Words or phrases that drive you mad

CheeseCat

Agree with loads of these! I've not read through it all so I hope nobody has mentioned it yet but it really bugs me recently when people say 'some pennies' meaning money.

"i'll have to check if I have some pennies first" :mad:

Sounds like something toddlers would say to each other not grown adults!

zaksmum

Standing behind someone at the bus stop who was speaking to her friend, I heard "So I turned round and said.....then she turned round and said....so then I turned round and said..." Seemed to be so much turning round I'm surprised they weren't too dizzy to say anything!

kathleenryd

Twopints wrote: »

I blame Dire Straits.

I blame 'rappers'

kathleenryd

kathleenryd wrote: »

I blame 'rappers'

'texting' ....I think this has affected childrens' ability to deliver correct spelling and grammar. 'I only spell it like this when I am texting!!' This is while they are still learning to read.
Pity their teachers.

ellay864

kathleenryd wrote: »

'texting' ....I think this has affected childrens' ability to deliver correct spelling and grammar. 'I only spell it like this when I am texting!!' This is while they are still learning to read.
Pity their teachers.

I don't have a problem with using abbreviations or 'shorthand' in text as to me that's a medium where shorter is better. But plenty of people who use text speak are certainly old enough to have learnt how to do it properly when they should. It isn't that difficult to keep the two separate

ellay864

And, while I'm getting into my stride, are there no proof-readers anymore? I drove down a main road near me last week and there was a 'proper' sign (i.e. printed metal sign, not a hand-written bit of card) warning of 'Site enterance ahead'. And a pub near me used to have a very nice banner on it's railings proclaiming 'proffesional function's caterred for'

starrystarry

no1catman wrote: »

starrystarry:

Actor/Actress - I don't see them as being 'occupational' just good grammar - males who act -are termed 'actors' while females who act are termed 'actresses' - in my dictionary and the one before it. Though pehaps such terms have become, unisexual or gender neutral. Though, that IMHO would make for some contradictions - seeing a comment in print of a beautiful actor, compared to a beautiful actress gives a whole different image!!

That's a good point. Although I think the word "beautiful" is becoming more unisex as well now. I can think of several men I'd describe as beautiful (David Beckham, Josh Holloway, Brad Pitt). I don't think it necessarily means someone looks feminine anymore. Language evolves I guess.

kathleenryd

The latest phrase to make me cringe is 'here's the thing'.
It's getting more and more popular. What does it mean? There is never a 'thing'.

Azari

kathleenryd wrote: »

The latest phrase to make me cringe is 'here's the thing'.
It's getting more and more popular. What does it mean? There is never a 'thing'.

That's been around for a very long time.

One that has been annoying me a lot lately as it seems to be getting used more and more is: "don't get me wrong".

If you think you've not clearly stated your position and your words are likely to induce people to believe that you mean something you don't, reword what you said to make yourself clear.

kathleenryd

Azari wrote: »

That's been around for a very long time.

One that has been annoying me a lot lately as it seems to be getting used more and more is: "don't get me wrong".

If you think you've not clearly stated your position and your words are likely to induce people to believe that you mean something you don't, reword what you said to make yourself clear.

Yes - that's like 'I'm not being funny but...'
Re 'here's the thing' are politicians using it more often?