character on a brilliant television show that was British but was adapted for American TV has become more important than the show itself. The phrase has become a movement. That’s what she said has come to define a generation that lives by the values of the phrase itself.
Contrary to popular practice, it isn’t a generation defined by birth year. Rather, it is a generation defined by an attitude. An attitude of rebellion. Rebellion against societal norms, political correctness, social taboos, and maturity. Aptly dubbed Mifflins, this generation is a champion for raw sexual energy and awkward situations. They search every word that slams against their eardrums for the chance to pervert. Phrases such as, “It was sloppy,” or “I’ll have the fish taco, please,” or “I rode a big spaceship yesterday and it squirted fuel on my blouse” are immediately recognized as softballs lobbed over the middle of the plate, waiting to be smashed by the cruel bat of That’s what she said. These real life, perfectly normal phrases are instantly turned into ideas in a Mifflins’ mind that should only live in the pages of a script for a movie that comes in an unmarked box from the “special section” of the video store. The Mifflins are a unique generation that span age, race, gender, sexual preference, and socioeconomic status. They are pushing the envelope of societal acceptance everyday with their minds and with their mouths.
Although regarded by some as a talent and a comedic gem, being a Mifflin can also be a curse. Mifflins are often haunted by the inability to look past their mental gutters to the true meaning of the words and phrases spoken to them by their mothers, fathers, teachers, bosses, children, in-laws, and anyone else on the planet. They have an extremely hard time understanding the true meaning of conversations because their minds are constantly searching for the next That’s what she said nugget.
Where does this leave us then? We have a generation filled with the comedic zest of one of the greats of our time, but who, at the same time, cannot even comprehend daily conversations.
The answer is clear. Let it ride. The Mifflin generation is young. They have much to learn. Soon they will master their art of perverted listening. They will learn how to recognize comedic gems without actively trying, granting a healthy balance between this perverted listening and regular listening. Ultimately allowing them to comprehend like the rest of society.
Although this generation was born from a simple joke, it was also born with impeccable timing. No other time in history would have been right for the Mifflins. They will thrive. And while they still have a lot to learn, they also have a lot to teach our society.
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