Word for the emotion behind "D'oh!"

Question

What is the name of the emotion that you feel when you accidentally make a mistake? Such as when you clumsily drop a bowl and it shatters? In the Simpsons, Homer says "D'oh!" when this sort of thing happens.

I don't think it's "regret", because you didn't do it on purpose. "Chagrined", perhaps? Is there a more common word for this emotion?

@EdwinAshworth I guess so. I guess I'm looking for a word that also reflects your embarassment at what you've done. Something halfway between frustration (which doesn't focus on yourself) and embarassment (which puts too much focus on yourself). I think. Frustassment perhaps? — Jonathan Aquino, Apr 24 '14 at 16:48
I remember Kryten trying to master emotions in Red Dwarf: 'I'm working on ambivalence'. — Edwin Ashworth, Apr 24 '14 at 16:57
Sticking to words created/popularised by The Simpsons, how about “I’m edgy, I got ants in my pants, I’m discombobulated!* Get me a calmative!”* – Abe “Grampa” Simpson — FumbleFingers, Apr 24 '14 at 17:44
@FumbleFingers While Grampa is often confused, I don't think he is ever sheepish. — bib, Apr 24 '14 at 18:21
@JonathanAquino I think frustassment is a perfectly cromulent word. — Roger, Apr 25 '14 at 18:35
What's the opposite of schadenfreude?
http://english.stackexchange.com/questions/61008/whats-the-antonym-for-schadenfreude — , Apr 28 '14 at 11:48
What's the opposite of schadenfreude?
http://english.stackexchange.com/questions/61008/whats-the-antonym-for-schadenfreude — , Apr 28 '14 at 11:50
What's the opposite of schadenfreude?
http://english.stackexchange.com/questions/61008/whats-the-antonym-for-schadenfreude — , Apr 28 '14 at 11:52
My dad would always say "Ickim!", short for "I could kick myself!" — Michael Paulukonis, May 01 '14 at 20:23

score 22 · Answer 1 · answered Apr 24 '14 at 17:51

22

sheepishness - showing or feeling embarrassment especially because you have done something foolish or wrong

answered Apr 24 '14 at 17:51

FumbleFingers

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In mind mind, "sheepish" implies one is more quiet and reserved due to their embarrassment, whereas "D'oh!" is often exclaimed loudly. That could just be me though. – Alex A. Apr 24 '14 at 20:09
@Alex: Well, this forum posting by one "Preacher" seems perfectly "normal" to me: [sheepishly] D'oh!* I didn't think of that. Thx. [/sheepishly]*. That could be just him though. – FumbleFingers Apr 24 '14 at 21:29

score 17 · Answer 2 · answered Apr 24 '14 at 22:52

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The official term for Homer's "D'oh!" is "annoyed grunt," so strictly speaking, the adjective would be annoyed.

I admit, it doesn't really convey the emotional force of the interjection. Perhaps Homerically annoyed would be more fitting.

answered Apr 24 '14 at 22:52

Reinstate Monica -- notmaynard

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@T.Rob It's how he whines dark, see? – Apr 25 '14 at 15:21

score 15 · Accepted Answer · answered Apr 24 '14 at 16:48

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While I think your suggested chagrin may be most on point, you also might use

embarrassment

humiliation

mortification

discomfiture

vexation

discomposure

In a sense, D'oh is a sort of onomatopoetic representation of the slapping of the forehead while exclaiming, I feel like a dope!

answered Apr 24 '14 at 16:48

bib

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I liked vexation. – Cruncher Apr 24 '14 at 20:07
the original chagrin is one I have not seen in a long time and seems well on target. the others are also mostly appropriate – WestCoastProjects Apr 25 '14 at 19:57
Yes, I think chagrin is probably best. The dictionary defines it as "Distress or embarassment at having failed or been humiliated". – Jonathan Aquino Apr 28 '14 at 14:07

score 12 · Answer 4 · answered Apr 24 '14 at 22:45

12

I would say "consternation" is a good synonym for "d'oh". It captures the embarrassment and frustration.

answered Apr 24 '14 at 22:45

peter

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Gary's Student · Answer 5 · 2014-04-25T12:13:33.017

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Chagrin is a good word or vexation . Many would say:

"I feel clumsy."

although "clumsy" is not a feeling.

edited Apr 25 '14 at 12:13

answered Apr 24 '14 at 16:44

Gary's Student

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@BrianHooper You are correct.........do you suggest I edit my answer?? – Gary's Student Apr 25 '14 at 11:10

score 1 · Answer 6 · answered Apr 25 '14 at 03:13

1

How about "flustered"?

It's closest I can think of to combining an element of personal embarrassment with a flash of frustration at the situation. It implies a response with a quick onset and brief span.

Of course that's just if "d'oh" refers to something you personally precipitated. It can be used in very different contexts, e.g. sympathizing with a friend's misfortune, or just frustration at something that happened to you.

answered Apr 25 '14 at 03:13

sosiouxme

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Flustered carries an element of confusion with it, "D'oh!" does not as normally used. "D'oh?" on the other hand... – Mr.Mindor Apr 25 '14 at 15:26
I don't know if "flustered" carries confusion so much as "finding things not as expected and having a hard time recovering". You certainly could be confused by that, or it might be immediately evident what went wrong. – sosiouxme Apr 27 '14 at 21:32

score 1 · Answer 7 · answered Apr 25 '14 at 23:06

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"Foolish" immediately comes to mind.

Other words with the same meaning include:

thoughtless
harebrained
imprudent
foolhardy
silly

And some more informal words:

stupid
idiotic
witless
brainless
dumb
dimwitted
halfwitted

answered Apr 25 '14 at 23:06

Doorknob

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OK - most of these aren't emotions though. – Jonathan Aquino Apr 26 '14 at 23:18
@Jonathan Why not? "I feel foolish." I suppose you could add -ness to all of these if they need to be nouns. – Doorknob Apr 27 '14 at 14:47
Hm - I think these are judgements/evaluations rather than emotions/feelings. – Jonathan Aquino Apr 28 '14 at 13:56

score 0 · Answer 8 · answered Apr 27 '14 at 00:31

It is a concatenation/combination of "Duh" and "Oh", which should be obvious. It can be looked at as a combination of "It's obvious" and "now I get it". If you check the dictionary, the definition is: "The feeling someone has after reading the above description."

The above response is the result of 8 hours of writing Java code.

score 0 · Answer 9 · answered Apr 27 '14 at 00:35

0

Does "d'oh!" perhaps have an element of rueful or self-reproving?

answered Apr 27 '14 at 00:35

Yee-Lum

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score 0 · Answer 10 · answered May 01 '14 at 03:30

I don't think a word should be defined by the way any one character uses it. "D'oh" was used by Jimmy Finlayson in most if not all of the 33 Laurel and Hardy shorts he appeared in. His was an expression of pure exasperation. Homer's is a different, I think reflecting a certain insecurity that never burdened Finlayson.

Word for the emotion behind "D'oh!"

10 Answers10