Definitions
from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.
- verb idiomatic To undergo a
storyline development which heralds a fundamental and generallydisappointing change indirection . - verb more generally To experience a
decline inquality ,appeal ,popularity , etc.
Etymologies
from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License
From "Hollywood (Part 3)", a 1977 episode of the TV series Happy Days, in which the character Fonzie jumped over a shark on waterskis, after which (supposedly) the show bore no similarity to its original form.
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Examples
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earkin commented on the word jump the shark
In the TV/storyline sense, I always thought "jump the shark" had a "Hail Mary" connotation as well, a desperate cry for attention that leads to a rapid deterioration.
But then colloquially, it might just be used as "over the hill" or reaching the tipping point from an upswing in hipness to a descent into commonplaceness, e.g. "'Cougars' have really jumped the shark now that they are featured in Ocean's Thirteen."
August 5, 2011
EditorMark commented on the word jump the shark
I agree with Emily about the descent into commonplaceness. It's typified by trying to hold on to a theme that once resonated but has since run its course. On Twitter, @willf suggested "jump the shark is the point where it is obvious that something has become irreparably bad."
August 5, 2011