Michael Scott, the bumbling regional manager of Dunder Mifflin from the US version of The Office, is famous for his myriad of facial expressions. This specific 'meh' reaction—characterized by a slight shrug and a downturned mouth—is a recurring theme in his interactions where he is faced with underwhelming news or forced to attend a boring corporate function. The GIF became popular in the early 2010s as a way to express indifference, mild disappointment, or the feeling of being 'underwhelmed' by a situation. It represents the quintessential office worker's reaction to another 'standard' update or a mundane life event that fails to excite. Michael Scott's character is built on a desperate need to be loved and noticed, so when he is 'meh,' it signals a profound lack of interest that resonates with anyone who has had to fake their way through a corporate meet-and-greet or read a long, pointless email thread.