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What’s wrong with ‘contacting’?

(89 Posts)
Marydoll Thu 05-Oct-23 20:21:07

Believe it or not, I'm a pedant, so I should be bothered. However, I have always had a love of languages and and interest how they develop.

I once had to translate a part of the The Faerie Queene, as part of an assignment, there were very few words, anyone would recognise today. That what happens.
Social media also plays a part in language evolution. Nowadays, few have time to write novellas, like wot I do!. wink

Casdon Thu 05-Oct-23 20:11:14

I agree with Marydoll, language evolves constantly so what’s not to like (sorry to the purists, that’s another expression you frown on I’m sure).
I particularly like ‘my bad’, it doesn’t just mean a mistake - it’s an apology, an admission of guilt, a regret for a poor decision, and it’s sincere.
I’m with Urmstongran on ‘reaching out’ though, it sounds so false.

Cabbie21 Thu 05-Oct-23 19:51:58

I agree that all the above are degrading the language.
I am pleased that my 15 year old grandson always says Please may I have…? Even to a waitress in a restaurant. No getting or grabbing.

Marydoll Thu 05-Oct-23 18:46:09

Language evolves all the time. It doesn't really bother to me.

glammanana Thu 05-Oct-23 18:33:08

Can I get instead of May I have and this new one My Bad instead of My mistake whats it all about I ask ?

LadyGaGa Thu 05-Oct-23 18:05:46

Yes silverlining48 it’s even worse when my AC say. ‘We’re just going to grab some food’ 😝

BigBertha1 Thu 05-Oct-23 18:05:24

I hate it too but not quite as much as 'Can I get'!

LadyGaGa Thu 05-Oct-23 18:01:58

‘Go for food’ instead of ‘going out for a meal’

Georgesgran Thu 05-Oct-23 18:01:36

Octopus have thanked me for reaching out to them - it’s a bl**dy complaint, not a compliment!

silverlining48 Thu 05-Oct-23 17:55:23

I dislike ‘ grabbing’ grab this grab that…

Desdemona Thu 05-Oct-23 17:53:08

Another modern crappy phrase...such things come and go. I must try to think of some from the seventies.

Lets all think of some.

crazyH Thu 05-Oct-23 17:46:50

The only ‘reaching out’ I do is when my little grandson stands 3 steps from the bottom of the staircase and shouts ‘catch me nanny’ x

Blossoming Thu 05-Oct-23 17:40:56

I don’t like it, especially when used in business communications. It sounds so unprofessional.

Urmstongran Thu 05-Oct-23 17:39:06

So many seem to be ‘reaching out’ these days? It sounds overly needy to me.