hated expressions
Posted by: Dan M on 09 April 2004
The expression that is currently driving me crazy whenever I hear it is:
"Are you still working on that?"
Uttered by nearly all restaurant waitstaff when you pause to talk during your meal. A thinly vailed attempt to move you out so the next punter can be fed. And since when is having a meal out supposed to be work? Argghhh.
THis is closely followed by any Pentagon expression for the latest Iraqi operation - "operation (insert self-righteous B.S.)"
Anyone else care to rant on phrases that automatically induce a locked jaw?
Dan
[This message was edited by Dan M on Fri 09 April 2004 at 15:47.]
Posted on: 16 April 2004 by nodrog
Is this silly spat still going on?
Really, Trevor, I think if you can't see the idiocy of complaining about standards of English, whilst at the same time not maintaining your own (for reasons of "brevity" or otherwise) you are a fool.
Ross, I wouldn't bother, if I were you. He's too easy a target to hit, smack in the bullseye, every time.
Peter
Posted on: 16 April 2004 by Dan M
quote:
Originally posted by Joe Petrik:
... It reminds me a bit of a former professor of mine, the quintessentially British Dr. Locke, who spent an hour berating students for their lack of brevity in essays.
Joe,
Just how old are you?
Dan
Posted on: 16 April 2004 by Joe Petrik
Dan,
quote:
Just how old are you?
Probably not the Dr. Locke you were thinking of. This is the
guy I referred to.
Joe
P.S. 39
Posted on: 16 April 2004 by Rasher
I fail to see why Trevor can't voice an opinion on grammer whilst still maintaining his own chosen shorthand. What is the problem? I know it smacks of being slightly hypocritical, but hey, who isn't sometimes!
Posted on: 17 April 2004 by JeremyD
quote:
Originally posted by Nigel Cavendish:
...Also nouns used as verbs:This from a UK commentator on the Masters "he carded 72"; from an athletics event " she podiumed in her last event"
I'm afraid I find verbing has a certain forbidden appeal, although I'm not a frequent verber.
---
"Like I said" - so many people say it, nowadays, that I have almost learnt not to wince when I hear it. Like I said, almost... Oops.
Posted on: 17 April 2004 by Trevor Newall
quote:
Originally posted by Rasher:
I fail to see why Trevor can't voice an opinion on grammar whilst still maintaining his own chosen shorthand.
rasher, some people just like arguing for the sake of it.
TN
Posted on: 17 April 2004 by John Channing
Peter Kay in Live from the Bolton Albert Halls pokes fun at a lot of ridiculous saying. Definitely worth a watch, it's hilarious.
John
Posted on: 17 April 2004 by TomK
quote:
Originally posted by Trevor Newall:
rasher, some people just like arguing for the sake of it.
TN
No they don't.
Posted on: 18 April 2004 by BigH47
One just come up in the "Math Problem" thread:-
"its a well known fact that...." its not of course,just away of saying I knew you did'nt. Matched by the "the programme everyone is watching" the record " everyone is buying" and "everyone will be reading about who Becks is shagging in tommorows......."
Howard
Posted on: 19 April 2004 by Brian OReilly
We had to add the olive oil to the Carpaccio ourselves last night and this triggered a migraine thinking about people who "drizzle" olive oil onto their food....
We just poured a small amount....
Brian OReilly
Posted on: 27 April 2004 by Fisbey
I know this might upset some, but when people comment about a meal they've just had and then say 'washed down with'....
Posted on: 27 April 2004 by Former member
"Oh...my...god."
Combine this with the horrible "I'm like ...." used by young people, and you get:
"I'm like ... oh...my...god"
as I heard the other day (not for the first time) from a young woman yelling into a mobile phone - and the nausea is overpowering.
Ross
Posted on: 27 April 2004 by JonR
On the subject of mobile phones, and at the risk of being slightly off-topic, something else that regularly inspires nausea is the expeience of someone TALKING VERY VERY VERY LOUDLY INTO THEIR MOBILE PHONES on pubic transport, obviously to let the rest of us pleb commuters know that there is someone else in his/her life that likes him/her enough to phone them on their sodding mobile...aaaarrrggghh!!!!
Posted on: 27 April 2004 by Brian OReilly
quote:
Originally posted by JonR:
On the subject of mobile phones,
And what about The Walk ? You know, The Walk. When the user stands up and walks toward the area with the biggest audience (captive, naturally).
And letting the damm thing ring with one of those effing annoying tones until everyone within a one mile radius has registered that the twunt is receiving a call.
Bastards
Brian OReilly
Posted on: 28 April 2004 by Nigel Cavendish
Listening to the commentary on the London Marathon, it is clear that athletes do not drink anymore they "take water on board".
cheers
Nigel
Posted on: 28 April 2004 by BigH47
Loud talking in resturants/cafes so the whole place has to hear their usually innane conversation.
"twunt" what a great word, should get through most nanny programmes.
Howard
Posted on: 29 April 2004 by Former member
One of my least favourite terms is "Cool!"
- unfortunately overused by my 14 year old son;
the other day he asked how old the lounge carpet was, and then said ~
when we change it, we should get underfloor heating; 'that would be cool!'
Keith, the Pedant, replied _
'No, warm is what we want here!!'
'If it's Cool we've got the wrong heating!'
Mutter, mutter , grimace from Richard ....
Posted on: 29 April 2004 by BigH47
Keith
Don't go there, you won't get anywhere with logic. Bad is good, cool is hot, cold, good, great etc. I now just nod and say whatever or great it seems to suffice as conversation. I stiil get "why did'nt you remember xyz, I told you about it" I just say "in english next time" cue harrumphs etc.
Howard
Posted on: 29 April 2004 by bornwina
Newsreaders who say 'schedule' when it's 'schedule'
'in this day and age'
Ending a sentence with a raise in tone as if questioning (Basingstoke pram pushers speciality)
Lots of things make my s**t itch - virtually anything uttered by the general public during my working day in fact.
Posted on: 30 April 2004 by Rasher
Keith - Suddenly feel middle-aged eh? One of those "Oh God - I sound like my mother" moments
Posted on: 30 April 2004 by Former member
Rasher,
Yes-
I found a lot to identify with on the
'Grumpy Old Men' series!
Keith
(Proud never to have sent a text message!)
Posted on: 30 April 2004 by Tim Oldridge
BigH47: didn't (not did'nt), please.
Timo
Posted on: 30 April 2004 by BigH47
Picky picky. Following on from various threads I have tried to not upset people by using apostophes and CAPITOLS. My get out is that like my smelling they might not be in the rite plaice or correkt.
Sorry
Howard
Posted on: 30 April 2004 by Not For Me
Bornwina / Keith J
I have just 'airported' my New Zealand relatives. The boy (13) says 'cool' as a response to nearly all questions and in every conversation, AND goes up at the end of the senTENCE!
It drives me potty!
DS
OTD - Sheep on Drugs - Motorbike
Posted on: 04 May 2004 by Richard S
"Research shows.."
To justify any old load of cobblers. In the context of lazy journalists who never look at context or such arcane concepts as whether it was peer reviewed.
Better now after getting that off my chest.
regards
Richard S
