Meanings of “We are not Amused”
The phrase “we are not amused” means showing discontent. It also refers to the disapproval of something when a person shares a tall-tale or is often giving excuses.
Origin of “We are not Amused”
The phrase “we are not amused” is said to have its initial traces in Notebooks of a Spinster Lady, published in 1919 in which Holland stated that Queen Victoria made the remark at Windsor Castle. It is given as “There is a tale of the unfortunate equerry who ventured during dinner at Windsor to tell a story with a spice of scandal or impropriety in it. We are not amused,” said the Queen when he had finished. Since then, the phrase has been used by various authors showing different shades of meanings.
Examples from Literature
Example #1
We Are Not Amused by Kayak
“We have grown tired to be tyrannized
We’re all fed up with it
Sad to have no heart and no emotions
There’s nothing we haven’t analysed
Fellow computer men
Time has come we start to rule the world
Do you think you know us?
Think you can control us
Don’t you think we’re all confused?
Do you think you know us
Think you can control us
Baby, we are not amused.”
The above stanza from the song sheds light on oppressed life. The speaker sees no happiness around as if the people are devoid of thinking and emotions. It seems that they are programmed to perform certain tasks. Therefore, he urges his fellow computer men or people doing a routine job to liberate themselves from the clutches of slavery and try to bring change in the confused and unhappy world. To him, human beings are not computers; no one can control them. The phrase used in the last line shows the use of it as a metaphor for an unhappy life.
Example #2
We Are Not Amused by Phil Ward
I’m not sure if it’s fact or rumour,
Queen Victoria lost her humour,
Deciding one day she refused,
All attempts to be amused.Some say it was indigestion,
Others claim that’s speculation,
I believe what’s widely known,
That she hurt her funny bone.
This short poem narrates the implied meanings of the phrase. The speaker is not sure if Queen Victoria was actually not amused by the Windsor story. In the second stanza, the speaker talks about the varied opinions of the people about the Queen’s response. Some believe that Queen passed an ironic remark on behalf of her Royal gathering. While, on the other hand, some believe that it’s just speculation. However, the speaker follows the widespread news, noting that the Windsor failed to amuse the great queen. This excerpt shows the use of implied meanings. It means the meanings that are hidden behind the words. The excerpt shows the narrator is going to commit suicide but it is not mentioned anywhere in the excerpt.
Example #3
We Are Not Amused: Victorian Views on Pronunciation as Told in the Pages of Punch by David Crystal
The book talks about the language, especially pronunciation that governs our social and regional identity. Since pronunciation attracts the attention of the satirist. Hence, he traces the origin and pattern of pronunciation used in the Victorian satirical magazine, Punch. The book provides glimpses of the magazine issued at the time of Queen Victoria and brought together the articles and cartoon images that actively poke fun at the subject of pronunciation. Besides, he closely examined the varied accents and dialects of the people and specifically spotlight the accents that became the main source of jokes. He beautifully presents us the time when the class distinction was in full spring and your way pronunciation was the center of attraction. Thus, the phrase used in the title seems correct that jokes, fun, and laughter have to do with pronunciation.
Example #4
We Are Not Amused: Failed Humor in Interaction by Nancy Bell
The book places failed humor in the center and provide an extensive overview of miscommunication. The writer presents us with a range of conversational data to examine why humor fails in some contexts and what are the factors behind that. The book not only highlights the type of failure but also provides suggestions to manage those loopholes. Also, it examines the crucial role of humor in our relationship management and social identity. The phrase shows its use as a connotation in this book.
Example in Sentences
Example #1: “Like various other contestants, she has also made it a point to win the elections. However, the leader was not amused by her performance.”
Example #2: “Last night, we bought expensive tickets for the circus but the joker’s performance was too dull for the excited audience. The manager called the joke and told him that the people were not amused.”
Example #3: “You have had enough late records for the past year. The management is not amused and asked you to report to duty on time unless you want a demotion.”
Example #4: “A government spokesman called a press conference to speak his heart about the incident that occurred last night. While narrating the issue, he said the incident did not amuse the prime minister.”
Example #5: “The script, prepared for an upcoming project, did not amuse the principal.”
