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Pedants' corner

Over used unnessary phrases

(118 Posts)
vampirequeen Wed 28-Nov-12 17:00:19

Basically, at this moment in time, in my opinion I think some phrases are totally overused in conversation. To be frank and not to put too finer point on it, it seems to me that as we reduce our use of vowels to text we are increasing the number of words we use when speaking.

I'm not being funny but are there any overused phrases that drive you insane?

grin

JessM Sat 01-Dec-12 19:45:02

and I think we had a whole long thread on the h word earlier this year. you know the one. everyone is on these days.

Ana Sat 01-Dec-12 19:47:35

You mean the Happy ones? (at this time of year, anyway!)

iuwsfiuiuhsfdkj Sun 02-Dec-12 01:25:14

Message deleted by Gransnet.

YankeeGran Sun 02-Dec-12 17:07:24

JessM beat me to it. . LIKE I can't bear GOING FORWARD

Deedaa Sun 02-Dec-12 22:34:47

Working in a coffee shop I was swamped with people saying "Can I get a coffee?" unfortunately I wasn't allowed to say "Only if you say may I have?" of "Yes you can get them all over the place, would you like to buy one here?"(Pedantic? Moi?)
Also, if I hear the word Legacy once more I may well run mad in the street (To quote my mother)

aitch Mon 03-Dec-12 09:41:33

I've never been able to figure out how anyone "falls pregnant" but as no-one else seems to object does that make me a pedant? I would be soooooooooo devastated.

aitch Mon 03-Dec-12 09:44:17

Forgot to add my hatred of all things "faux"

chrisy Sat 08-Dec-12 11:43:25

A stitch in time saves nine

Ana Sat 08-Dec-12 12:00:44

What's wrong with that one? It's true - or was in the days when people actually used to mend things....hmm

broomsticks Thu 13-Dec-12 16:43:43

'To be honest' it means someone's about to be rude (or maybe that's just in my family).

Anne58 Thu 13-Dec-12 17:02:44

My late MIL (of my first husband) had 2 phrases that always raised the alarm, "Not being funny but " was one and the other was "I know it's not a very nice thing to talk about but ". The second was usually followed by a graphic description of either a rather gross medical condition or the output from some orifice or other.

Ana Thu 13-Dec-12 17:21:49

"D'you mind if I say something?" always seems to be a request for permission to say something that you do mind!

Alexa Sun 20-Jan-13 19:26:59

Is there any use for "the majority of" (six syllables) when "most" (one syllable) would do?

specki4eyes Sun 20-Jan-13 21:26:14

I go freakin mental when someone says "I'm (76) years OF AGE. What the heck does that mean? How could it mean anything other than age? Is it that they can't say OLD? And on that subject, when someone says "I'm (76) years YOUNG .... ooh !!!!!

gracesmum Sun 20-Jan-13 22:01:49

I love this when passing on a piece of juicy gossip - "I promised not to repeat this so I will tell you only once...." (not as if I would evergrin)

RobertJunior Wed 03-Apr-13 10:03:06

Apparently the top annoying phrase in 2012 was
"to be honest"
This statement is generally followed by a big fib or a veiled insult or other barbed comment.

Eloethan Wed 03-Apr-13 10:38:19

After tragedy and/or disgrace - "Lessons to be learned" - especially when I suspect they probably won't be.