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'Reaching out '

(64 Posts)
Aveline Wed 27-Aug-25 11:02:54

Since when did the oleaginous 'reaching out' become a substitute for just plain 'contacting' or even just emailing?
I find it nauseating and instantly take against anyone who thanks me for 'reaching out'. Pah. Modern life.

fancythat Wed 27-Aug-25 11:03:51

Language changes. I know not how.

eddiecat78 Wed 27-Aug-25 11:10:12

Absolutely hate it especially when we are thanked for reaching out and told they will be in touch shortly (and then don't).
Also hate "thankyou for sharing that"

Calendargirl Wed 27-Aug-25 11:16:58

Agree, ridiculous phrase.

Magenta8 Wed 27-Aug-25 11:17:43

Regrettably, I think we just have to put up with the "I'm here for you", "I see where you are coming from" and worst of all "I feel your pain" school of non-communication.

Aveline Wed 27-Aug-25 11:24:26

People have 'always got your back' too.

PoliticsNerd Wed 27-Aug-25 11:32:13

Why isn't the on the pedants thread (just asking!).

We live in a world where everything is less tangible so perhaps it's an effort to recreate connection and more physical communication. Or it could have come from America where they have a lot less subtext so need more ways to say things that we say more directly but with tone, body language and convention playing their part.

Lathyrus3 Wed 27-Aug-25 11:56:21

Magenta8

Regrettably, I think we just have to put up with the "I'm here for you", "I see where you are coming from" and worst of all "I feel your pain" school of non-communication.

Or we could just say “Blah, blah, blah” to cover them all….

Babs03 Wed 27-Aug-25 12:02:25

Sounds like Americanisms, our language is full of them, don’t think it works vice versa though, is probs down to all the films and TV programmes we watch from the US.
A neighbour of mine said ‘I see you’ the other day and I wondered if she had a visual impairment that had been resolved, but she explained that she could see what I was doing for my DH who has had a stroke.
Very strange thing to say.

Sandgrownun Wed 27-Aug-25 12:14:48

The only time I'm going to be reaching out is when I have to stretch to get something from a top shelf at the supermarket.

I don't know when people started "speaking to" but both grammar and word meanings now change so rapidly it can be difficult to keep up.

Films and programmes now drop or have just landed...I wonder if they have parachutes?

Language develops constantly but it seems to have morphed and is being changed for no good reason.

We're also supposedly "excited" to read we have an upcoming appointment.

It appear some people have got rather giddy trying to Americanise UK English when it worked perfectly well as it was.

ClicketyClick Wed 27-Aug-25 12:23:13

People sharing their journey when they mean their experience. Argh!

mumofmadboys Wed 27-Aug-25 12:27:03

Experiential learning centres for outdoor activities!

merlotgran Wed 27-Aug-25 16:32:30

Instead of, ‘To tell you the truth,’ we get, ‘I’m not gonna lie.’

merlotgran Wed 27-Aug-25 17:25:42

For the avoidance of doubt.

BlueBelle Wed 27-Aug-25 17:37:56

And husbands who say WE are pregnant…. No you are not pregnant you made the partner pregnant but YOU yourself are NOT pregnant

Allira Wed 27-Aug-25 17:39:58

merlotgran

Instead of, ‘To tell you the truth,’ we get, ‘I’m not gonna lie.’

Or "to be honest"
Go on, live a little, tell me a lie!

merlotgran 😁

silverlining48 Wed 27-Aug-25 17:50:32

I don’t like the terms grab yourself something, we used to get told it’s rude to grab

Also dislike can I get instead of can I have or I would like.
I always want to say yes it’s in the kitchen on a shelf by the door…or something similar.

These are Americanisms which we keep picking up.
Well I don’t actually, but the youngsters do. I have found myself correcting my gc but it has little effect.

At least we don’t say bathrooms… not yet anyway.

RosieandherMaw Wed 27-Aug-25 17:53:50

merlotgran

Instead of, ‘To tell you the truth,’ we get, ‘I’m not gonna lie.’

I never minded when Nessa used to say it on Gavin & Stacey

granfromafar Wed 27-Aug-25 17:58:19

merlotgran

For the avoidance of doubt.

Love that. ❤️

Babs03 Wed 27-Aug-25 18:06:52

As well as ‘I’m not gonna lie’ we also get ‘to be fair’

merlotgran Wed 27-Aug-25 18:24:56

I never minded when Nessa used to say it on Gavin & Stacey

Yep! She’s allowed.

GrannyGravy13 Wed 27-Aug-25 18:32:11

Message can say what she likes 👍

The only things I will be found reaching out for is a glass of wine or a passing GC for a hug 🫂🍷

GrannyGravy13 Wed 27-Aug-25 18:32:58

Message I previewed and my post definitely said Nessa 🤬🤬🤬

Oreo Wed 27-Aug-25 18:58:55

ClicketyClick

People sharing their journey when they mean their experience. Argh!

Oh yeah! Pass the sick bag🤢

Oreo Wed 27-Aug-25 19:00:46

BlueBelle

And husbands who say WE are pregnant…. No you are not pregnant you made the partner pregnant but YOU yourself are NOT pregnant

Do some men really say this? How idiotic.