whatever
The word 'whatever' has acquired an attitude. It's the word teenagers mutter deadpan or with sighs and rolled eyes. It was the word spoken by a concierge in a US hotel that caused Russell Crowe to snap and throw the phone at him.
The fifth edition of the Collins Australian Dictionary published last year has even added a new meaning for 'whatever': 'informal — an expression used to show indifference or dismissal'. In The Evasion English Dictionary, New York poet Maggie Balistreri defines 11 uses of 'whatever':
-
Apathetic whatever (Yeah so? Oh, I'm immature? Whatever.)
-
Pseudo-impartial whatever (Who am I to judge? She's dating the boss. Whatever.)
-
Self-pitying whatever (Never mind I did all the work but whatever.)
-
Slow-thaw whatever (Him: I'm sorry. Let's have dinner. Her: Whatever.)
-
Emotion-kibosh whatever (Dad, whatever, it's just a tattoo.)
-
Evasion-evader whatever (So now she's mad at me. Whatever.)
-
Jealous whatever (His uncle got him the job but whatever.)
-
Minced-oath whatever (Her: This kitchen is a pit. Him: Whatever.)
-
Faltering cliché whatever (That way you can get closure or whatever.)
-
Bashful whatever (I just feel such total love or whatever.)
-
Doubting Thomas whatever (He said he lost my phone number and I'm, like, whatever.)
Reference: David Astle, Like, whatever ... , Sunday Life, 4 September, 2005
More grammar tips, grammar e-book and e-newsletter
If you found this tip useful, you might like to read more grammar tips, sign up for the e-newsletter and buy

Grammar
Style guide 