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Top Ten Irritating Phrases

kfw

By kfw
in General Reading and Literature

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kfw

kfw

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Here's blogger Brian Appleyard's explanation of meh's origins.

So the word 'meh' has entered the Collins English Dictionary. Used to express indifference, vague contempt or boredom, the official acceptance of meh is an example of the influence of internet-speak.

As usual, the Americans think they invented it (they think they invented all sorts of things, like baseball and motor cars. Meh!).

However, today I can exclusively reveal the true origins of the word on Thought Experiments. It is a corruption of Auden's magnificently-timed 'Mneh', which features in the sixth stanza of Moon Landing. In context, the meaning is unambiguous.

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Leigh Witchel

Leigh Witchel

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A corollary to the discussion on "How are you."

If you are American, you know the answer is always, "Just fine, thanks" or a variation thereof. If someone who isn't a very close friend asks you "How are you?" and you actually tell them . . . the reaction is usually a pained smile. I remember doing that once in college and realizing that things were pretty bad if I was actually telling someone how I was.

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cubanmiamiboy

cubanmiamiboy

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A corollary to the discussion on "How are you."

If you are American, you know the answer is always, "Just fine, thanks" or a variation thereof. If someone who isn't a very close friend asks you "How are you?" and you actually tell them . . . the reaction is usually a pained smile. I remember doing that once in college and realizing that things were pretty bad if I was actually telling someone how I was.

...I know...pointless. grr! :pinch:

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Ray

Ray

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OK, now I'm getting really picky, but I never liked the sign-off "Best,". Even though I've used it.

Anyone remember the waiter in an episode of Sex and the City who replied to everything Carrie said with "Perfect" (the irony being, of course, that nothing in this scene was)? Glad that never caught on...

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Ray

Ray

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Carrie said with "Perfect" (the irony being, of course, that nothing in this scene was)? Glad that never caught on...

Oh, but it did catch on, just not quite as tenaciously as 'EGGGS-actly.'

I was afraid it had caught on or--even worse--that the script was reporting a trend, not starting one.

OOooo and how about "absolutely" as a more refined version of "you betcha!"

The problem with these is the repetition, isn't it?

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carbro

carbro

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I apologize to no one and everyone. Really, I'm so, so sorry, and I can't even promise never (except for the "ax" thing) to do it again. I never realized how badly I spoke/wrote. This is humiliating.

(Is anyone reading embarrassing offenses on this list and thinking, "Wait! I do that!"? Please let it not be just me. :pinch: )

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Helene

Helene

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Oh goodie, I finally get to say it: Misuse of the word "bemused." :thumbsup: It means bewildered, NOT amused. Far too many people, including journalists, misuse this word as a synonym for "amused."

I just came across a prime example in a photo capture on the International Figure Skating website. In the gala after Skate Canada, the Men's and Ladies' gold medallists, Patrick Chan and Joannie Rochette, both from Canada, were brought on the ice before they skated to subject themselves and the audience to silly banter. Rochette most certainly was not bemused by Chan's comment, and this is obvious from the photo (bottom left).

http://www.ifsmagazine.com/forum/index.php...ost&id=1950

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bart

bart

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Oh, please tell me you knew I was kidding with my "absolutely"
Absolutely, Giannina. I was kidding too. :clapping::clapping:

Re: the "bemused"/"amused" confusion. How about "inferred"/"implied"? A while ago I came across an example in a NY Times blog piece by a fairly major writer.

Just now, I searched for "infer" on BT and can report that Ballet Talkers, at least, use it correcty. If I am permitted to include gestures on a thread devoted to "phrases," how about a big "High 5" for us! :thumbsup:

How about "lookit" for "look." As in: "Lookit! The snow has melted." Or, "lookit" instead of "look at." As in: "Lookit the beautiful detailing." Is this only found in U.S. English? It seems so common that it must be acceptible now. I hardly notice it.

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papeetepatrick

papeetepatrick

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I've never heard anybody complain about this but me, it's a pronunciation that has changed for many over the decades: 'question' is often not pronounced 'ques-chun', but more and more 'quession' or even 'quezzion'. Come on, somebody must have noticed this version of vernacular and colloquial downturn...just like 'a couple beers.'

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Memo

Memo

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"Have fun"

seems to be the most important element of any activity these days, rather than concentrating, working hard, doing your best, or giving your all. Children must feel so confused when they are doing difficult things and struggling with it and constantly being told my adults that they are supposed to be having fun.

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kfw

kfw

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One linguistic fad I find especially ugly is the use of the present tense when it's the past that's being spoken of. For example, "So now he buys . . . " instead of "so then he bought . . ." Sportscasters do this a lot, but I hear talking heads on political shows doing it too.

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