As someone who could maybe/possibly/kinda/sorta/definitely afford to get in better shape, I can’t tell you how much I love the whole “dad bod” phenomenon. In a world where Hollywood is overrun with incredibly good-looking men named Chris who in impeccable shape, it’s nice to know even those of us who aren’t chiseled out of handsome marble can be still be appreciated for what we have to offer. And yet, I still would really prefer not to be the literal definition of the look, which is exactly what just happened to Stranger Things actor David Harbour.
Merriam-Webster tweeted about the term, and as a visual example they included the fantastic GIF of Harbour’s Chief Hopper dancing from Stranger Things 2.
In 'dad bod,' the word 'dad' is technically still a noun. 'Daddest bod,' however, would make it an adjective. https://t.co/m7CyzRLgnH pic.twitter.com/2LnmL1SBnT
— Merriam-Webster (@MerriamWebster) December 8, 2017
It’s unclear if they meant that as a compliment or not—since the phrase “dad bod” refers to someone who is not in shape—but it doesn’t feel like it was. However, because he’s the best, Harbour had the perfect reaction.
Holy hell @MerriamWebster .
The old joke. When you look up ______ in the dictionary you see his face.
Now I am living in this joke. https://t.co/Bi5mXHLyBi
— David Harbour (@DavidKHarbour) December 8, 2017
Who would have ever considered the possibility they would one day become the actual answer to that joke and it would be shared with the entire world. It’s a strange new world we live in.
But don’t feel too badly for Harbour, because our bet is the dictionary used that GIF because after Stranger Things 2Â the internet was complimenting him by saying he was the best “dad bod” around.
I can’t believe you assholes wasted “dad bod†on a bunch of absolute chumps BEFORE @DavidKHarbour had his moment
— Danielle Henderson (@knottyyarn) November 12, 2017
And that was a sentiment he had no problem embracing.
danielle, go easy on them. there's no way they could have known that i would emerge from brief character appearances in movies you never saw and come jiggling and flapping with all my excess midsection into the limelight. i stand on the soft shoulders of great dad bods before me https://t.co/4hwfhDtolY
— David Harbour (@DavidKHarbour) November 12, 2017
There are worse things than being considered the best looking member of a certain type. Still, when it comes to being the official dictionary definition of the “dad bod,” better him than me.
What “definition” would you hate to be the most? Which one would you love to be? Tell us why in the comments below.
Need More Stranger Things?
- Watch this amazing fan film set in the UK.
- Watch Gaten Matarazzo and Joe Keery answer the internet’s questions.
- And finally, here’s what the gang would look like as X-Men.
Featured Image: Netflix
