Expressions You Hate

[Rod Sheridan]

"And then I was, like walking down the road"..........A speech pattern my youngest daughter used for some time.

It always resulted in me saying " I don't want to hear what it was like, tell me what it really is" . That of course, resulted in me receiving the "oh Dad" look.


I also find it odd when people say "Uh huh" instead of " You're Welcome".

Regards, Rod.

[Charles Wiggins]

"It is what it is"

Well sure, of course it is. At least it isn't what it isn't.

I actually like this one when used properly, basically to say, "This situation isn't changing any time soon. Roll with it."

[Charles Wiggins]

My daughter hates it when I ask her, "What's up?" Her wise apple answers are usually: "My age" or "The sky".

When anyone asks me, "What's up?" I start looking at the ceiling or the sky like I am trying to figure that out.

[John K Jordan]

"You welcome" instead of "you are welcome" or "you're welcome".
That seems to have started a few years ago among the 16-22 years old crowd. Every meal at a fast food place was a challenge not to say, "thank you" lest I got that reply.

I tire of the response "No problem" to my "Thank you."

[Yonak Hawkins]

It's age old : You can't fight the new manner of speaking. Snarky comments only make you a fuddy duddy (to interject an old "new way of speaking").

[Joe Tilson]

My mother used to say,"What in the world are you doing?", rather loudly when we were doing something she ask us to do in the first place. We probably weren't doing it just the way she thought it should be.

[Brian Tymchak]

My DIL, a teacher, cannot utter a sentence without the word "like". I hate it.

feel the same way with the word "actually". Drives me nuts.

[Brian Tymchak]

the very condescending .."I think what you are trying to say..." to cover the fact that the listener is incompetent..

[Prashun Patel]

It's not a phrase, but since I learned what vocal fry is, it seems like everyone has it, and it drives me bats!

[Wade Lippman]

"It costs 400% less" or whatever.
100% less is zero, so what is 400% less?

[John Cole]

Transparent, as in he's being transparent.

If he was transparent you would not be able to see him. Surely there are more appropriate words - open, forthright etc.

[Robert Payne]

I detest any conversation that starts with the word "So ...". It has become commonplace, even with TV reporters who should know better.

[roger wiegand]

"With all due respect..." This just means you are about to say something disrespectful. It might be deserved, but it will be disrespectful.

Actually I love this one. It is completely accurate and more often that not the recipient the recipient doesn't figure out s/he's been dissed, making it all the funnier. "All due respect" is exactly that; if there's not much respect due, there's not much given. Most effectively employed by the Brits, who intend it as an insult. Americans seem to think it softens what follows, which completely misses the point.

[Matt Day]

It's not a phrase, but since I learned what vocal fry is, it seems like everyone has it, and it drives me bats!

You must listen to NPR as much as I do. And TAL podcast...

[Mark Blatter]

" I'm just saying"

I have come to dislike this saying more than any other, almost. It is used to allow people to say something snarky or nasty, but not take responsibility for it.

"I mean....." and they are starting a new conversation or point. They have not said anything yet, so are pre-qualifying it. Say what you mean and if you say it poorly, I will ask what you mean. I hear it all the time on NPR and when I am talking to people.