Current Phrases You Can't Stand

[4691mls]

How about news headlines like "man killed after accident on local highway". Now, "died after accident" or "died as a result of" would make sense. But if he actually died immediately, it seems like it should say "killed in accident".

[issybird]

"Not to mention" and then mentioning it.

"No offense intended" before or after deliberately insulting someone, but trying to get away with it.

[4691mls]

When political candidates drop out of a race, why do they say they are "suspending" their campaign, rather than ending it? It's not like anybody who "suspends" ever actually reactivates his/her campaign.

[DiapDealer]

"Near Miss"

Isn't that a Hit? "Near hit" would make much more sense to me.

[OtinG]

Originally Posted by DiapDealer

"Near Miss"

Isn't that a Hit? "Near hit" would make much more sense to me.

If you are talking about nuclear bombs, then perhaps a "near miss" would be just as deadly as a direct hit. However, if you are talking in astronomical terms then calling an asteroid's path as it passes 100,000 miles from the Earth, closer than the Moon BTW, a "near miss" seems quite appropriate. It certainly missed the Earth, and the Moon. It was a near miss...

[arjaybe]

Originally Posted by 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?

Sometimes you hear people say, "Absolutely, absolutely." That's pretty absolute.

I also dislike "It is what it is." Usually said while trying to duck responsibility to ameliorate a situation.

[Bilbo1967]

Our politicians seem to have developed the habit, when questioned, of saying, "Let me make this very clear", before going on to make things deliberately very unclear. Very annoying.

[Victoria]

I often listen to radio, especially the CBC. A new trendy saying that’s driving me crazy is “standing with”. I hear it at least once a day. Each time there’s a tragedy somewhere, one of our politicians will say on our behalf “we stand with the people of.....”. Even the newest promo for the CBC show, The Current, is “radio that stands with you”. It has become meaningless.

[Wetdogeared]

That's a very good question.

[doubleshuffle]

Thoughts and prayers.

[hobnail]

Originally Posted by PeterT

I hate hearing

Rate of Speed

Sort of similar to percentages over 100. Percent used to mean "parts per 100" but now the dictionary says "one part in every hundred."

[PoP]

“honestly ...” often makes me suspicious.

[Bilbo1967]

The way elite footballers here in the UK are referred to as "top top". I even heard "top top top" recently!

[pdurrant]

Originally Posted by DiapDealer

"Near Miss"

Isn't that a Hit? "Near hit" would make much more sense to me.

No.

"Near Miss" means being near someone referred to as "Miss".

But a "near miss" (which I think you meant) is not a hit. "Nearly a miss" would be a hit.

A "near miss" is a miss that is near. The adjective modifies the noun, it doesn't change its meaning.

A "near hit" would be a hit that was almost exactly at the intended point on the target.

[BetterRed]

Originally Posted by 4691mls

When political candidates drop out of a race, why do they say they are "suspending" their campaign, rather than ending it? It's not like anybody who "suspends" ever actually reactivates his/her campaign.

Maybe 'suspending' their campaign allows them to hang onto any residual loot, whereas 'ending' it might mean they'd have to give it back to the donors

And there's always the next campaign for the same or a different job. As in, if I can't be head-honcho, I'll try getting elected as Chief Leaf Sweeper-upperer.

BR