Current Phrases You Can't Stand

[doubleshuffle]

Originally Posted by pdurrant

The only usage that upsets me is "I could care less" used when the speaker meant "I couldn't care less".

I once read a longish piece by David Crystal defending that illogical usage. Something to do with intonation, IIRC.

[Pablo]

For a crime he/she didn't commit..., mainly in a book or film blurb.

[OtinG]

Originally Posted by arjaybe

I don't think I've ever heard "stand up" used that way. As a noun?

I've heard it used as, "Stand up for yourself". Also when someone is trying to give a patriotic speech and says something like, "It is time to stand up for your country and do [something]." Not sure if I’ve ever heard it used as a noun though.

[4691mls]

Originally Posted by pdurrant

I couldn't care less about any of the ones posted so far.

The only usage that upsets me is "I could care less" used when the speaker meant "I couldn't care less".

This is one of my all-time biggest peeves!

[OtinG]

Here are two more:

"In my neck of the woods many use the word 'irregardless', which is not even a word, rather than use 'regardless'."

[pdurrant]

Originally Posted by OtinG

the word 'irregardless', which is not even a word, rather than use 'regardless'."

You might just as well complain about people using both inflammable and flammable.

[issybird]

Originally Posted by pdurrant

You might just as well complain about people using both inflammable and flammable.

Or slim chance and fat chance.

[wodin]

Regifting, as in giving away something that was originally given to me, usually because I didn't like it to begin with. Fruitcakes come to mind.

Several of my other pet peeves would have to be relegated to the Politics and Religion thread. "Sources familiar with the matter" would be a rather benign example.

[arjaybe]

With all due respect.

[Bilbo1967]

Originally Posted by arjaybe

With all due respect.

Yes. Why not just be honest and write, "I think you are a f***ing idiot"

[DiapDealer]

"It is what it is"

It could never be what it isn't. Stop filling the air with pointless noise.

Also, "absolutely" used in place of "yes." "Absolutely" is a modifier. It is insufficient by itself. Absolutely what, exactly?

[4691mls]

Another one that can be annoying in place of "yes" is "no problem", depending on how it's used.

For example, if I go to a restaurant and ask if they can make a special version of a dish, perhaps leaving out an ingredient I'm allergic to, and they say "sure, no problem" that makes sense.

But if I place a standard order straight off the menu "no problem" is NOT an appropriate response. If the restaurant potentially has problems with regular menu items, then maybe I don't want to be eating there.

[PeterT]

I hate hearing

Rate of Speed

[PeterT]

Quite often I hear police spokesperson using the word "pronounced" as a short form for "pronounced dead"

[DiapDealer]

Originally Posted by PeterT

Quite often I hear police spokesperson using the word "pronounced" as a short form for "pronounced dead"

Oh, don't get me started on the public-employee-in-front-of-a-camera-speak switch that get thrown.

Point a camera at someone and suddenly it's all "alleged perpetrators," and "contacted the terrain," and other unhelpful super-silly nonsense. It's one thing if your specialized jargon helps you communicate more quickly with your associates, but when it actually makes things take longer to say than is necessary (not to mention confusing) ... just chuck it and speak normally. It wasn't making you seem smarter in the first place.