bobby finger

I was asked to explain the difference between NOPE and BYE in an email thread this morning and thought I’d share my response with tumblr, too.

The way I understand it, NOPE conveys one’s personal disapproval with something, whereas BYE is a more active word - a punctuation mark of sorts when presenting upsetting information to others and running away from it.

For example:

When first encountering an upsetting Instagram image, I say, “NOPE” to myself.

After pasting the link to that upsetting Instagram image, I say, “BYE” and remove myself from the conversation.

You, as receivers of the upsetting image, then say, “NOPE” and the circle is closed.

The offerer BYEs. The receiver NOPEs.