Photo: Unsplash / Sebastián León Prado
We need to talk about important things. That’s what the internet is meant for. It brings us together. It encourages only the most insightful and encouraging debates about urgent topics. Like, deciding how many W’s are supposed to be applied to our universal chirp of approval, encouragement, or general release of joy. Yew’ve heard it plenty. Yeww’ve even blurted it out paddling over the shoulder of a set wave, cheering on the lucky fool racing by. And while the sound itself is simple and universal, yewww’ve always wondered how the hell it’s supposed to be spelled.
We start with asking the people. Again, since this is the internet, we used the most reliable, trusted, and thorough source of all important breaking news and information: Instagram polls.
The people have spoken
What’d we learn? The people like their W’s, agreeing at an overwhelming rate that three W’s make for a proper “Yewww!” Admittedly, the triple-dub feels good. Like a heavy sigh, a good stretch in the morning, or a much-needed cold beer on a hot day. “Yewww” lets it all out. “Yewww” tells everybody within earshot that there is some real enthusiasm behind whatever it is that’s being cheered on. A proper barrel. The wave of the day. The best things in life.
Far from a complete list of proper and improper yewwsages for this term, it feels appropriate to start compiling a list that assigns a definitive number of W’s to the most common interpretations of…it. Consider this a list worth adding to — an evolving historical reference the internet can turn to for years to come.
“Yewww!” – Out the back!
“Yew!” – Sick one.
“Yew!” – Hey, yew on the shoulder. I’m going on this one, don’t burn me here please and thank yew.
“Yeww!” – Seriously, don’t burn me I’m just shouting this to make sure yew look back and don’t go.
“Yeww!” – Everybody in the water, here I am on the beach or cliff, alerting yeww of an incoming set.
“Yeww!” – We’ve just spent 45 minutes talking in the beach parking lot and I am finally driving off.
“Yew!” – Goodbye
“Yeww!” – Hello
“Yewww!” – Anything related to the wave of the day
“Yew!” – When you’re wrapping up The Inertia’s weekly editorial meeting and everybody is saying goodbye.
